G37 Sedan

Manual trunk release

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Old 05-14-2013 | 05:27 PM
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Manual trunk release

The owner's manual makes reference to a manual trunk release (3-20 and 3-21 for my 2012 MY). However, unless you got super long arms, there is no way I could reach the pull to open the trunk from the back seat. Mind you, I'm no midget, 6' tall with normal length extremities.

This may or may not be an issue in the coupe. Should something happen where the outside button, insider switch, or fob doesn't open the trunk it's quite absurd to have to call roadside assistance to open it, if they even can. Worse yet, now your seats are dirty.

This isn't pretty, but it gets the job done! I still need to reach in, but it works each and every time I chose the cable tie (10" or 12") because it's rigid, and when closed, it points towards the access door.


From the back of the car, facing the trunk.


From inside the back seat, facing towards the rear.
Attached Thumbnails Manual trunk release-trunk_release.jpg   Manual trunk release-trunk_release_from_inside.jpg  

Last edited by JSolo; 04-24-2014 at 02:36 PM.
Old 05-14-2013 | 07:17 PM
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In the coupe you can fold down the rear seats, so access to a release handle switch is a bit easier. Keep in mind that the only time one would need such access is if there’s a completely dead battery, or if someone accidently locks themselves in the trunk.
Old 05-14-2013 | 07:44 PM
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ROFL. How often does someone lock themselves in the trunk? Maybe you meant locked themselves out of the trunk..

The other thread about the battery (primary) dying made me revisit this topic. It would suck to be 2K miles away from home in the middle of nowhere and not be able to get at your belonging in your trunk.
Old 05-14-2013 | 08:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Chekov
In the coupe you can fold down the rear seats
Really? That surprises me somewhat. Often manufacturers forgo the fold-down rear seat for added structural rigidity. Either way, why would the Coupe support fold-down rears, but not the sedan?

OP, simple and effective idea. I think I'm going to go find me a zip tie and be done with this.
Old 05-14-2013 | 08:52 PM
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I thought that is supposed to be the emergency trunk release, in the event a child gets locked in the trunk. All vehicles with conventional trunks are required to be equipped with something like this.
Old 05-14-2013 | 09:06 PM
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Chekov is right.

From 3-21 of the owner's manual

The interior trunk lid release mechanism
allows opening of the trunk lid in the event
that people become locked inside the trunk
or in the event of the loss of electrical
power such as a discharged battery.
A trunk failing to open is rare, but what do you do if you can't get it open...
Old 05-14-2013 | 09:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Rochester
Really? That surprises me somewhat. Often manufacturers forgo the fold-down rear seat for added structural rigidity. Either way, why would the Coupe support fold-down rears, but not the sedan?

OP, simple and effective idea. I think I'm going to go find me a zip tie and be done with this.
Yes, really. Speaking about my ’08 coupe (I’m not sure about later years), in addition to a rear seat release switch in the trunk, in the car at the lower rear seat back area between the two seat backs there’s a red tab that when fished out can be pulled, unlocking the rear seats, so they can be folded down. You then have open access to the trunk.
Old 05-14-2013 | 09:54 PM
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Yeah, i love the fold down back seats in the coupe. I have been able to carry things that sedans couldnt: snowboard, tables, 50" TV.
Old 05-14-2013 | 09:57 PM
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thats meant for stolen people that are shoved in the trunk.
Old 05-14-2013 | 10:18 PM
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Originally Posted by JaxG
thats meant for stolen people that are shoved in the trunk.
That is exactly what it is, the kidnap release handle. Required on all cars manufactured after 2002.

Ford
Manual trunk release-zi7xl.jpg

Saab
Old 05-15-2013 | 08:17 AM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by Modme
Yeah, i love the fold down back seats in the coupe. I have been able to carry things that sedans couldnt: snowboard, tables, 50" TV.
I believe you guys about the Coupe. What's not to believe? It is what it is.

Perhaps with the G, structural rigidity isn't compromised by having a hole behind the back-seat, like it is in other cars. All cars are different. And considering the useless, breadbox-sized trunk in the Coupe, being able to fold down the rear seat would be a necessity.

I wish mine would fold down.
Old 05-15-2013 | 10:06 AM
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This would have came in real handy when my battery died on me this past weekend. It's so hard to reach your arms through the armrest to find this latch!!
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