Closing Back Hatch of Prius -- kinda of stupid??

The drawing is guiding you to a handle on the inside of the hatch... pull on that :director:

 

After lowering the hatch using the handle, the Toyota emblem above the license plate is a good place to push to close it.

 

I hadn't found that inside grip for a while either. A swift pull and the hatch will close on its own without any more pushing from the outside. If you are concerned, feel free to add this to your owner's manual, "Remove hand from inside grip before point of closure."

PA P

 

It appears that this is a common hatchback problem. My wife could not reach up inside and pull the hatch down to close it.

I found a handle that attaches to the two bottom license plate holes and makes it easy to close the hatch with one hand. I've had it on for over 4 years and it works great.

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Humm i feel short....i am not sure i can properly reach the "spoiler" when the hatch is open (will have to double check)......I just palm the hatch and bring it down, doesnt take much to close...

 

Agreed.

 

I gotta' go with this system, too. The spoiler feels like it would break off. After trying several things I found myself using the emblem without even realizing it. Just seemed natural, sans spoiler.

Bob

 

Hi Kristi,

The rear spoiler is mounted with four bolts and three clips, so it should be attached quite securely. Hopefully by now you've found the inside grip for your right hand to pull the hatch downwards. Then you can smoothly shift your hand to either the Toyota emblem or the license plate (the latter is what I prefer) to complete closing the hatch.

If you have the hatch light switch turned on, so that the light will come on when the hatch is open, then you can look at the light to verify that it is off, hence the hatch is correctly closed. Also, the door ajar light will be on if the hatch is not correctly closed.

Glad to hear that your mice problem is under control, or at least the surviving mice are smart enough to not allow themselves to get caught.

 

Don't feel bad for not knowing! I had my Chrysler 300C for almost TWO YEARS before someone showed me the little hand grip inside the trunk lid! I had been thinking all along that Chrysler was so stupid for making such a nice car with all the luxuries, but you had to put your hand on the dirty trunk to shut it! When I got my Prius this week that was one of the first things I looked for, lol! :humble:

 

There is a hatch light?

Guess I better go out after dark and check this out.

Bob

 

Sounds perilous.

 

I can't reach that high either. You know the little round thing the latch goes through? That's what I have always grabbed to pull it down. Took me a while to find the inside handle too cyberprius, so don't beat yourself up.

 

The rear spoiler is a bad place to push on when closing the hatch. I did it a few times when I first bought the car and one day I heard a sickening cracking sound. I have not touched it again except to wash the thing. lol

I close the hatch by pulling on the inside handle and then pushing down on the license plate.

 

Do we have to spank you now?

 

Well another Prius puzzle solved ... again.

Kristi the punishment you have set yourself is too soft.
I think you should seek out and watch the entire series of ...
Monty Python's Flying Circus.:couch2::der:
And now for something completely different.

I use inner handle and emblem.
I really don't like the pull hard on the inner handle and hope it's hard enough to slam shut. Often it isn't and when it is it seems to slam hard putting unnecessary stress on the aluminium hatch.

 

Killer Rabbits! Killer Rabbits!

Use the grip on the inside of the hatch to close it! A frim tug does the trick, no pushing on the out side anywhere.

 

BAD Kristi, shame.....

Not so much worried out where you put your hand to close the hatch but HOW you're closing the hatch. There should be no reason to SLAM it.

I usually pull it half way down, middle of my chest, and then put a finger or 2 on the back below the license plate or on top under the spoiler and almost let it fall, pushing gently. NEVER SLAM THE DOORS OR THE HATCH. If I didn't push enough and it didn't close all the way I'll open it a couple inches and give it a firm push to close.

The feeling you're getting of impending doom is correct, but not because of where you put your hands, but because you're SLAMMING THE HATCH. Now stop it or the Prii Gods, and dealership, will tell you a couple things you don't want to hear, followed by $$$$

The doors get the thumb close technique, hatch gets the one or two finger push, and the hood gets the 3 to 4 inch drop and little push if needed deal.