A Random Question...
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: just outside of Phila.
A Random Question...
...and I hope you can figure out what I mean.
Anyone ever notice that on a lot of newer cars, there are little squares on the bumpers, not usually centered, and I've also seen them on the sides, like in the rocker area. Anyone know what I mean? They look like they're removable. What are these things? If you can't figure out what I'm talking about, take a look at a bumper, especially on newer Mercedes (prolly a coincidence, but this is where I notice it the most). My buddy asked me the other day and I had no idea.
Anyone ever notice that on a lot of newer cars, there are little squares on the bumpers, not usually centered, and I've also seen them on the sides, like in the rocker area. Anyone know what I mean? They look like they're removable. What are these things? If you can't figure out what I'm talking about, take a look at a bumper, especially on newer Mercedes (prolly a coincidence, but this is where I notice it the most). My buddy asked me the other day and I had no idea.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: SW VA
I've noticed them also, but never thought much of them until you brought it up. At first, I thought there was a tow hook behind it...but I got to thinking: "New cars dont have tow hooks!"
...Or any kind of 'real' tow hooks at that.
...Or any kind of 'real' tow hooks at that.
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Posting Guru
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From: just outside of Phila.
Nope...they're not the back up sensors. Sorry, I should've said that first. I have seen them in the side, and I saw one that was open, and it looked nothing like something you'd be able to tow from. Unless is was like the hole where you could screw in a hook...is that it? If that's the case, they never seem to be symmetrical, in other words, I normally only see one, and to the side if it's on a bumper. Wouldn't there be two, or at least one placed better?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
I know the side ones are jacking points, when changing a flat tire. Pull cover off, insert jack into slot. As for the ones front and rear, I don't know. I've seen 'em, and wondered the same thing. They're definitely not back-up sensors.
Postmaster
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A cover for the bolts that hold the bumber cover on? On some of the Mercedes I think its a cover to hide the hole where the headlight wiper would be.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bonita Springs FL
Originally Posted by jdmorg
Nope...they're not the back up sensors. Sorry, I should've said that first. I have seen them in the side, and I saw one that was open, and it looked nothing like something you'd be able to tow from. Unless is was like the hole where you could screw in a hook...is that it? If that's the case, they never seem to be symmetrical, in other words, I normally only see one, and to the side if it's on a bumper. Wouldn't there be two, or at least one placed better?
They don't have to be symmetrical. I had a Jetta with an integrated tow hook, and it was off to the side. It worked the one time I needed it to.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Elkhart IN
yeah, id go for a tow hook spot, and think about it, if it were in the middle, when you pulled on it, it would try to bow the trunk, and surrounding area its hooked to, off to the side, its near the structual part of the unibody, more meat
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
The ones on the side are generally where the jack goes, F&R are...yes, tow hooks. In shipping, they need to be cinched down without damaging the vehicle. On the domestics, they just throw a chain around the frame/ bumper support and hope for the best (ever seen a frame bent/broken from transit damage?).
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: San Francisco, Ca.
I know for awhile they use to transport cars by hanging them on those hooks you sometimes see on the front and back.
That why they invented sealed batteries. Or so I was told by GM.
They also used to secure cars by deflating the tires, cinching down the vehicle and then re-inflating the tires. Problem is that the suspension would get bent out of whack.
I've never noticed those squares, but now that you mention them, I'll probably check them out for the heck of it.
That why they invented sealed batteries. Or so I was told by GM.
They also used to secure cars by deflating the tires, cinching down the vehicle and then re-inflating the tires. Problem is that the suspension would get bent out of whack.
I've never noticed those squares, but now that you mention them, I'll probably check them out for the heck of it.
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Posting Guru
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From: just outside of Phila.
They're definitely on Mercedes Benz's and the Mazda 3's, these are the two places I know 100000% that I saw them, and I know that I've seen them elsewhere. My buddy had his car tapped and that's when he asked me and I was clueless. Yesterday, when leaving my office, I noticed it on my partner's Benz.
chrono 4....makes perfect sense to me.
polarbear....does that happen often...the transit damage? I'm one of those fine toothed comb buyers when it comes to cars, and I'm always trying to think of other things to look for. If you're going to spend the money to buy a new car, it had better be perfect.
chrono 4....makes perfect sense to me.
polarbear....does that happen often...the transit damage? I'm one of those fine toothed comb buyers when it comes to cars, and I'm always trying to think of other things to look for. If you're going to spend the money to buy a new car, it had better be perfect.
Post Fiend
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From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
te: transit damage. Not often, but it does happen. We have actually seen bent/broken frames/ suspension components that were cinched too tight. It's ugly, because it's generally not repairable (frame-damage disclosure). Know those new cars that a lot of HS Auto Shop classes get? That's the main way they get them. It's either that or the crusher.
Posting Guru
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From: charlotte, nc
my moms highlander has the little access holes in the front and rear bumper where a threaded hook goes. the threads are so fine on the hook that im not sure i would trust them to hold a car, but whatever.
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