Your car’s shock absorbers do much more than provide a smooth and comfortable drive over bumpy surfaces. They also increase safety by making handling more predictable and manageable, and reduce fuel consumption by lessening the load that uneven pavements put on the engine.
And while modern shocks are made to last, they’ll eventually start to wear out and stop providing as much benefit as they should. How do you know your shock absorbers might be on the road to failure, and that it’s time to book an inspection? Here are the five main warning signs to watch out for.
1) Unusual Tire Wear
Faulty shock absorbers can lead to uneven tire wear, as each wheel is put under different levels of stress through unreliable cushioning. If one tire seems to be wearing out more quickly than others, it’s a sure sign of a problem somewhere in the suspension system, and worn shocks are a likely culprit.
2) Leaks and Spots Under Your Vehicle
Many things can cause spotty leaks underneath your car, from minor problems with washer fluids to more major brake or transmission faults. However, aging shocks can also start to leak fluids as their seals degrade, leaving tell-tale drips around the wheels.
3) Poor Steering
Faulty shocks can impact steering in two ways. First, they can make your vehicle more sluggish and slower to respond, making cornering more of an effort. Second, and perhaps more seriously, bad shocks can also mean your vehicle makes small sideways turns at unpredictable times, which would clearly be dangerous at highway speeds.
4) Slower Braking
Failing shocks mean that your car is in less solid contact with the road, and this often means looser braking response thanks to the lower grip. If you find your vehicle is taking longer than usual to slow to a halt, then booking a shocks inspection is a wise precaution to take before you need your brakes in an emergency.
5) Increased Vibration and Noise
Lastly, poor contact with the pavement can also cause increased vibration coming up through the steering column, and in severe cases you might also hear knocking or rattling noises as the shocks fail to smooth out bumps, transferring the impact to the vehicle’s frame.
Not all of these signs occur only when your shock absorbers are on their way out, and individually each one could be a result of a different problem that needs attention. But if you notice several of these issues cropping up at the same time, the chances are your shocks will need replacing sooner rather than later, and booking a service will put your mind at rest that your vehicle is in a safe driving condition.
