Bumpers Are Important

Bumpers are similar to flour or onions. They are a vital yet often overlooked ingredient that is a cornerstone of the overall product that it is a part of. As flour is with cake and onions are with spaghetti, bumpers supply the subtle but highly vital contribution to automobiles. People have two bumpers on their vehicles and many do not pay much attention to them.

Bumper manufacturers and retailers such as Warn, Smittybilt, and 4 Wheel Drive offer the frontal protection that cars need. Automotive retailers such as these also offer customer assistance to guide off-road enthusiasts to the products and equipment most compatible to their vehicle. This knowledge and expertise provided by customer service representatives at these stores provide smooth treks and great protection for the future of the Jeep vehicle.

The significance of bumpers does not usually enter the consciousness of automobile owners until they have been in a rear end or head-on collision. At that point, the driver realizes that the bumper saved himself from bodily injury and/or their automobiles from a major accident (for the driver this would be a financial injury). Bumpers are created to take on some of the impact of a crash or collision. Bumpers are also designed to protect more delicate parts of a vehicle, like the radiator. When a motorist accidentally backs into a guardrail or telephone poll, the bumper is protecting the vehicle’s tail lights.

Of course, bumpers are also designed to enhance an automobile’s appearance and appeal. Today, they are made to give a car, truck, or sports utility vehicle (SUV) a smooth and more aerodynamic look. During the normal course of driving, however, a bumper will experience its share of dents, scratches, and dings.

Because of its location and function, automobile bumpers usually absorb damage during the course of its life on an automobile. The damage can be minor or major. When the damage is major, it is time to get a new bumper.

Once the usefulness of a bumper is compromised the driver of the automobile must replace it, not repair it. Bumpers come in a large variety of sizes, shapes, and materials. When purchasing a new bumper for a vehicle the automobile’s owner must take into consideration material needed, the type of use the vehicle is required to perform by the driver, and the style of bumper desired. The material needed depends on the vehicle and its functions. The automobile’s usual functions by the driver evaluates whether the owner indulges in street driving, off-road activity, or racing. Style focuses on the owner’s cosmetic and aesthetic tastes and preferences for the look of his/her vehicle.

Materials that are commonly used for bumpers are polypropylene, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or metal. Polypropylene bumpers are the sturdiest and most impact resistant. They bend or rip on impact but can crack at times. This material is not easily repairable and cannot be sanded. Fiberglass bumpers are lightweight yet strong and are easily repairable. They are sandable and paintable. Fiberglass is less flexible than plastic and more prone to cracking. Carbon fiber bumpers are like fiberglass models in that they are lightweight and durable. They are also heat resistant and can be used painted or unpainted. The quality of carbon fiber bumpers vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and are usually the most expensive of all the bumper material choices. Metal bumpers offer strength and durability. It is an extremely heavy material, however, and should only be used for off-road vehicles.

The common use of one’s vehicle should always be the top priority in determining what type of bumper will be chosen for a given automobile. Additionally, much depends on what conditions that the bumpers and vehicles will encounter. For drivers who primarily use their vehicles to get around town, the “city drivers,” any type of bumper is compatible to that level of driving activity. Usually, it is best to purchase a lightweight bumper. For those drivers who heavily indulge in off-road activity, heavy and durable front and rear bumpers are mandatory. Metal bumpers and winches are best for automobiles that regularly venture through boulder-jammed areas, mud pits, and swampland. For auto racing, motorists need a bumper that will withstand the abuse of the race circuit. Plastic and carbon fiber can handle the scrapes and scratches. For infrequent racing motorists, fiberglass bumpers may also be used.

As for style, drivers should shop around (e.g., Warn, Smittybilt, 4Wheel Drive, etc.) before settling on a new bumper. Many times, a bumper can make or break the look an automobile owner is trying to achieve. It is usually not favorable to have a replacement bumper that does not match the automobile it is assembled to.