I still remember the day that I bought my first car. I thought it was the most perfect vehicle in the world, and I vowed to care for it diligently. Unfortunately, within a few days I had forgotten about my promise, and I started tossing fast food wrappers in the back like everyone else. After awhile I realized that neglecting my car was turning the inside into a garbage pit, and I decided to learn how to take better care of my vehicle. I took a class on auto detailing, and it really helped me to turn things around. I want to teach you what I learned, so you should read this blog.
Your car's shocks are an integral part of the suspension system of your vehicle. If they are working improperly, they can greatly reduce your comfort level while driving and make it harder for you to control your vehicle. Thankfully, there are a couple of warning signs that you can keep an eye out for to determine when you need to take your car in to have the shocks replaced.
Bouncing
If you notice that your car is bouncing excessively while driving over uneven surfaces, your shocks may be wearing down. This is because the shock absorbers are not doing as good a job as they need to in order to prevent your car from moving. This can place greater strain on your wheels, suspension system, and the body of your vehicle, which can create additional mechanical problems.
Dipping
In a similar vein, if you notice that the front of your car is dipping when braking (or if the rear of your car dips while you are accelerating), your shocks most likely need to be looked at. This is because they are no longer able to adequately balance the weight of your car on all four points of the suspension system while driving, making it harder for you to turn and control your vehicle in motion.
Tire Wear
Take a look at your tires to see what type of wear they are experiencing. If you notice that small pieces of rubber are being torn away from the surface of your tires (commonly referred to as cupping), your shocks are in bad shape. Your tires will bounce up and down, creating uneven pressure with the road while driving, allowing for small pieces to be torn away over time. This can greatly reduce the lifespan of your tires and can increase your long run maintenance and repair bills if left unchecked.
Leaks
Check your shocks to see if the hydraulic fluid is leaking out of them. If this is the case, your shocks won't be able to dampen motion while driving. You can find your shocks by looking within your wheel well – the shocks are attached to the top of the wheel rim, linking your tires to the body of your car. Small signs of moisture after driving are not a problem – this is often just splashed up water or condensation that has resulted from the heat while driving. However, if you notice a large amount of water within your wheel well, your suspension may be leaking, and you should contact a mechanic immediately.
For more information, contact a business such as Felix Auto Repair & Towing.
Share12 August 2016
