Have you ever wondered what fenders are on a car? Many people get fenders and bumpers confused. We will dive into the world of fenders, exploring what they are and why they are important. Fenders play a crucial role in the safety of your vehicle.
Fenders on a car are like shields that cover the wheels and keep them safe from rocks, dirt, and muddy water. Fenders cover the wheels on the side of a car from the front bumper to the door.
What is the Purpose of a Fender On a Car?
The purpose of a fender on a car is to provide protection. Fenders enhance the safety of your vehicle. Fenders are the curved panels that cover the wheel wells, located above each tire. Every car has 4 fenders, one over each wheel well.
Fenders act as a barrier between the tires and the rest of the car’s body. When you are driving, fenders shield the wheels from road debris such as gravel, rocks, and mud.
Fenders keep your car’s paint job intact and prevent damage to other vehicles or people. Fenders also reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency. Fenders are essential for car safety and performance.
What Are Car Fenders Made Of?
Car fenders are made with sturdy and durable materials such as steel, aluminum, or plastic. The choice of material depends on things like cost, weight, and manufacturing processes.
Steel fenders are often found in many traditional vehicles. They offer excellent strength and are impact resistant. Steel fenders can be heavy, which may affect fuel efficiency.
Aluminum fenders are lighter than steel and offer similar strength. They are often used in high-end and performance cars where weight reduction is a priority. Using aluminum helps enhance fuel efficiency and performance.
Plastic fenders are often made from thermoplastic or composite materials. Plastic fenders are lightweight, flexible, and resistant to dents and corrosion. They are often seen in modern cars and are easier to mold during the manufacturing process.
Is Driving Without Fenders Illegal?
Driving without fenders is illegal in several states. It may be illegal to drive in the following states without fender(s):
- California
- Texas
- Florida
- New York
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Montana
There might be other states with similar laws or requirements for fenders. It’s best to check with your local DMV or local authorities before driving without them.
Can You Repair a Damaged Car Fender?
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Assess the damage: Examine the fender to determine how bad the damage is. Is it a minor dent, a deep scratch, or a more significant issue?
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Gather tools: Get a rubber mallet, sandpaper, body filler, a putty knife, and paint that matches your car’s color.
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Remove the fender: If the damage is severe, you may need to remove the fender from the car. You may not need to remove it for minor repairs.
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Repair the dents or scratches: Use the rubber mallet to tap out any dents. Be gentle when you use the mallet. Sand down the damaged area, and apply body filler using the putty knife to fill in any deep scratches or holes. Smooth out the filler and let it dry.
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Sand and paint: Once the filler is dry, use sandpaper to smooth the repaired area. Match the car’s paint color and apply it in thin layers. Let each layer dry before painting the next.
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Reattach the fender: If you removed the fender, reattach it.
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Final touches: Polish the repaired area to blend it with the rest of the fender. If you want a seamless finish, this step is important.
This video will demonstrate how to repair a dented fender yourself.
What Does it Cost to Replace a Fender on a Car?
The cost to replace a fender on a car can vary depending on several factors. One of the main factors is the make and model of the car. Each car can have fenders made with different materials. This will affect the cost of replacement.
For example, let’s look at a popular sedan like a Honda Civic. Replacing the fender on a Honda Civic can cost around $200 to $400. The cost may vary based on the year of the vehicle and whether it is a front or rear fender.
Luxury vehicles have higher replacement costs due to using quality materials. For instance, replacing a fender on a Mercedes-Benz E-Class could range from $500 to $800. The cost may increase further for newer models with advanced features and technologies.
Trucks and SUVs usually have larger fenders, which have a higher cost to replace. For a truck like a Ford F-150, replacing a fender can cost between $300 and $600. Replacing a fender on an SUV like a Toyota RAV4 may range from $250 to $500.
Another factor that can influence the cost is the extent of damage. Minor dents or scratches can be fixed without paint and are less expensive. If the fender has a lot of damage and requires replacement, the costs can be higher.
Labor also influences the cost. Some repair shops charge a flat rate and others charge hourly. It will depend on the geographic location and the specific repair shop.
If you think you need a fender replacement, I’d recommend contacting several repair shops for a quote. It’s possible you can save money by shopping around.
The Differences Between Car Fenders and Bumpers
Once you learn how to differentiate between fenders and bumpers, you’ll never get confused by the two terms again.
The front of the car has the following exterior parts:
- The front bumper
- The hood
- The lighting group
- The left and right fender
- The left and right wheel
When you take a look at your car from the front, the bumper will always be positioned below the hood and span towards both sides of the car. The headlights and fog lights can be contained within the bumper, but they’re sometimes in between the bumper and the hood.
The fenders can be seen from the front on the sides, widening the body to accommodate wheels. From the side, their shape is more obvious – the front fender spans from the front door to the bumper and merges with the hood on the top.
Some fenders overflow towards the front and encapsulate the bumpers, while on other vehicles the bumper is the more prominent part that forms a “U” shape and encroaches on the area typically covered by a fender.
Regardless of the design, the boundaries between the two fenders and bumper are clearly visible. The rear of the car has the following exterior parts:
- The rear bumper
- The trunk door
- The lighting group
- The left and right fender
- The left and right wheel
- The rear portion of the body frame
At the back of the car, the bumper is the rearmost part, located between the two fenders and the trunk. The towing hook either comes out through the bumper or bends around it.
However, the rear fenders are rarely an independent part of the modern unibody design and are merged with the body. This doesn’t change their role, but they’re not replaceable and are sometimes referred to as quarter panels.
The Purpose of Bumpers
The first bumpers appeared in the late 19th century and served a decorative, rather than a practical purpose. In 1901, the first bumper practical bumper was created out of rubber, followed by the metal bumpers in the 1910s.
The purpose of the bumper is to absorb impact, reduce damage to the vehicle, protect pedestrians and look good.
By being the first line of defense, the bumper will absorb the brunt of the impact. In a low-speed collision, the bumper will be the only part to break which is especially important in protecting the radiator and the engine bay.
In a case of a high-speed collision, the metal reinforcement of the bumper absorbs as much of the impact as possible before the body begins to crumble.
In the past few decades, car manufacturers had to take pedestrian safety more seriously. Bumper and hoods have been redesigned to reduce injury to the pedestrian in case of an impact. With it came the drastic design change and a more streamlined design of the front fascia.
Off-road and bull bars are a variation of the standard bumpers that utilize heavy-gauge steel and are generally unfit for driving in urban areas.
The off-road bumpers improve ride clearance and protect the vehicle from damage caused by impact with trees, ground, or rocks.
Bullbars were originally designed for vehicles used in rural areas, where impacts with large animals could cause significant damage to the car and injury to its driver and passengers
FAQs
What are fenders called?
Fender as a term is primarily used in America, but in British English, it’s known as a wing. In some parts of the world, you’ll also hear mudguard used to describe fenders.
What is a fender liner?
The fender liner is the shroud that protects the inside of the vehicle from splashing water, mud, and dirt. It can be made of metal, but it’s generally covered by plastic or a fabric liner to prevent corrosion and reduce wheel noise.
Do you need fenders on a car?
First and foremost, fenders are a mandatory part of any vehicle and have to cover the entire width of the tire, as required by law. Fenders are needed to avoid damage to the vehicle’s paint and windows, as well as to protect the drivers behind you.
The interior part of the fender keeps the road dirt away from the trunk and the engine bay. Without it, cables and hoses could get damaged, and the parts would start to corrode.
Can fenders be repaired?
Fenders can be repaired, but it depends on the degree of damage. Minor scratches and dents can be easily buffed out, but you might have to repaint the panel.
Front fenders are independent and can be cheaper to replace than they are to repair. The rear fenders of a car are now merged with the rear quarter-panel and are very difficult to replace, requiring precise cutting and welding to hide the seams.
How long does it take to replace a fender?
The answer varies depending on the vehicle. On some cars, it’s a 1-hour job at most, and on others, it can take up to 5 hours.
Do cars still have fenders?
Yes, cars still have fenders, and they’ll continue to use them for as long as they have wheels. The fender’s design has changed significantly since its first iterations and will continue to improve.
The front fenders remain a separate panel but are more streamlined with the body, while the rear fenders are now integrated into the unibody, forming the rear quarter panels.
What is a British fender?
In British English, fenders are called wings, while the word fender refers to a low metal frame that confines falling coals to the hearth.
Is a fender a panel?
When rear fenders are merged with the body, they form a panel – a quarter panel to be precise. It covers the area between the rear door, trunk, and the roof, wrapping around the wheel well. Replacing the quarter panel requires major cutting and welding, so repairing it is preferred.
Can I drive without fender liners?
Nothing is going to stop you from driving without fender liners, but I strongly advise against it. Liners are important to keep the wheel wells protected from corrosion and damage caused by dirt and water spun up by the wheels.
Without them, your vehicle is at risk of serious damage, so consider fender liners a necessary part of your vehicle.
How much does it cost to replace a fender on a Jeep?
The fender flares for a Jeep are not very expensive – a set four will cost between $100 and $180. The premium options will cost more, up to $300 for a set.
Summary
Fenders are crucial for a car’s safety, protecting the wheels from rocks, dirt, and water. They act as barriers between the tires and the car’s body. They keep the paint intact and enhance fuel efficiency.
Made of materials like steel, aluminum, or plastic, fenders vary in cost based on the make and model.
You can replace small dents and scratches yourself. If you need a replacement, it’s best to call local auto shops for a quote.
Here are some related articles you may be interested in:
Quarter Panel vs Fender: What’s the Difference?
What Is The Honda Accord Bumper Replacement Cost?
What Are the Biggest Tires You Can Put on a Stock Jeep Wrangler?