Ever wonder why there is a little square panel on your car’s bumper? Here is what you need to know about tow eyes and how they make towing cars much safer.
The Mystery of the Little Square Panel
Ever notice a little square panel on the front of your car and wonder what it is there for? If you have never had a car towed, there is a chance that the square plastic cover on your front bumper has never been removed.
That is because the plastic panel is hiding what is known as a tow eye. Without it, getting your car towed would be much riskier and less safe.
Here is how tow eyes work and why it is important for car owners to know about them.
How Tow Eyes Work
| Vehicle Type | Towing Feature |
|---|---|
| Trucks and heavy-duty vehicles | Large metal hooks (or two) on the front grille |
| Smaller cars | Tow eye hidden behind a plastic panel |
If you drive a truck or a similarly heavy-duty vehicle, there is a good chance your front grille has a large metal hook (or two) meant for attaching the truck to a tow strap. Smaller cars, though, cannot have large hooks just dangling from their front bumper.
That is where the tow eye comes in.
