Side Impact Beam (Door Beam)
A side impact beam is a strong steel or aluminium bar inside a door that reduces intrusion into the cabin in a side crash.
What is Side Impact Beam (Door Beam)?
It runs roughly horizontally between the door hinges and lock area. It works together with the B-pillar and sill. Most modern cars have one in every side door. Some cars use roof rails and cross members in addition to door beams to resist side impacts.
How it works
The beam transfers impact load into the door frame and body pillars rather than letting the door fold inwards.
Why it matters for your car
Do not cut or drill a door beam when fitting speakers or accessories. Replacement doors should come with the correct beam fitted.
Other terms
- Auto-dimming Mirror (Electrochromic Mirror)
- Battery Recycling
- Carbon-ceramic Brakes
- Centre Console
- CHAdeMO Connector
- Child Lock (Child Safety Lock)
- Cold Start
- Crossplane Crankshaft
- Electronic Parking Brake
- Exhaust Hanger (Exhaust Mount)
- Headlight Restoration
- Lever Arm Damper
- Rocker Arm
- Shock Absorber
- Solid-state Battery
- Trade-in (Part Exchange)
- Water-in-fuel Sensor
- Wheel Runout
- Window Switch
- WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure)