Emergency towing hole in front bumper..

[dvd]

Okay, so in reading the manual, I understand that there's a towing attachment in the trunk that can be screwed into the front bumper for emergency towing purposes. And I see the cover for said attachment on the front bumper..

So how do I get that cover off? It doesn't seem to push in, and perhaps I'm just not bold enough to pop it out. Do you have to somehow reach under the bumper and push it out from the inside?

Has anybody done this? Just one of those things I want to understand how to do before I have to do it under less than ideal circumstances. Like trying out a fire extinguisher, for instance.

Or is this one of those deals where once it's been removed you have to the dealer fix it?

Thanks!

[ammiels]

Use the edge of a credit card or such like.

[TonyPSchaefer]

Try this thread:
http://www.priuschat.com/forums/front-bump...cle-vt5265.html

[bruceha_2000]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dvd\";p=\"68615)</div>

Do you have to somehow reach under the bumper and push it out from the inside?
[/b]

No way, I had the same question and looked/felt under the bumper. You can't get to the inside of the plug.

I've not popped mine since I'm afraid doing so might scrape the bumper or something if I'm not careful. I did see a similar plug on another Japanese car. The plug had a small indentation on the outside edge. It looked like it was intended to be popped with a flat head screwdriver.

[jayman]

When mine conked on me last November, the flat-bed tow operator was afraid of doing damage to my car as he couldn't find any "strong" tow points under the front to pull the car up onto the deck.

I got the tow eye out of the back and he used a very small, thin wide blade screwdriver to pop the cover off. Screwed the tow eye in, put the CVT in N, and he easily pulled the Prius up onto the deck.

He then removed the tow eye and popped the cover back on. I've looked at the trim cover very closely and there isn't so much as a nick in it.

I guess it wouldn't hurt to find a suitable wide, thin flat-blade screwdriver or other tool and put it in the Prius next to the tow eye. Just in case you need it so you won't end up butchering the trim cover.

[TonyPSchaefer]

That's a great idea, Jayman. I think the next time I'm in a home store I'll pick up a narrow plastic spakel knife.

[jayman]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer\";p=\"68676)</div>

That's a great idea, Jayman.  I think the next time I'm in a home store I'll pick up a narrow plastic spakel knife.[/b]

Tony:

I got a small woodworking tool but it most closely matches the tool the tow operator used.

Like anything else, it certainly pays to have this stuff ready before you need it.

Eg: have you tried out the scissor jack supplied with the car? My God what a POS! I found a neat little hydraulic 1.5 ton floor jack on sale at Canadian Tire that even comes with a hard plastic carry case. It's much faster than the scissor jack and seems much more sturdy.

You don't need anything larger for a car like a Prius. I went to NAPA to find a rubber insert for the lifting cup so I wouldn't damage the lifting points on the car, though a piece of 2x4 would work too. Oh, I also changed the hydraulic fluid to a semi-synthetic fluid so the jack will still work in winter.

After hearing the horror stories about dead 12v batteries here, I also got a 700amp booster box at Canadian Tire, also on sale. I've had to use it a couple of times now to help boost other motorists and it works well. If you're in BFE and your 12v battery conks, it sure beats a long walk. Just remember to charge it once a month. I mark on my calender the first Saturday of the new month "charge booster box" to make up for my Junior Alzheimer's.

How about a large rated ABC fire extinguisher? It can make all the difference between a minor event and a major tragedy. Ditto for a well-stocked first aid kit and an emergency supply kit (Water, MRE, flares, etc).

Have you tried those new LED flashlights? I picked one up at SIR (Large sporting goods warehouse here in Winnipeg) last fall and what an improvement over traditional flashlights. The battery lasts one h*** of a lot longer!

[Tideland Prius]

Jayman, are you talking about Lumileds (sp?) Flashlights?

[jayman]

Mine is Inova. I think S.I.R. also carries Maglite too.

[Tideland Prius]

ohhh Inova. I have silver one with....if I remember correctly (cause I'm not at home right now) 7? bulbs? I took the blue LEDs since they didn't have the white one when I bought it.