It's for installing the tow eyelet. You pop the cover off and screw in the tow eyelet, found somewhere in the back with the spare and jack. The tow truck driver would then attach his winch cable to the eyelet and pull the car onto the truck.
Our salesman told us that is where they tie it down when it is shipped over from Japan. Cars made in the US don't need to be shipped on a freighter, so that's why you don't see them on all Toyotas. The Prius is 100% made in Japan, then shipped.
A boring, rational explanation. I was hoping it would have something to do with a conspiracy theory, but it doesn't.
Our salesman told us that is where they tie it down when it is shipped over from Japan. Cars made in the US don't need to be shipped on a freighter, so that's why you don't see them on all Toyotas. The Prius is 100% made in Japan, then shipped.
A boring, rational explanation. I was hoping it would have something to do with a conspiracy theory, but it doesn't.
Our salesman told us that is where they tie it down when it is shipped over from Japan. Cars made in the US don't need to be shipped on a freighter, so that's why you don't see them on all Toyotas. The Prius is 100% made in Japan, then shipped.
A boring, rational explanation. I was hoping it would have something to do with a conspiracy theory, but it doesn't.
Correct, correct, correct! Take a close look at the "tow eyelet" that is in the under trunk tray and you will notice that it is fairly scratched up, wheras the rest of the "service tools" in the tray should be brand new and have no use marks.
How do you tie down a car from one point. It wouldn't be very stable.
According to the owners manual:
If towing service is not available in an emergency, your vehicle may be temporarily towed by a cable or chain secured to the emergency towing eyelet inside of the front bumper. Use extreme caution when towing vehicles.
I believe it's existance has nothing to do with the fact that it is made in Japan vs. here. Perhaps they use it in shipping too. I have no idea. But, like I said, securing a vehicle from a single point to keep it from moving around during transport would flat out not work.
It is fastened to a pallet for shipping \with the front towing eyelet and with two braces threaded into the rear frame which are used by the manufacturers of trailer hitches for their simple mounting applications since the Prius cannot be ordered with any type of towing option.
Quite a few cars are shipped with this holdown system and most trailer hitch manufacturers use the threaded holes for their installations.
I would have thought that it would have been more effective to have the eyelet in the center of the front of the car if it was always used for shipping. Even just for towing purposes, it is at an awkward spot.
Check out what is behind the center of the bumper and then that of the frame on the side.
Besides, the side is easier to get to with the extension cord!
I always read the manual for my new cars--Prius included. The first day I highlight in yellow and star what I need to know and skip a lot of the really technical. Buying a new car is very exciting, so going through the manual is actually rather fun.
Our salesman told us that is where they tie it down when it is shipped over from Japan. Cars made in the US don't need to be shipped on a freighter, so that's why you don't see them on all Toyotas. The Prius is 100% made in Japan, then shipped.
If you look under your Prius you will see two tie down loops at the front and two at the rear. The hole is exclusively for the tow hook. It's not used in shipping. They drive the cars onto and off the boat. The tow hook is offset to avoid the license plate and still tie in to the frame (not the unsupported center of the bumper).
As far as a Prius being "assembled" in Portland, final assembly is done there. Things like "port installed leather" and other options. The car comes basically finished from Japan. I'm not really sure why some leather is done in Japan and some at the port, but it probably has to do with scheduling and changes in requirements (dealers sell more leather that was shipped while the boat is on route for example). It might also have to do with meeting domestic content rules for a lower duty rate.
Really? Is that what the salesman said? Sweet, because I have a really nice bridge that I'd like to sell you. Please forward your information.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Toyota Prius Forum
104.2K posts
14.6K members
Since 2002
A forum community dedicated to Toyota Prius Hybrid owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, batteries, troubleshooting, economy, maintenance, and more!