What is a tow hook?

The car towing hook (also called eye bolt, ring or loop ) a small detail that saves you from big trouble.

Many drivers only start thinking about the towing eye (commonly referred to as the "tow hook" or "loop") when their car is already in a ditch or broken down in the middle of an intersection. At that moment, panic sets in: Where do I attach the rope? Why isn't there a hole in the bumper? Where is that metal ring? Although it is a small car part, not knowing how to use it can cost you not only a damaged bumper but also pose a serious risk to traffic safety.

In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about towing eyes: where to find them, how to screw them in correctly, and the most common mistakes drivers make.

Where to Find the Towing Eye?
In older cars, towing eyes were usually welded to the bottom of the chassis and clearly visible. However, in modern cars, for the sake of better aerodynamics and aesthetics, these loops are hidden.
There are two elements you need to locate:
    1. The Mounting Point. It is hidden in the front and rear bumpers behind a small, usually square or round plastic cover.
    2. The Eye (Hook) Itself. This is a metal rod with a thread on one end and a ring on the other. It is usually kept in the trunk, within the spare wheel well, or in the tool kit alongside the jack and the wheel wrench.

How to Properly Prepare the Car for Towing?
If you need to tow the car, you must first remove the protective cover on the bumper. On many models, it is enough to press one edge of the cover (usually marked with a small arrow or indentation), and it will pop open. in other cases, you might need a flathead screwdriver or the tip of your car key to carefully pry the cover open.

Once you find the threaded hole, the most important moment arrives—screwing in the eye.
Important! Check the thread direction. Both left-hand (counter-clockwise) and standard right-hand (clockwise) options are available. 

Many drivers are surprised when they try to screw the eye in the usual direction (clockwise) and it doesn't turn. This is because a large proportion of towing eyes feature a left-hand (reverse) thread. 

Common Mistakes and Dangers.
Although it seems simple, incorrect use of the towing eye can result in expensive repairs.
    1. Not Screwing the Eye in Fully. This is one of the most dangerous mistakes. The eye must be screwed in all the way. If you leave it holding onto only a few threads, the thread can be ripped out during towing (especially during a jerk). The eye, along with the rope, can then shoot toward the towing vehicle like a projectile, shattering glass or injuring people, while your car will be left with a damaged thread that cannot be fixed without professional service.
    2. Towing by Suspension Elements. If you cannot find the eye, never attach the rope to control arms, stabilizers, or the bumper itself. Doing so can irreparably damage the car’s geometry or rip off body parts.
    3. A Rusty Eye. If you are buying a used car, be sure to check that the eye in the trunk is not rusty. Corrosion damages the metal structure, so the hook could simply snap under high load.

What Else Is Important to Know?
When towing a car, the eye undergoes tremendous stress, so it is very important to use an elastic tow rope, which softens the shocks when starting to move or braking. Also, do not forget that the ignition must be turned on in the towed car (if possible) so that the steering wheel does not lock and the lights function.

Conclusion
The car towing eye is like a fire extinguisher—we hope we never need it, but when we do, it must be in good order and within reach. Don't wait for an accident: open your trunk today, find your towing eye, check if it isn't rusty, and figure out where it screws in. It will take just a minute, but in a critical situation, it will save you a lot of stress.