Car Wash Problem - Gen 4

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by PDWhite, Aug 14, 2018.

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  1. PDWhite

    PDWhite Junior Member

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    I have a 2016 Four Touring, which I love. The only problem I've had is with putting the car though a carwash. (At my age, washing and detailing by hand frequently is no longer doable.)

    I take it regularly to a local 'all cloth' carwash and found a semi-frequent problem. The force of the air from the drier gets under the car and blows the front towing eye covers out of the front bumper, tearing them off. The first time this happened the carwash, (with some persistance,) made payment for the damage. That consisted of buying a new cover and painting it. - Now it's happened again, this time on the other side. Again, they said they'd fix it.

    They also mentioned that if this becomes a regular problem they would be willing to put duct tape over the covers before running the car through the wash. I have some doubts about what that would do to the chip protection film over the nose of the car, as well as being a real pain.

    Since this has happened twice on the same car, I suspect that it may a common problem on the Gen 4. Has anyone else has this problem? Please RSVP.
     
    #1 PDWhite, Aug 14, 2018
  2. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    There were some reports a couple of years ago - here's one:

    Quick Fix for Loose Tow-Hook Cover | PriusChat
     
    #2 alanclarkeau, Aug 14, 2018
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  3. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    This might be a better idea than duct tape. Have a piece of clear bra installed over it. It is clear and can be removed in an emergency. I have the clear bra on the front of my car and love it.
     
    #3 padroo, Aug 14, 2018
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  4. liquidtenmillion

    liquidtenmillion Active Member

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    You could also take the covers off by hand before washing them. I've hit mine with a pressure washer before and had them come off, but I could always just pop them back in.
     
    #4 liquidtenmillion, Aug 16, 2018
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  5. PDWhite

    PDWhite Junior Member

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    A year or so of pressure washing on my car never popped mine off. It's obvious that the backpressure from the carwash blowers did.

    When necessary, I think the covers are removable by a poke from the inside rather than prying them out using a credit card. If so, it may be possible to use a pair of stainless steel (paper) clips inserted from the inside to prevent another blow out.

    I will probably a bit of research to see if this experiment can be done.
     
    #5 PDWhite, Aug 16, 2018
  6. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    #6 Prodigyplace, Aug 16, 2018
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  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah fourth gen tow lug covers seem to come off real easy, the opposite of third gen, which were really tenacious: you risked damaging the paint surround. Maybe there were complaints with the former, and they swung too far the other direction?
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Aug 16, 2018
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  8. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

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    What are those tow hooks for? If you happen to be stuck in the mud and they need to attach a cable and pull you out? Or your car is floundering in a high flowing river? What are the chances of that happening…

    Maybe consider just using some type of strong glue and stick them back in there, permanently. You could always pry it out with a screwdriver in an emergency.
     
    #8 Starship16, Aug 16, 2018
    Last edited: Aug 16, 2018
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  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Something strong but flexible, say dabs of silicone sealant?
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Aug 16, 2018
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  10. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

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    Yep, that's what I was thinking of but couldn't come up with a name.
     
    #10 Starship16, Aug 16, 2018
  11. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    When it gets old and decrepit, the flat-bed driver will attach his cable to the tow-hook to pull it on his truck as it goes for burial. Hopefully not for a few decades.
     
    #11 alanclarkeau, Aug 16, 2018
  12. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    Maybe clear packing tape, it's clear, cheap and fast.
     
    #12 padroo, Aug 16, 2018
  13. goldfinger

    goldfinger Active Member

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    Its a prius, you're supposed to let the rain wash it.
     
    #13 goldfinger, Aug 17, 2018
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  14. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

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    Yeah, but here in Hollyweird we don't get any rain! Maybe I can drive thru the park when the sprinklers are on.
     
    #14 Starship16, Aug 17, 2018
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