Bumpers are designed to protect the car body from damage in case of minor collisions. They also perform a decorative function, as they cover up the fasteners and wiring of the parts installed on the front or rear end of the car. On modern vehicles they also serve for pedestrian protection: they prevent the pedestrian from getting caught under the wheels in case of an accident. Moreover, the streamlined shape of these body parts can improve vehicle aerodynamics.

Types

By mounting location:

• Front. They feature apertures for headlights and sometimes for radiator grilles. They can also house headlight washer jets and air inlets for the intake system, brakes and other units. They may be supplemented with a special skirt which increases the downforce at high-speed driving.
• Rear. These bumpers feature apertures for the rear lighting units. They protect the car in case of rear-end collisions with a moving or still vehicle.

By production material:

• Metal. They can only be found in older cars and off-roaders.
• Plastic. They are lightweight and durable parts. Their characteristics are largely defined by the type of plastics they are made of.

By absorber type:

• With a polystyrene foam absorber. It is simple and cheap in production. Such parts absorb impacts well. But polystyrene foam is fragile and can break even without a collision.
• With a plastic absorber. Such absorbers consist of cells and have good energy-absorbing properties. They are more reliable and durable in comparison with the polystyrene foam ones.
• With granulated fillers, glass balls, for instance. They have the highest price among the three, but they absorb the impact energy perfectly.

Operating tips

Avoid aggressive driving, especially on poor-quality roads. Do not remove the bumper when it’s cold outside. Some types of plastics become fragile at subzero temperatures. That is why, if demounting is necessary, be sure to work in a heated room. Do not wipe the bumper with a dry cloth – you may scratch it.

If your car is not equipped with parking assist, you can purchase and install a special kit of parking sensors: this way you will avoid damage while driving in tight spaces.

You can apply a special protection film on the surface of this part or coat it with an anti-gravel paint. This will help to keep the item intact and prevent scratching and cracking.

Symptoms of malfunctions

Mechanical damage is the most common bumper malfunction. It can easily be detected during visual inspection. If you notice that your bumper is askew or there is a gap between it and the headlight, the possible culprits are broken fasteners. Rattling sound during driving, especially on rough roads, is a reason to suspect that the bracket is broken or some fasteners have come loose.

Causes of malfunctions

A strong impact usually results in cracks, shears, deformation of the part and destruction of the fasteners. Motorists that prefer aggressive driving face such damage much more often. For instance, if you have a habit of pressing the brake pedal too sharply, especially in traffic jams, it may cause a rear-end collision with a vehicle behind that results in damaging your rear bumper, among other things. On the contrary, sharp starting may cause you to hit the vehicle ahead. As a rule, impacts from hurled rocks, abrasive effects of sand and dirt result in abrasions and scratches on this body part.

Autodoc.co.uk: only high-quality automotive products

In our online shop, you can buy a high-quality bumper for your car. Our wide product range allows you to choose a part which both ensures reliable protection of your vehicle and adds a stylish accent to its exterior.