Here’s What the Grab Handles On Your Car Are Actually For

To most of us, grab handles in vehicles are ubiquitous. Usually, they just hang out over our heads as we travel to and from, and occasionally, they give us a sense of security when we get startled or jostled.

But grab handles are now trending beyond safety and convenience features, says Richard McClellan, founder of the luxury car customization shop Elite Customs. “Grab handles, often known as ‘Oh, sh*t, handles,’ are getting attention because they can be customized with different materials, colors and designs,” he says. “Plus, with off-roading vehicles growing in popularity, grab handles have become even more prominent.”

If you’ve been wondering what those grab handles on your car are for, here’s what you need to know about them, plus what you should actually do with them.

What Are the Grab Handles On Cars For?

Grab handles are commonly used to help people get in and out of vehicles. However, technically speaking, they’re not designed for that use, says Eric Ruble, a senior communications specialist with Nissan. In fact, Nissan’s vehicle owner manuals warn against it, stating, “This may cause damage to the assist grip and cause you to fall.”

According to Ruble, grab handles’ true purpose is to “help passengers find a comfortable seating position and provide extra stability on rough terrain.”

Chris “Moose” Pyle, an auto expert at JustAnswer.com, adds that for people who have difficulty getting in and out of vehicles, it’s preferable to reach for the grab handles instead of the steering wheel. “Using the steering wheel as a handle to get into and out of the vehicle results in the steering wheel turning and locking and, over time, wears out the steering column bearings, since force on the steering wheel is not occurring the way it was designed for,” says Pyle.

What Are Grab Handles on Cars Not For?

A common myth is that grab handles are there to brace yourself during a crash, says McClellan, but that’s the job of seat belts and airbags. “Additionally, grab handles shouldn’t be used for hanging clothes or securing pet leashes, as they’re not designed to hold extra weight or serve as tie-down points,” he says.

They also aren’t designed to bear full body weight, says Aivaras Grigelevičius, an automotive expert at carVertical. “Moreover, if a vehicle flips and a passenger holds onto one, it’s possible to break a wrist or even a hand,” he says.

Can I Remove the Grab Handles in My Car?

Yes, you can remove the grab handles in your car. “Technically, it’s possible to remove grab handles without legal consequences,” says Grigelevičius. “As some cars have them only on the front passenger side, in most cases, the absence of a grab handle would go unnoticed.”

Even so, it’s probably not a great idea to remove them, especially because they are often integrated into the headliner, where there may be airbags. Any modifications to that area could cause the airbags to deploy incorrectly, ultimately compromising your safety.

“We don’t recommend removing them,” says Ruble. “They’re installed for convenience and safety, and removing them could affect the vehicle’s functionality and passenger comfort. It may also raise questions during inspections, depending on local regulations.”

However, grab handles are generally not structural, says McClellan, so technically they can be removed and modified for different uses, though that could also affect your vehicle’s resale value.

About the Experts

• Richard McClellan is a lifetime auto enthusiast and the founder of Elite Customs, a luxury car customization shop in Franklin, Tennessee
• Eric Ruble is senior communications specialist for technology and safety at Nissan
• Chris “Moose” Pyle is a master-certified technician with 20-plus years of automotive experience. He has also worked as an expert for JustAnswer.com since 2006
• Aivaras Grigelevičius is an automotive expert at carVertical, and has a decade of experience writing about vehicles and the automotive industry.