Today's Car Care Tip: Shocks and Struts = Comfort and Safety
What is a shock or strut?It's a hydraulic stabilizer...it keeps the tire in contact with the road and dampens or stills the car body after going over a bump. If your car is like a big, rubber ball bouncing down the road you're probably dealing with bad shocks.
Shocks and struts smooth the ride and keep your tires in contact with road. CONTROL = SAFETY.
How often do shocks go bad?
Every 50-60,000 miles, when hydraulic oil leaks out or when the seals rupture.
What are the effects from bad shocks or struts?
The tire looses its ability to maintain maximum contact with the road, causing:
- Up to 50% loss in braking capacity (stop in 200 feet instead of 100 feet)
- Loss of stability and control in turns
- Excessive tire wear (cupping or chopping)
- Vibration and noises
- Excessive wear and damage to other suspension and steering parts
- Structural damage to the frame, strut towers or perches
First and foremost, get an evaluation by an ASE Certified Tech. They're the best judge of what your car does and does not need. Other ways of determining are if your car:
- Has excessive bounce
- Has excessive roll or sway on turns
- Bottoms out over larger bumps (with a thump)
- Has over 60k miles driven
Handy Car Care Tips and Suggestions
- Used Car Buyers’ Checklist – Don’t buy a used car without running through this! These are the questions every used car buyer should ask.
- Going Green with your Car – How to go green with your car and reduce your carbon footprint!
- Fuel Saving Tips – Here are some easy ways to increase your gas mileage at home!
- Report A Pothole in the Denver area – If you’re sick of hitting the same pothole everyday, use one of these numbers to report a pothole in your area!
Fluid Colors
These are what your vehicle’s fluids look like when they’re brand new and just added to your vehicle. If they’re black, smell burnt, or just past your manufacturer’s recommended service interval, getting these fluids changed can prevent big expenses down the road. Click here to see the fluid chart.
Vehicle Systems
These are diagrams of how all of the integral systems in your car work. From your air conditioning, to your brakes, to your engine, use these diagrams to see how everything works, and why certain repairs and preventative maintenance services are necessary, and can save you money in the long run. Click on any picture below to see a larger diagram!
