What is (was) this diamond shaped access panel for?

Discussion in 'Prime Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by chromebison, May 9, 2022.

  1. chromebison

    chromebison New Member

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    Hello folks. First-time poster. Hoping someone can shed some light on what these diamond-shaped covers are to the left and right of the front grill. I am now missing both and am not sure if I lost them in a car wash or they were stolen, or what was behind them was stolen. Photo is attached. From a 2021 Prius Prime XLE.

    Thanks for any help,

    cb
     

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    #1 chromebison, May 9, 2022
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Those are the mounting points for the tow hooks. The tow hooks are in a bag (typically) located in the trunk. Mine came in a triangle shaped vinyl bag which included a tire iron and they were in the underfloor bin, closest to the rear bumper, in the trunk.

    All you did was just lose the covers. There's nothing hidden back there.
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, May 9, 2022
    Marine Ray and chromebison like this.
  3. chromebison

    chromebison New Member

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    Thanks much!
     
    #3 chromebison, May 9, 2022
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  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    4th gen covers seem to have weak locking tabs, come off easy. New ones will likely need painting? Put a blob of some sort of sealant on the tabs to secure better.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, May 10, 2022
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  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Ohh? Ours is still present on the Gen 4 (and Prime... before I traded it in).
     
    #5 Tideland Prius, May 14, 2022
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  6. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Maybe true for some. Mine are still in place after 5+ years and almost 65k miles. Still, a dab of weak adhesive wouldn't be a bad idea.
     
    #6 jerrymildred, Jun 11, 2022
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  7. kenmce

    kenmce High Voltage Member

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    I tested my tow hooks just because. They were brutally hard to turn so I greased them and store them in a plastic bag in the back. Put the jack handle through the eye to turn them.
     
    #7 kenmce, Jun 26, 2022
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