A-pillar
Front roof post
The A-pillar is the foremost vertical or near-vertical structural support on either side of a vehicle's windshield, connecting the roof to the body.
It forms part of the car's safety cage and helps protect occupants in a rollover or frontal collision.
Drivers sometimes complain about thick A-pillars creating blind spots.
The naming convention continues with B-pillars (between front and rear doors), C-pillars (at the rear window), and sometimes D-pillars on longer vehicles.
Area of blocked perception
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
- sightlinePath vision travels along
- field of viewExtent one sees simultaneously
- windshieldVehicle's front glass
Vertical structural element
- supportTo uphold or sustain
- frameSupporting outer structure
- steelCarbon-hardened iron alloy
- aluminumElement thirteen
composite · welding · bonding · chassis · bodywork · load-bearing · beam · post
Forceful contact or consequence
- crashworthinessVehicle's ability to protect during collisions
- collisionForceful contact between objects
- airbagsCrash-activated vehicle cushions
- survivabilityCapacity to endure
crumple zone · structural integrity · NHTSA · safety cage · reinforcement · frontal crash · pedestrian safety
Arranging for appearance
- aerodynamicsPhysics of air motion
- profileSide-facing outline
- silhouetteFilled-in outline shape
- rooflineUpper building contour
cowl · greenhouse · door frame · trim · body panel · wraparound · sloped · raked
blind spot
Area of blocked perception
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
- sightlinePath vision travels along
- field of viewExtent one sees simultaneously
column
Vertical structural element
aluminum · composite · welding · bonding · chassis · bodywork · load-bearing · beam · post · stanchion
impact
Forceful contact or consequence
- crashworthinessVehicle's ability to protect during collisions
- collisionForceful contact between objects
- airbagsCrash-activated vehicle cushions
survivability · crumple zone · structural integrity · NHTSA · safety cage · reinforcement · frontal crash · pedestrian safety
styling
Arranging for appearance
- aerodynamicsPhysics of air motion
- profileSide-facing outline
- silhouetteFilled-in outline shape
roofline · cowl · greenhouse · door frame · trim · body panel · wraparound · sloped · raked · streamlined
- car structurechassis, monocoque, body panels, car frame, car body