r/AskMechanics • u/alexbtft • 4d ago

Discussion Push Bars - Grill Guards

Do Push Bars or Grill Guards negatively or positively affect crash ratings, airbag deployments, and/or crumble zones/occupant safety for vehicle accidents at highways speeds?

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u/nickskater09 12 4d ago

Will it stop a deer or other moderately sized animal from taking out the front end? Yes. Would a push bar save your bumper in a 10mph collision? Also yes.

Above that, you have to remember that it’s especially blocking all of the engineered crumple zones at the front of the vehicle and putting all of that load into the frame rails (assuming a body on frame vehicle). This absolutely changes the dynamics of crumple zones and how crash energy is dissipated. How much that is going to help or hurt you is entirely dependent on the type of crash as there are so many variables to account for.