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what the heck is this piece sticking out?

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by edjusted, Sep 4, 2008.

  1. edjusted

    edjusted New Member

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    One more newbie question. There's this rubber-band-like piece sticking out from under the read seat. See pics below. What is this? Can I just pull it off? Or is supposed to be tucked under or connected to something?

    (I just got the car last week, and nobody has even sat in the back seat.)

    DSC05014.JPG

    DSC05016.JPG

    DSC05015.JPG
     
  2. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Coould it be a piece of fresh spagetti from Japan?
     
  3. bazineta

    bazineta New Member

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    My money's on a rogue udon noodle.
     
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    good point. I've never seen it before. You can try lifting the seat and taking a look. I believe the seat bottom is held by two (strong) buttons.
     
  5. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    Mine had that when it was new. It is similar to a rubber band. I must have pulled it off, it isn't there any more. Or maybe one of the dogs chewed it off. :madgrin:
     
  6. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    It's true, the seats just pull up.

    At a Prius get-together someone - who will remain nameless - decided to use my car to show someone how easily the back seat comes out.
     
  7. Garmy

    Garmy Junior Member

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    STOP! Don't pull it off....It's the motor!
     
  8. greylar

    greylar New Member

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    LOL Oh no the rubber bands broke and the squirrel got away!
    G
     
  9. toyotechwv

    toyotechwv Toyota Technician

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    These cars as well as most other Toyotas have plastice seat covers when they arrive at the dealer and are held on by large rubber bands. When the tech did the pdi at took the seat cover off the band apparently broke and he missed it. Just pull it out.
     
  10. Jack66

    Jack66 Kinda Jovial Member

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    It is the Prius version of "Pull my finger..."
     
  11. edjusted

    edjusted New Member

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    Haha, thanks guys. I'm still at that "new owner every potential flaw is a big deal" stage. I'll just yank the noodle/motor mount off. And about those squirrels...how many more horsepower do they add?
     
  12. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    Well you have been feeding them, right? If not, then probably not much anymore!
     
  13. bjjb99

    bjjb99 Junior Member

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    Hamsters can generate about 0.00054 horsepower each. If we scale that by the relative weights of each animal, then a squirrel could generate about 0.0034 horsepower.

    Source for hamster power -- Otherpower.com's Hamster-Powered Night Light200 milliamps at 2 volts = 0.4 watts = 0.00054 horsepower

    Average weight of a hamster -- 90 grams = 0.198 pounds
    Average weight of a gray squirrel -- 20 ounces = 1.25 pounds

    BJJB
     
  14. Jack66

    Jack66 Kinda Jovial Member

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    Now this is good information -- and it is backed up by facts and raw data. Well done! Just the kind of post PC needs more of. :D