Circular preforation on front of car.

It is for the tow hook

 

I believe that's the cover for the TOWING bolt. You have a screw on eyebolt in the back of the car with the jack and stuff.

Vince.

 

It's in the manual, but honestly, the dealer should have shown you all of that when you picked up the car. Oh silly me; what dream world am I living in?

Tom

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Nov 5 2006, 05:06 PM) [snapback]344280[/snapback]</div>

Yep, my dealer went over this w/me when I picked up the car.

It's interesting to see how poorly it seems some dealers are informing buyers about various things. It's either that or the owners weren't paying close attention.

Another example: someone else posted about the scenario of someone driving away w/o the smart key. Again, my dealer went over that w/me too.

 

Tow Hook!

 

It is the towing eyelet as described in the Toyota Prius Manual.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Nov 5 2006, 08:06 PM) [snapback]344280[/snapback]</div>

When I picked up my car, my dealer was asking ME questions.

 

I'd be happy to let the dealers off the hook for the tow hook location... if they'd also stop telling people that the B shift position was for "battery" or some such nonsense.

 

My 2007 Touring is due any day.

The ACCURATE INFORMATION level of Prius salespeople [not wonderful] was again confirmed when we were looking at 2007's to observe the differences between Package 6 factory-installed leather and Package 5 port-installed leather. This "Internet Salesman" assured me that all leather was port-installed. I was nice... in assuring him that Package 6 was factory installed. After his puzzled response, he went and checked and discovered that I was right. This again confirms that many Prius owners do know more that the salespeople.

In their defense I would add that with so many Toyota models available, it must be quite a challenge to know the peculiarities of each and every one.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Warwind @ Nov 6 2006, 08:24 AM) [snapback]344427[/snapback]</div>

Same here. Scary.

 

Hopefully you'll never need it !!

 

When I went to pick up my car, the salesman had trouble figuring out how to start it! Also, he told me that if I use the "B" setting on the shifter, I will really save on fuel. That's why I will NEVER go to my dealer for repairs, except as a last resort. I sometimes wonder how much training they receive when a new model comes out???

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(derk @ Nov 6 2006, 02:17 PM) [snapback]344712[/snapback]</div>

The sales people did their job. They got me the car I wanted and did so promptly.

I won't bore you with the rest of my story except to say I got a letter of apology from Corporate HQ. I did find out that that there is little connection between sales and service except that the people may be acquainted. I find the service manger and his people treat me quite differently (and better). They actually seem to know what they are talking about. Unless you know that the service is poor, you might benefit by giving them a chance.

 

I agree that you cannot judge the competence of the service department based on the knowledge level of the salesman. Salesmen are hired based on their ability to sell, not on their understanding of the cars.

That's one of the things I liked about Honda: When I bought my 1989 Civic I was invited to a new-owner symposium, presented by the service department. Toyota would do well to immitate that, especially for a car as different as the Prius.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Nov 6 2006, 08:27 PM) [snapback]344786[/snapback]</div>

My dealership does that (Newark Toyotaworld). They break out the hybrid owners with a Prius tech.

- Tom