When communicating with mechanics at the service station, in auto shops or when discussing an accident with a traffic police inspector, it is often necessary to accurately identify the damaged or required part. The phrase “there is a dent in the back” can be understood in everyday conversation, but specific technical names are required to order spare parts or compile a protocol. The rear of the car is a complex structural unit, which includes many elements, from the power frame to decorative linings.
In technical documentation and among professionals, terms are used that may differ from the usual slang. Understanding the difference between the words “feed”, “baggage” and “back bumper” will help you quickly find a common language with the masters of body repair. Moreover, knowing the correct nomenclature allows you to avoid mistakes when buying spare parts, since parts for different zones can have similar names, but different purposes.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how the rear of the car is called, consider its main components and find out why the accuracy of wording is so important in the automotive field. We will go from general concepts to specific design elements to give you a complete picture.
Commonly Accepted Names and Professional Terminology
In colloquial speech, the back of the car is most often called the "feed". This word comes from the sea, where the end of the ship opposite the nose is called so. In an automotive context, the term “feed” encompasses the entire rear projection of the machine, including the roof, trunk, bumper and light fixtures. However, it is more of a general concept describing a location than a specific detail.
If we talk about the cargo compartment of passenger cars, then the word "baggage" is fixed in everyday life. Technically, shoe-stitch This is the interior space or compartment for the carriage of goods, and not the outer part of the body. The outer panel that opens access to this space is called the trunk lid. In cars with a hatchback or liftback body, this part is often called the “fifth door” (for hatchbacks) or simply the rear door.
It is important to distinguish these concepts when it comes to damage. If you say you have a “broken trunk,” the parts seller may not know if you need an internal shelf, lock or an external cover. Track lid - it's a hinged body element. The luggage compartment - it's an internal cavity. Feed - that's the whole back of the collection.
⚠️ Note: When filling out documents about an accident, avoid vague wording like "back end". Specify specific elements: "rear bumper", "back cover", "rear wing". This will speed up the process of agreeing repairs with the insurance company.
There is also the term “backward overhang”. It indicates the distance from the rear axle of the car to the most protruding point of the body behind. This parameter is important for assessing geometrical cross-country performance, especially if you plan to move off the pavement. The smaller the rear overhang, the lower the risk of damage to the rear of the car on steep climbs or when parking at high curbs.
Rear bumper design and its elements
The first element that takes a hit when you crash or park sloppy is the bumper. In modern cars, it is a complex composition of plastic, metal and foam. The basis is bumper-layer A visible, painted or unpainted part made of plastic (often ABS or polypropylene). That's what we see from the outside.
And under the lining is the power structure. bumper. This is a metal (less often composite) beam that is attached directly to the body spars. The task of the amplifier is to extinguish the impact energy and protect more important units located deeper in the underhood space or luggage compartment. Between the amplifier and the lining are often energy-absorbing elements, for example, polystyrene foam blocks.
On the surface of the bumper are various functional elements:
- 🚗 Parktronics Sensors that measure distance to obstacles.
- 💡 Fog lights Additional light sources for worse weather conditions.
- 🔧 Technology holes - hatches for towing hook or access to fasteners.
- 🌬️ Deflectors and ducts Direct airflows for cooling or aerodynamics.
When buying spare parts, it is important to consider that bumpers can be sold in different trim levels. You can buy a "bare" bumper (without holes for fog and parking sensors), a bumper for painting (with soil) or a fully finished product. Always check the compatibility of the amplifier mountsSince even one model of the car in different years of release, the mounting points could change.
When replacing the rear bumper, be sure to check the condition of the amplifier and spars fasteners. Even if the plastic is intact, the metal could have a hidden deformation that would show up later.
Body panels: wings, arches and doors
The side parts of the rear section of the body are called hind-wing. Unlike the front wings, which are often removable elements, the rear wings are usually part of the load-bearing body. They are welded to the power frame and the floor of the car, which makes their replacement difficult body operation, requiring welding.
The rear wing forms a wheel arch. Wheel arch It's a cutout in the body that frames the wheel. In the upper part of the arch is often installed plastic underwing, protecting the body from dirt and stones. The lower part of the wing that passes into the threshold is called posterior Or just part of the threshold. It is this area that often suffers from corrosion due to the ingress of reagents and moisture.
If the car has a body type hatchback, station wagon or crossover, access to the trunk is through backdoor. It is a complex structure that includes:
- 🚪 Internal and external metal frame.
- 🔒 Lock mechanism and opening actuators.
- 🖼️ Glass (often with heating and antenna).
- 🧱 Sheathing and trunk shelf.
In sedans, the back of the roof goes into back panel (or back) on which the glass is attached and sometimes the license plate. The bottom of this panel goes into the niche for the license plate. The geometry of these panels is critical to the proper docking of all elements. The slightest violation of the geometry of the wing or the door opening will lead to loose fit of the glasses, leaks and difficulties with opening.
Why don't the rear wings be removable?
The rear wings perform the role of power elements, providing the rigidity of the body to twist. Their removable design would require additional reinforcements and docking units, which would increase the weight and cost of the car, as well as reduce overall safety.
Lighting and glazing of the rear
Rear lighting is not just a “light”, as drivers often call them. The right name is taillight or headlight (although the term block headlamp is more commonly applied to front-end headlamps). In modern cars, it is a modular system that combines many functions: overall light, stop lights, direction indicators, reversing lights and fog light.
Special attention should be paid stop-light. Unlike the dimensions, which burn constantly when the light is turned on, the stop lights light up brighter when you press the brake pedal. The third stop light, usually located at the top of the rear window or on the spoiler, is a mandatory safety element. Its task is to be visible to drivers of tall cars who may not see the main lights.
The back window is also an important element of the design. It may be:
- 🪟 Pluted. - characteristic of most sedans and hatchbacks, provides tightness.
- 🔓 Lifting - found in some models of hatchbacks (for example, old models of VW Golf), opens separately from the door.
- 📉 Falling - rare option, glass is removed from the door (as in some old American cars).
The glass often has heating threads and contacts for the antenna. When replacing glass or lights, it is important to observe the tightness of the connections. The ingress of moisture in the flashlight leads to oxidation of contacts and failure of electronic light control units, which in modern cars are often built directly into the headlight case.
Modern taillights are often equipped with LED-matrixes and their own electronics. When replacing them, software adaptation through a diagnostic scanner may be required, otherwise the car will give an error "lamp malfunction".
Comparative table of elements of the back
To systematize the information, we will give a table that will help to distinguish the main components of the rear of the car and their functions. Understanding these differences will make it easier to find spare parts catalog numbers.
| Element | Substantive function | Materials of execution | Typical injuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear bumper (overlay) | Decor, aerodynamics, primary protection | Plastic (ABS, PP) | Cracks, chips, scratches. |
| Bumper amplifier | Extinguishing of impact energy | Steel, aluminum | Deformation, bending |
| Track lid | Access to the cargo hold | Steel, aluminum | dents, corrosion, breakage of loops |
| Back wing | Body and arch formation | Steel (cooked) | Dumps, deep corrosion |
| Backlight. | Light alarms | Plastic, glass, LED | Breaking the case, failure of electronics |
As you can see from the table, the materials and purpose of the elements vary greatly. If a plastic bumper can often be repaired (silted, glued), then a deformed amplifier or spangeron requires replacement or complex editing on the slip. Track lid Most often it changes completely with severe damage, since double metal rebounding is time-consuming and not always effective.
Typical problems and care of the back of the car
The back of the car is exposed to aggressive environmental influences. Mud, sand and road reagents raised by wheels settle on the lower parts of the bumper, arches and rapids. This creates ideal conditions for the emergence of corrosion. Especially vulnerable are the places of chipped paint and scratches reaching to the metal.
In winter, the situation is aggravated by mechanical damage from snow and ice, cleared from roads. Droughts in parking lots can hide high curbs or columns, contact with which leads to cracks in plastic. Also worth remembering about temperature changes: cold plastic becomes fragile, and even a light impact can split the bumper, which in the summer just sprung back.
To extend the service life of the rear body, it is recommended that:
- 🧼 Regularly wash the arches and the lower part of the bumper from reagents.
- 🛡️ Treat plastic elements with protective polishes or wax.
- 🔍 Periodically inspect the bottom and arches for hidden foci of rust.
- 🔧 Lubricate the loops and lock mechanisms with specialized compositions.
⚠️ Note: Do not use aggressive autochemistry or solvents to wash plastic. They can destroy the protective lacquer layer, after which the plastic will begin to fade and crack under the influence of ultraviolet light.
Another common problem is the fogging of lights. If you notice condensation inside the headlight, this is a sign of a leakproof housing or seal. It is impossible to operate such a lantern: moisture will lead to a short circuit. In some cases, drying and sealing joints helps, but often a replacement of the body is required.
☑️ Seasonal inspection of the back
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the correct name of the metal beam inside the bumper?
This element is called bumper Or bumper cross. It plays a key role in passive safety, taking on the impact energy and transferring it to the body spars, preventing damage to the more expensive components of the car.
Can I drive with a broken rear bumper?
From the point of view of traffic rules, if the bumper does not fall off and does not pose a threat to other participants in the movement, driving is possible. However, the absence of a bumper opens the access of dirt and moisture to the internal components, and also reduces the effectiveness of absorption of the impact in the next accident. In addition, the inspector may issue a fine for “fault in which operation is prohibited” if he considers the absence of a bumper critical.
What is the difference between a hatchback and an elevatorback when both have a door in the back?
The main difference is in the roof line and the shape of the rear door. U hatchback The door is cut almost along the line of the rear bumper, and the roof abruptly breaks off. U liftback The roof smoothly passes into the trunk (like a sedan), but the door captures part of this ramp and opens with glass, which visually makes the car more like a sedan, but with the functionality of a wagon.
What to do if you lock the back door?
Do not use excessive force so as not to break the drive mechanism or handle. Try pressing the central lock button several times. If the door does not open, the mechanism may have frozen or contaminated. In winter, you can try to warm the castle with warm air (dryer), but not boiling water, so that ice does not form again inside. In difficult cases, you will need to dismantle the skin or call a specialist.
What is the name of the strip between the taillights?
This element is often called retroreflective, cataphot or just a decorative insert. In modern cars, it can be an LED strip, combining the lights into a single light line. Technically, it can be part of the trunk lid or a separate molding.