Newly discovered Rear Hatch Assist Hand Slot. Am I using it right?

[ptprice]

Much to do about nothing. Am I using it right? Who knew. Just yesterday I discovered an assist hand slot in SOOO BIG's rear hatch. Well I realize Chrysler put it there for a reason so I tried using it to close the hatch.

Maybe, being new at it, I just haven't mastered the technique.

And to think I use to just grab the edge of the hatch, pull it down and push it shut. I might have got it all wrong but here's how I figger it works. For me, at least, until I'm shown a better way to use this assist hand slot, I think I'll just make believe it isn't there.

Happy PTin', ptprice

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NEWLY DISCOVERED ASSIST HAND SLOT.

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Activating the rear hatch latch. From this grip I just pull the hatch up to open. I can't figger if that assist hand slot is supposed to come into play at this stage.


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THE ASSIST HAND SLOT.

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My new hatch grasp technique.

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Hatch about half way down. I still have to get my hand out a the slot and push the hatch the rest of the way down from the outside as I always have.

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A gentle push to shut the hatch as I always have.

[ajhockey3]

My parents had a Plymouth Voyager and dodge caravans when I was growing up. Using that thing is second nature. I just pull it down with the handle and when it's almost all the way down I push down on the Chrysler logo, latches right every time.If you don't push down on the logo area on its way down it will shut but not properly and you will get the trunk ajar light. I'm not a very tall person so I always use the handle. Just how I use it. Everyone probably uses it differently.

[Handy_Cruiser]

That little slot is pretty useless. There's just no good way to use it without have to jerk your hand away at some point.

As far as closing the back hatch, I always treated it like the hood. I figure it's supposed to shut with a gentle swing and not pushed on. That always worked perfectly for me.

[chuzz]

I think it's more for the vertically challenged to help pull the hatch down so they can close it, Price. I NEVER used mine in the PT or any Mopar van I've owned. They all have that too.

[rcktpwrd]

I use that handle all the time, it allows me to get the hatch almost all the way closed without grabbing the hatch itself. I hate finger prints/drag marks on the paint... I usually can get the hatch to close in one motion, sometimes I have to pop it back open and give it a gentle push on the center of the logo...

[rckstein]

Originally Posted by rcktpwrd

I use that handle all the time, it allows me to get the hatch almost all the way closed without grabbing the hatch itself. I hate finger prints/drag marks on the paint... I usually can get the hatch to close in one motion, sometimes I have to pop it back open and give it a gentle push on the center of the logo...

Originally Posted by ajhockey3

My parents had a Plymouth Voyager and dodge caravans when I was growing up. Using that thing is second nature. I just pull it down with the handle and when it's almost all the way down I push down on the Chrysler logo, latches right every time.If you don't push down on the logo area on its way down it will shut but not properly and you will get the trunk ajar light. I'm not a very tall person so I always use the handle. Just how I use it. Everyone probably uses it differently.

I use this method as well, because I also hate any fingerprints

[Carnut]

I think it's mostly for black cruisers. Every smudge and fingerprint shows up on black paint, so that handle was provided so owners of black cars could shut the hatch and keep from smudging the paint. Which would glaringly show up to all the cars following.

[044400]

I was not aware of it for the first several months of ownership. I use it most of the time now. My short(er) wife uses it every time.

My Santa Fe has one also but it is backwards compared to the PT.

[Gkon]

You must master the latch, or you will not graduate to the Master PT status, grasshopper.

[rob302]

rear interior trim panel needs to be behind that plastic insert you're fingering. ..since you keep the car so mint 'n all.