Car Maintenance Basics: Shocks and Struts

All the intricate pieces and parts of your car work together to get you where you want to go.

Maintenance for some components is easy to remember.

Oil changes, checking your brakes, and keeping your tires filled properly stay pretty close to the top of your mind.

Shocks and struts?

That’s a different story.

Here’s what you need to know about taking care of these important parts of your vehicle.

What do your struts and shocks do?

Their main job is to make sure your vehicle stays in proper contact with the road’s surface, maintaining stability and balance.

They provide you with a safe, smooth ride and keep your car from bouncing all over the place when the weather is bad or the road is rough.

Your car’s suspension has springs that bear the brunt of the potholes and bumps you hit in the road. Your shocks keep your car from continuing to bounce on the suspension springs after you’ve hit a bump.

How do you know if something’s wrong?

You need to have your shocks and struts inspected regularly for wear and tear. By the time you notice something is wrong, you’re past the point of needing to replace a part or two.

Here’s what you may notice if your shocks and/or struts are failing:

• Your vehicle bottoms out when you hit a bump.
• Your front end dips forward when you apply the brakes.
• You see fluid leaking from the location of the shocks and struts.
• Your vehicle sways when you’re making a turn or navigating a winding road.
• You feel like you don’t have as much control when you’re driving.

How often should they be checked?

Your shocks and struts can last between 80,000 and 100,000 miles provided they aren’t hit or damaged.

But it isn’t safe to wait that long to have them checked.

The next time you have your car in for an oil change or some other routine maintenance, ask your trusted mechanic to check out your shocks and struts.

What can happen if you neglect your shocks and struts?

Bad shocks and struts can cause unnecessary wear and tear on the other important components of your vehicle, such as your steering and alignment.

When they fail, they can also cause you to lose control as you’re driving, placing you, your passengers, and other motorists in danger.

Trust a certified technician

Conrad’s will give you a free, no-obligation inspection of your struts or shocks, including a detailed report.

If you need replacement parts, your certified technician will get the job done quickly and efficiently.

Get in touch with one of our Conrad’s locations for a free inspection today!