# new method used for manufacturing automobile bumpers?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-method-used-for-manufacturing-automobile-bumpers/176846
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [May 22, 2003, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-method-used-for-manufacturing-automobile-bumpers/176846 "2003-05-22T17:31:34Z")
**Posts on this page:** 9
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@bcullman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bcullman)
#### Post date: [May 22, 2003, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-method-used-for-manufacturing-automobile-bumpers/176846/1 "2003-05-22T17:31:34Z")
I have noticed this recently on a few automobiles, including Mercedes, Caddilacs and now just today a Buick Rendevous.
The bumpers appear to have 4-6 screw holes evenly spaced allong the bumber edge. I’m only guessing they are screw holes, though as i have never gotten close enough to investigate.
In this picture you can see 4 of these on the back back bumper:
[http://www.buick.com/images/rendezvous/photo03.jpg](http://www.buick.com/images/rendezvous/photo03.jpg)
In a world where we definately have the ability to build flush fitting/attached bumpers, why is this style of attachement only recently (last year or 2) cropping up (that is, if these are attachement points at all)
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### Author:  [@smoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smoke)
#### Post date: [May 22, 2003, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-method-used-for-manufacturing-automobile-bumpers/176846/2 "2003-05-22T18:55:53Z")
Are you positive those are fasteners and not back up sensors or something?
-j
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### Author:  [@Eirik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eirik)
#### Post date: [May 22, 2003, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-method-used-for-manufacturing-automobile-bumpers/176846/3 "2003-05-22T19:05:58Z")
It might be like some of the Nissan products ( I beleive the Exterra is one, and their light truck) that have actually got what look like rivits in some of the fenders. I’m sure it’s a stylistic choice rather than something they needed to do.
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### Author:  [@fluoextinchcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluoextinchcl)
#### Post date: [May 22, 2003, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-method-used-for-manufacturing-automobile-bumpers/176846/4 "2003-05-22T19:14:24Z")
I think they’re ultrasound sensors that chirp to alert the driver that there’s something in the way that their mirrors are unable to show them. I have seen them on some mini-vans as well, but never had occasion to test drive them.
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### Author:  [@bcullman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bcullman)
#### Post date: [May 22, 2003, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-method-used-for-manufacturing-automobile-bumpers/176846/5 "2003-05-22T19:31:06Z")
To add to this, I am positive these are not the rivet looking thigs that you see on Nissa Truck products.
Infact, I have only seen these style of fastener (or sensor, as fluoextinchcl is saying) on higher end vehicles - Mercedes, Cadillacs and most recently, the Buick rendevous. Never on a Kia, or Subaru, or Hundai.
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### Author:  [@keithnmick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/keithnmick)
#### Post date: [May 22, 2003, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-method-used-for-manufacturing-automobile-bumpers/176846/6 "2003-05-22T20:16:14Z")
It is a backup sensor, not a fastener.
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### Author:  [@dil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dil)
#### Post date: [May 22, 2003, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-method-used-for-manufacturing-automobile-bumpers/176846/7 "2003-05-22T20:41:18Z")
Yes they are backup sensors and I don’t care how well they work, they make the back of the car look hideous and I would never order them on my fancy shmancy new car. I have seen quite a few of them on new BMW M3’s. I can understand needing these on a truck or a minivan, but come on, do we really need backup sensors on a sports coupe?
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### Author:  [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)
#### Post date: [May 22, 2003, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-method-used-for-manufacturing-automobile-bumpers/176846/8 "2003-05-22T20:45:17Z")
And those foam-filled plastic ding magnets they use today are not bumpers, [this is a bumper](http://www.ephemeranow.com/cars/cars089.htm); a hundred pounds of chrome plated steel with two streamlined nose cones just screams “get outta my way”.
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### Author:  [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)
#### Post date: [May 22, 2003, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-method-used-for-manufacturing-automobile-bumpers/176846/9 "2003-05-22T22:11:08Z")
Nah, those are Manliness Points, intended to lend some machismo to the funny looking Rendezvous. This odd vehicle with a French name is an SSSUV (sorta sporty sorta utilitarian vehicle.) Remember, this is the brand that gave you Cruiserline Ventiports, which were chrome-plated faux vents in the front fenders, for many years.