When keeping your vehicle’s brake and suspension components in good repair, your car will be safer to drive.
Most owners are good at keeping their braking systems up to par due to the fact worn out brakes give you audible signals, such as squealing or grinding. Unfortunately, when it comes to suspension issues, the driver may not even be aware of them. This is especially true with worn out struts and shocks.
First, let’s cover what your struts and shocks actually do. If your answer is, “They stop your vehicle from bouncing,” you are only 30 percent correct. Struts and shocks serve three purposes, ride comfort, provide downward pressure to keep the tires in contact with the road, and control the movement of your suspension during maneuvers.
So, to simplify, struts and shocks help the driver control the vehicle and provide a comfortable ride. Because struts and shocks lose their functionality slowly over a long period of time, the driver is unaware of any issue.
When your struts and shocks start to weaken, your stopping distances will increase, and the vehicle will not respond as fast to driver input when making sudden changes in direction. So, when you need to make that sudden stop, having good struts and shocks can be the difference between hitting the vehicle in front or stopping in time.
Also, when it comes time to avoid that piece of debris in the road, well maintained struts and shocks will allow you to dodge around it and return to your previous path with much less effort.
It is very important to have your struts and shocks inspected at least once a year. A qualified technician can spot signs of potential problems, such as fluid leakage or worn parts. Manufacturers advise that when your vehicle reaches 50,000 miles, your struts and shocks have already become compromised. It is recommended to have them replaced before 100,000 miles. Replacing your worn struts and shocks will give your car a like new feel and improve its safety.
H and I Automotive, located at 5338 E. Main St., will inspect your struts and shocks during every visit. We have been serving the East Valley since 2009, and have two Automotive Service Excellence certified master technicians on staff. We provide complete automotive care and repair. Please call us at (480) 985-9279, or visit us online at www.handiautomotive.com.