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Front Bumper Circle

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by ssmithri, Nov 7, 2004.

  1. ssmithri

    ssmithri New Member

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    Hi all,

    I have done a search on all of the forums and cannot figure this out.

    I took delivery of a 2005 Tideland Pearl #5 on Friday and love it, but everyone I have shown the car to has asked me what the circle in the front bumper is for.

    I is 1.5-2 inches in diameter, on the driver's side, and looks like it could be pulled out/off... what the heck is it?
     
  2. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    There's a towing eyelet that screws in there for emergency towing...the eyelet is back by the spare. This is covered in your owner's manual.
     
  3. ssmithri

    ssmithri New Member

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    Thank you!
     
  4. bruceha_2000

    bruceha_2000 Senior Member

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    What I want to know is:
    How do you get it out without dinging the bumper paint? There is NO way to push it from the back because you can't get your hand anywhere near it. I can imagine some tow truck operator ripping it out with a big screwdriver and damaging both the plug and the bumper.

    I kind of wish the dealer hadn't put it in before I picked up the car so I could see how it attaches to the bumper.
     
  5. LungCookie

    LungCookie New Member

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    Use a credit card to pry it out.
     
  6. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    I thought that was where the cord comes out so I can plug it in and charge the batteries. I keep waiting for them to get low, but every time I check, they're always about in the middle.

    (Hell yeah, I'm kidding) :-D
     
  7. BobA

    BobA New Member

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    Tony don't write that stuff someone will look all over for the plug....
    my question is if you (can) remove the cover... will it stay in if you replace it... or will you have to buy a new bumper..

    Bob Andersen

    ssmithri, Congrats on being one of the newest in the group
     
  8. swepri

    swepri New Member

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    You can keep the cover, but have to change the rest of the car :D
    Make sure you order the same color.
     
  9. nathanvoght

    nathanvoght New Member

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    My dealer told me the eyelet covers a small anchor that was used to secure the Prius on the boat over from Japan.... (I have no idea if this is true?)
     
  10. bruceha_2000

    bruceha_2000 Senior Member

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    I don't know for sure, but I would say at LEAST that if it is true, it is not the only attachment they used. I haven't looked under the Prius, but my 'built in Japan' Odyssey had 4 tie down loops. 1 attachment point would result in cars slamming all over the place! :)

    I doubt they used the front bumper towing eye as an attachment point but might have used it to pull the car into position.
     
  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Just use a screwdriver (covered with a thin cloth or tissue) and pry the eyelet cover out.
     
  12. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

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    Tony I thought ur joke was funny! On another forun somebody was complaining that the engine quit everytime they came to a stop.
     
  13. BobA

    BobA New Member

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    OK...so I pry it our...put the eye in and pull the Prius around...

    NOW I want to put the cover back in place...how do I do that???

    Bob Andersen
     
  14. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Can you snap it back on? I haven't tried but I'm sure the owner's manual said you could. I remember reading it in both the Prius and the Camry manuals
     
  15. BobA

    BobA New Member

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    Maybe I'll drop by the dealer's, with screwdriver and cloth.. remove the one on their DEMO... if it just snaps back in easily... I'll hang a short wire with a big plug on my car... I bought a REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT flag just for this purpose... I'll take pictures...haha

    Bob Andersen
     
  16. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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  17. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    That's great! I want to see that.
     
  18. roger

    roger New Member

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    this is covered in the manual.
     
  19. BobA

    BobA New Member

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    That's like a book and it has to be read... I usually try just pushing buttons, turning things, trial and LOTS of error....:oops:
     
  20. roger

    roger New Member

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    your choice.