polystyrene foam, What the?

[ToXiCFiSH79]

G'day all,

Was peeking around the engine bay last night (with a torch) but i noticed on our Kluger (fitted with factory nudge bar) two large polystyrene pieces encasing a silver 'aluminium' block. They are located in two places;

1) standing at the front of the car, look down on your battery then underneath, then slightly towards the front of the car

2) Same place, on the drivers side

Is this something to do with the SRS Airbags, and WTF is with the foam blocks?!?

Almost as good an idea as putting some kind of fabric material in the wheel arches (rear wheel arches) does everyone have that BS aswell?

[DJKOR]

The foam is there for crash absorption. My Aurion has nearly all of the front side quarter panels filled with black foam as well. You may not think it, but that polystyrene foam can actually absorb quite a bit of impact. So it's not really a stupid idea. Think about it... bicycle helmets are pretty much made completely out of it, and motorcycle helmets are lined with it.

And yeah, I also have that fabric material in the rear wheel arches. Surprisingly though, it cleans rather easy and looks cleaner than the front.

[MT]

Pedestrian safety. Supposed to help the pedestrian bounce when you ram into them.

Doesnt do much when another car hits you at speed.

[PC XT]

They are like floaties for river crossings