
Car bumpers are located at the front of the vehicle, referred to as the front bumper, and at the rear of the vehicle, known as the rear bumper. Below is relevant information about car bumpers: Introduction to car bumpers: As automotive components, they are more prone to scratches and impacts during daily driving and are among the most frequently repaired parts. Both the front and rear bumpers of cars are made of plastic, commonly referred to as plastic bumpers. Functions of car bumpers: Car bumpers are safety devices designed to absorb and mitigate external impacts, protecting the front and rear of the vehicle body. Currently, in addition to maintaining their original protective function, front and rear bumpers also aim to achieve harmony and unity with the vehicle's styling and pursue lightweight design.

I often help friends repair cars, let me explain the position of the bumper. It's located on the outermost part of the front and rear of the car, acting like armor to protect the vehicle body. The front bumper sits below the headlights, connected to the grille, and spans almost the entire width of the front end. The rear bumper wraps around the bottom of the rear, covering the exhaust pipe and license plate frame. You can feel it by squatting down—it's usually made of plastic and produces a hollow sound when lightly tapped. Its main function is to absorb impact during collisions, helping to mitigate force in rear-end collisions. During minor scrapes, the bumper is often the first part to get scratched. Last time I reversed into a bollard, the rear bumper dented, but the car body remained unharmed. Some cars even hide radar sensors inside the bumper, so its positioning is designed with precision.

Having worked on cars for over a decade, I could point out the bumper location with my eyes closed. Those prominent plastic pieces at the front and rear of the car are exactly that—the front bumper extends from the bottom of the front end to the wheel arches, while the rear bumper wraps around the lowest edge of the tail. Its purpose is to take the first hit in collisions, like parking lot scrapes, where the bumper usually bears the brunt. In luxury cars, the bumper often integrates fog lights and radar modules. Designed to protrude about two fingers' width beyond the body, it ensures minor scrapes don't damage the engine or trunk. If you notice paint scratches concentrated within the first half meter, chances are the bumper took the hit.

During my driving test, the instructor specifically reminded me to identify the position of the bumper. It is located at the outermost part of the front and rear of the car, the lowest band-like structure around the entire vehicle. I opened the car door and squatted down to look—the front bumper was hidden under the license plate and felt slightly elastic to the touch. The rear bumper is below the taillights and is the most prone to scratches when reversing. The instructor said that beginners should pay attention to this area because when judging the distance inaccurately, the bumper will be the first to scrape against obstacles. The parking spaces in our neighborhood are narrow, so every time I park, I lean out to check the distance between the rear bumper and the wall, leaving a fist-sized gap to feel at ease.

When choosing a car, I pay special attention to the bumper design. Located at the front and rear edges of the body, the front bumper connects with the headlights and grille to form a unified styling, while the rear bumper integrates reflectors and exhaust pipe trim covers. Most family cars have bumpers about 20 cm off the ground, color-matched to the body, while SUVs often use black scratch-resistant materials. Once in rainy weather, I had a minor rear-end collision – the other car's rear bumper cracked slightly, while mine only suffered some paint scratches. The mechanic explained this design makes bumpers act as sacrificial components during collisions, protecting more expensive internal parts. Now when washing my car, I always clean the bumper gaps to prevent dirt accumulation and corrosion.


