Chloe Zhang
If you've ever wondered about the purpose of those little plastic squares and circles on car bumpers, you're not alone. These shapes, often about the size of potato chips, are not just for show. They serve a practical purpose: they act as covers for the spot where you can attach a tow eye to a car or SUV. In other words, they provide a provision for a tow eye, which can be extremely useful if your car ever needs to be towed or lifted onto a tow truck's platform. These tow eye screw covers can be found on the front, back, or both bumpers of many modern cars.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Size | About the size of potato chips |
| Function | Covers for the spot to attach a tow eye |
| Removal | Can be removed with a flathead screwdriver or a similar tool |
| Towing | Tow eyes are typically included with new and used cars and are situated in the trunk |
| Towing capacity | Minimal strength for side force, designed to pull straight ahead |
| Replacement | Replacements are easy to find on the aftermarket |
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What You'll Learn
They are plastic covers for a weld nut, which is part of the bumper beam
You may have noticed small squares and circles on the front and rear bumpers of many new cars. These plastic shapes, about the size of potato chips, are not just for show. They are plastic covers for a weld nut, which is part of the bumper beam. Specifically, the weld nut provides a provision for a tow eye, which can be used to tow the car or lift it onto a tow truck's platform. This is especially useful for vehicles with low seating positions, where there may not be enough clearance to reach a chassis component for recovery, towing, or anchoring.
These tow eye screw covers can be found on the front, back, or both bumpers of an automobile. They are designed to be easily removed with a flathead screwdriver or a similar tool. Once the cover is removed, a tow eye can be screwed in. Tow eyes are typically included with new and many used cars and can be found in the trunk alongside the spare tire and other tools. It is not uncommon for these covers to be lost over time, but replacements are usually easy to find on the aftermarket.
While the circles on car bumpers often indicate the presence of backup sensors, the squares are typically related to towing functions. It is worth noting that recovery points and tow eyes are not required by law in North America, but their inclusion in vehicle designs often relates to market demand and automakers' own transport needs.
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They can be removed with a flathead screwdriver to attach a tow eye
If you've ever wondered about the purpose of those little plastic squares on car bumpers, you're not alone. These plastic squares, often about the size of potato chips, are actually there to help in case your car needs to be towed. Specifically, they are covers that can be removed with a flathead screwdriver to attach a tow eye.
These tow eye screw covers are typically found on the front, back, or both bumpers of a car. They are designed to be easily popped out with a flathead screwdriver or a similar tool. Once the cover is removed, a tow eye can be screwed in, allowing a car to be properly pulled by a tow truck or lifted onto a tow truck's platform.
It's important to note that these tow eyes are usually included with new and many used cars and can be found in the trunk alongside the spare tire and other tools. However, it's not uncommon for the covers to be lost over time, and replacements can usually be found in the aftermarket.
The presence of these tow eye screw covers highlights the thoughtful design considerations made by automakers to balance aesthetics and functionality. By providing a hidden tow eye attachment point, automakers ensure that vehicles can be recovered or towed without damaging the bumper cover.
While these plastic squares are a common feature, it's worth mentioning that not all vehicles have them. The need for these recovery points may depend on market demand and automakers' transport needs. Additionally, some vehicles may have alternative recovery options, such as using a pickup truck for towing instead of attaching a tow eye to a sedan.
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They are not required by law in North America
The plastic squares and circles on car bumpers are not just for decoration. They are actually plastic covers that hide a threaded nut, which is welded to the front bumper. These plastic squares are designed to be removed with a flathead screwdriver or a similar tool. They act as covers for the spot to attach a tow eye to a car or SUV. With the panel removed, a tow eye can be screwed in so that a car can be properly pulled by a tow truck or lifted onto a tow truck's platform.
While bumpers are crucial safety components, they are not always required by law. Driving without a bumper is illegal in most countries, including the United States. However, this law may not apply to off-road vehicles. All road-going vehicles must be equipped with a "proper bumper," which typically includes a bumper support, bumper cover, and all related bracketry and supports. Failing to adhere to these laws can result in fines and legal consequences.
In North America, specifically, there are no recovery points required by law. This means that there may not be a place to attach a tow hook on some vehicles. Automakers may include a bumper reinforcement solution, such as a threaded anchor, to allow for towing without damaging the bumper cover.
While not required by law, tow eyes typically come included with new and used cars, situated in the trunk alongside the spare tire and other tools. Replacements are also usually easy to find on the aftermarket.
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They can be lost over time, but replacements are easy to find
The plastic squares and circles on car bumpers are not just for decoration. They are actually plastic covers that hide a threaded weld nut, which is part of the bumper beam. These plastic covers can be removed with a flat-head screwdriver or a similar tool. They provide a place to attach a tow eye to a car or SUV. With the panel removed, a tow eye can be screwed in so that a car can be properly pulled by a tow truck or lifted onto a tow truck's platform. Tow eyes typically come included with new and many used cars, and can be found in the trunk.
It is not uncommon for these plastic covers to be lost over time. They can fall off or be torn off, and some car owners have reported having to order replacements. Replacements are usually easy to find on the aftermarket, but they can be expensive.
Some car owners have also reported that the plastic pieces under the front bumper, which are held in with clips, can be ripped off when a car is parked too close to a curb. This can happen when a car is backed up with the front hooked on a parking stop. In some cases, the plastic can rip and is no longer attached to the part with the hole for the clip.
It is important to note that while tow eyes can be useful in certain situations, they are not suitable for all towing needs. For example, they are not the best choice for yanking a car out of a ditch or through tough mud. In such cases, a pickup truck or a similar vehicle with a higher clearance may be a better option for towing.
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They are sometimes called loading eye bolts
The plastic squares found on car bumpers are not just cosmetic additions. They are actually tow eye covers, also known as tow hook eye caps. Removing these plastic panels reveals a weld nut, which is part of the vehicle's bumper beam. This weld nut allows for the attachment of a tow eye, also referred to as a loading eye bolt. Cables can then be attached to the tow eye, enabling the car to be safely pulled onto a rollback tow truck without damaging the bumper.
Loading eye bolts are a relatively recent addition to automotive design, becoming widespread in the 1990s, especially on imported vehicles. Their inclusion was driven by the trend towards lower vehicle bodies and the addition of lower front body panels such as spoilers and air dams, which aimed to improve mileage by increasing aerodynamics. Loading eye bolts provide a convenient way to tow or anchor a vehicle without causing damage to the bumper.
While loading eye bolts are useful for towing vehicles onto flatbeds or trailers, it is important to note their limitations. They are designed primarily for pulling straight ahead and are not suitable for long-haul towing or extracting vehicles from muddy or difficult terrain. This is because loading eye bolts have minimal strength for side force.
In some cases, these plastic squares may also serve as visual indicators for backup sensors, aiding drivers when reversing to avoid obstacles.
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Frequently asked questions
The plastic squares on car bumpers are covers for the spot to attach a tow eye to a car or SUV. They can be removed with a flathead screwdriver or a similar tool.
They come in handy if your car needs to be towed.
Replacements are usually easy to find on the aftermarket.
Yes, there are circles on car bumpers too. They are often visual indicators of backup sensors, which aid in ensuring when you drive in reverse that you don't run into any obstacles.
