Front Bumper Circle

ssmithri · 11-07-2004, 09:54 PM

Hi all,

I have done a search on all of the forums and cannot figure this out.

I took delivery of a 2005 Tideland Pearl #5 on Friday and love it, but everyone I have shown the car to has asked me what the circle in the front bumper is for.

I is 1.5-2 inches in diameter, on the driver's side, and looks like it could be pulled out/off... what the heck is it?

**efusco** · 11-07-2004, 09:58 PM

There's a towing eyelet that screws in there for emergency towing...the eyelet is back by the spare. This is covered in your owner's manual.

ssmithri · 11-07-2004, 10:01 PM

Thank you!

bruceha_2000 · 11-08-2004, 01:41 PM

What I want to know is:
How do you get it out without dinging the bumper paint? There is NO way to push it from the back because you can't get your hand anywhere near it. I can imagine some tow truck operator ripping it out with a big screwdriver and damaging both the plug and the bumper.

I kind of wish the dealer hadn't put it in before I picked up the car so I could see how it attaches to the bumper.

LungCookie · 11-08-2004, 01:48 PM

Use a credit card to pry it out.

**TonyPSchaefer** · 11-08-2004, 11:29 PM

I thought that was where the cord comes out so I can plug it in and charge the batteries. I keep waiting for them to get low, but every time I check, they're always about in the middle.

(Hell yeah, I'm kidding) :-D

BobA · 11-09-2004, 12:36 AM

Tony don't write that stuff someone will look all over for the plug....
my question is if you (can) remove the cover... will it stay in if you replace it... or will you have to buy a new bumper..

Bob Andersen

ssmithri, Congrats on being one of the newest in the group

swepri · 11-09-2004, 05:42 AM

You can keep the cover, but have to change the rest of the car

Make sure you order the same color.

nathanvoght · 11-09-2004, 07:39 AM

My dealer told me the eyelet covers a small anchor that was used to secure the Prius on the boat over from Japan.... (I have no idea if this is true?)

bruceha_2000 · 11-09-2004, 08:00 AM

Quote:

My dealer told me the eyelet covers a small anchor that was used to secure the Prius on the boat over from Japan.... (I have no idea if this is true?)

I don't know for sure, but I would say at LEAST that if it is true, it is not the only attachment they used. I haven't looked under the Prius, but my 'built in Japan' Odyssey had 4 tie down loops. 1 attachment point would result in cars slamming all over the place! :-)

I doubt they used the front bumper towing eye as an attachment point but might have used it to pull the car into position.

11-07-2004, 09:54 PM	#1
ssmithri Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 41 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Front Bumper Circle Hi all, I have done a search on all of the forums and cannot figure this out. I took delivery of a 2005 Tideland Pearl #5 on Friday and love it, but everyone I have shown the car to has asked me what the circle in the front bumper is for. I is 1.5-2 inches in diameter, on the driver's side, and looks like it could be pulled out/off... what the heck is it?

11-07-2004, 10:01 PM	#3
ssmithri Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 41 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Front Bumper Circle Thank you!

11-09-2004, 12:36 AM	#7
BobA Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Denver CO Posts: 728 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Front Bumper Circle Tony don't write that stuff someone will look all over for the plug.... my question is if you (can) remove the cover... will it stay in if you replace it... or will you have to buy a new bumper.. Bob Andersen ssmithri, Congrats on being one of the newest in the group

11-09-2004, 05:42 AM	#8
swepri Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Motala, Sweden Posts: 71 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Front Bumper Circle You can keep the cover, but have to change the rest of the car Make sure you order the same color.

11-09-2004, 07:39 AM	#9
nathanvoght Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Howell, Michigan Posts: 8 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Front Bumper Circle My dealer told me the eyelet covers a small anchor that was used to secure the Prius on the boat over from Japan.... (I have no idea if this is true?)

11-07-2004, 09:58 PM	#2
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 14,050 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 23	There's a towing eyelet that screws in there for emergency towing...the eyelet is back by the spare. This is covered in your owner's manual.

11-08-2004, 01:41 PM	#4
bruceha_2000 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: South Burlington, VT Posts: 2,191 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	What I want to know is: How do you get it out without dinging the bumper paint? There is NO way to push it from the back because you can't get your hand anywhere near it. I can imagine some tow truck operator ripping it out with a big screwdriver and damaging both the plug and the bumper. I kind of wish the dealer hadn't put it in before I picked up the car so I could see how it attaches to the bumper.

11-08-2004, 01:48 PM	#5
LungCookie Join Date: May 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 67 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Use a credit card to pry it out.

11-08-2004, 11:29 PM	#6
TonyPSchaefer Ruler of Omicron Persei 8 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 8,340 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 4 Times in 2 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 15	I thought that was where the cord comes out so I can plug it in and charge the batteries. I keep waiting for them to get low, but every time I check, they're always about in the middle. (Hell yeah, I'm kidding) :-D

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