When Should I Replace My Car’s Shocks?

Shocks are an essential part of any vehicle. They are designed to help absorb wear and tear on your car, and shocks also help keep you comfortable while on the road.

Everyone loves driving on a smooth road, but odds are your car will travel over thousands of cracks, holes and divots during your commute. This is especially true during pothole season in Minnesota. To compensate for the bumps in the road, your car’s shocks help absorb the impact so you aren’t bouncing around on the inside of your car.

To understand how shocks work, go ahead and stand up. Take a small jump. When you land, you’ll notice your knees and legs bend to help absorb your weight. Try that same jump again, but this time, try not to bend your legs when you land. Not only is that uncomfortable, but you’ll feel greater strain on your legs because they come to an abrupt stop. Now do you understand why you need shocks?

What causes my shocks to wear out?

The simple answer is anything that causes you car to bump will take a toll on your shocks. If you drive your car to the grocery store and back once a week, odds are your they won’t take much wear. On the other hand, if your commute is more rugged, your shocks will wear down faster. Some things that place strain on your shocks include:

• Potholes;

• Uneven/dirt roads;

• Stop-and-go traffic (aka Interstate 94 at rush hour);

• Adverse weather, like rain, ice and snow;

• Hilly or curvy terrain.

When should I replace my shocks?

Similar to most car parts, your shocks wear down over time. The more bumps you hit, the quicker they’ll wear down. This is especially true if you’re doing any off road traveling or speeding over dirt roads.

As your shocks wear down, you’ll begin to notice that your car seems more “herky-jerky” when you hit bumps. You may also notice some rocking when you hit the brakes. If your shocks are really worn down, it can throw your suspension out of whack and cause thousands of dollars worth of damage.

So when should you replace your shocks? If you notice any of the above symptoms, take your car in for a diagnostic test to see if you need new shocks. Another good rule of thumb to follow is to have your shocks replaced every 50,000 miles.

Remember, now through October 31 is our Shocktoberfest special, where you can get four shocks for the price of three. Now is the time to winterize your car with new shocks, so contact us today!

Related source: HowStuffWorks