G37 Sedan

Manual trunk release

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-14-2013, 05:27 PM
  #1  
JSolo
Just say no!!!!!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (14)
 
JSolo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: People's Republic of IL
Posts: 6,105
Received 588 Likes on 492 Posts
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
  #2  
Chekov
Senior Citizen

 
Chekov's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 1,984
Received 87 Likes on 66 Posts
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
  #3  
JSolo
Just say no!!!!!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (14)
 
JSolo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: People's Republic of IL
Posts: 6,105
Received 588 Likes on 492 Posts
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
  #4  
Rochester
Administrator
iTrader: (9)
 
Rochester's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 19,043
Received 4,647 Likes on 3,477 Posts
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
  #5  
dpattana
Registered Member
iTrader: (1)
 
dpattana's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 89
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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
  #6  
JSolo
Just say no!!!!!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (14)
 
JSolo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: People's Republic of IL
Posts: 6,105
Received 588 Likes on 492 Posts
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
  #7  
Chekov
Senior Citizen

 
Chekov's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 1,984
Received 87 Likes on 66 Posts
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
  #8  
Modme
Registered Member
iTrader: (17)
 
Modme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: So Cal
Posts: 1,585
Likes: 0
Received 80 Likes on 56 Posts
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
  #9  
JaxG
Registered User
 
JaxG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 260
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
thats meant for stolen people that are shoved in the trunk.
Old 05-14-2013, 10:18 PM
  #10  
Black Betty
Lexus Defector
iTrader: (60)
 
Black Betty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 21,148
Received 2,087 Likes on 1,267 Posts
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  
Rochester
Administrator
iTrader: (9)
 
Rochester's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 19,043
Received 4,647 Likes on 3,477 Posts
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
  #12  
AMai1215
Registered User
iTrader: (3)
 
AMai1215's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SoCal(714)
Posts: 302
Received 31 Likes on 18 Posts
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!!
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
blnewt
D.I.Y. Installations/Modifications
37
10-17-2020 11:12 AM
Bennyjoel
Newbie Corner
5
09-30-2015 11:56 PM
Allboutcali
Newbie Corner
1
09-26-2015 03:43 PM



Quick Reply: Manual trunk release



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:23 PM.