Emergency Towing

[Meld]

Last weekend, I was at an event where the parking was in a field and after some very heavy showers on Saturday afternoon, many cars were being towed out by tractors.  I got out OK, probably through a combination of being parked at the top of the field facing downhill, front wheel drive, a gentle right foot and Michelin's excellent Cross Climate tyres.

However, had I needed assistance, I would have struggled to attach the emergency towing eye.  Has anyone successfully done this?  Page 163 of the handbook purports to show me how to do it, but the description is next to useless and a careful examination of my car reveals no sign of there being a "towing eyelet cover" to remove.  

Equally, there does appear to be a towing eyelet cover at the back, which doesn't get a mention in the handbook.

Anyone able to explain it, or better still show some photos?

Thanks.

 

[flash22]

Pop the cap off, insert towing eye and screw in - the wheel brace through the towing helps as it can be tight is it's never been used

flat tow in neutral below 3mph ignition in aux mode any more and the hybrid system will throw a fit

there is no eye at the back iirc there should be a tie down point/ loop under the car

[Meld]

Thanks - my question is where's the cap?  Search as I have, it's not obvious on my car.

Has anyone a picture of it open?

[flash22]

if you look at the front grille about halfway up

eg. https://milautoparts.es/en/code_product/53128-02170/

there is also the GRS type grille what is different

[RabButler]

The front towing point is behind a removable piece of the front grill.

 

[Talking Hoarse]

15 hours ago, Meld said:

Last weekend, I was at an event where the parking was in a field and after some very heavy showers on Saturday afternoon, many cars were being towed out by tractors.  I got out OK, probably through a combination of being parked at the top of the field facing downhill, front wheel drive, a gentle right foot and Michelin's excellent Cross Climate tyres.

Sounds just like parking @ Cheltenham Festival last week.   I was there all week (we work race days) and simply refuse to park anywhere I think I wont get out.  We are there rather early each day though.  

Good feedback about CrossClimates - thanks - heading that way after Falkens are done

I too have been unable to find the tow eye @ front of my Corolla.  The rear one is plain to see.   

[TonyHSD]

Suitable tyres has always been the most important thing when we are talking about similar situations, however these cars can play you a joke and leave you stack if both driving wheels loose grip equally.
The car has traction control that works wonders but one of the wheels should have grip , if both loose grip the car cuts off all power from the hybrid system and the car won’t move at all.
If anything like that happens turn off traction control and with moderate acceleration and wheels spins you can get yourself out of trouble. 👍

[Meld]

I have just had another close look at my car and I still can't Identify exactly where this mysterious cover I am supposed to remove is.

Anybody and ideas?

 

[TonyHSD]

1 hour ago, Meld said:

I have just had another close look at my car and I still can't Identify exactly where this mysterious cover I am supposed to remove is.

Anybody and ideas?

 

You can try here with slim screwdriver.