What is that circle thing?

[Mad Munchkin]

OK so I'm out to dinner last night with the inlaws and they see my car for the first time...so far so good. Then my brother-in-law points to the front bumper and says "what's this for?" Looking at the front of the car, there's a circular plug thing same color as the bumper about 5 inches to the left of the grill. What is it? I feel stupid I never even noticed it before...:eyebulge:

[ricko]

Hmmmmmmmmmm. Just went out for a look. Can't be for future lighting, or braking upgrades. An access panel for servicing maybe???????? I wonder what is directly behind it????

[Leenis24]

you can see it here in this pic


http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=189&stc=1&d=1143412804

[YarisBueller]

I haven't looked behind it myself, but I'm assuming its a tow-hook cover. Under there should be a thread for a giant hook to be screwed in so that you can tow the car that way. This is just a guess from other car designs. Buts its easy to find out what it is, just take it off ?

[DJ_SpaRky]

it is for the Tow hook, behind it should be a 1" nut welded to the bumper. there should be one on the back too.

[why?]

Indeed. I have one on my Saab too. There is prolly a tool that connects to it somewhere in the car so tow trucks can get at it.

Of course, I know with my Saab they can only use flatbeds, is that true with the Yaris as well?

And if not, why do they even need it?

[swng]

Yes, that is for emergency towing. Details are in page 242-243 of the Canadian owner's manual. That circular cover is called the "towing eyelet cover":smile:. Remove it and you will be able to install a towing eyelet so that you can be towed. The towing eyelet looks like a big ring connected to a bolt. It is in the tool bag that comes with the car.

[ricko]

Mystery solved!

[eTiMaGo]

or, the perfect mounting position for a machine gun, which will be shown in the next 007 film, where the Yaris is the Bond car... :D

[Blenjar]

lol

[dngz]

yea, your car even has the tow hook inside the lil black bag near your spare tire too i believe.

[badhabitz]

most new cars nowadays have that u unplug the plastic piece and screw on a tow hook and ur car can now be towed pretty neet so if ur car is lowered or has like a body kit or add on lips this is convenient

[Terrorize]

Yes...Tow hook is there...i have the eyelet hook thing in my glove compartment when i got my car...

According to my Toyota dealership...i asked them when i got the car...notice that circle thing on the front and also the hook at the back...they are both for towing...Toyota said those are common ways to tow the cars in Japan?? I never saw anything like it on my American cars before..so that could be it.

[nick1983]

It is for the tow hook. Whenever a dealer ship recieves a new car 9 times out of 10. the tow hook is screwed in and the colour matched plug is in the car.
The tow hook is detachible for looks and functionality. No more cracked bumper due to towing.