6 Tips for Maintaining Your Shocks and Struts

Shocks and struts keep your vehicle properly supported. Not only do worn shocks and struts make your ride bumpy and unpleasant, they can create downright dangerous imbalances that can affect the way your vehicle handles. Keeping shocks and struts properly maintained helps prevent problems and reduces costs of keeping your car or truck in top condition. Check out these six tips for maintaining your car’s shocks and struts.

1. Schedule Regular Inspections

A skilled, certified mechanic should take a look at your suspension system at least once a year, or every 12,000 miles, to check for any potentially dangerous wear that could cause additional damage to other parts of your vehicle.

2. Keep Tires Properly Inflated

It is important to keep your tires properly inflated, as they are an essential part of the suspension system. Improper inflation will cause your tires to wear unevenly, which can affect other parts of your vehicle’s suspension.

3. Do Your Best to Avoid Potholes and Bumpy Roads

Keep an eye on the road ahead, wherever you drive in any season, but especially toward the end of winter in northern climates. Pothole damage may be severe and the force of a wheel dropping into a deep hole can significantly damage various parts of your car or truck, including shocks and struts.

4. Avoid Stop and Go Traffic

The vertical vehicle movement that comes with braking can cause excessive wear on shocks and struts. If you must drive primarily in heavy traffic or in areas where there are many intersections and conditions requiring braking, do your best to slow down gradually and brake smoothly.

5. Lessen Exposure to Corrosive Elements When Possible

Water, road salt, and other chemicals used to treat roads can cause your shocks and struts to corrode and require repair or replacement sooner rather than later. While it's impossible to avoid driving on treated roads, you can help to prevent corrosion by washing and waxing your car whenever possible, paying particular attention to the underside.

6. Always Install Shocks or Struts in Pairs

Shocks and struts should always be replaced or installed in pairs. Since both the left and right shocks or struts are exposed to the same amount of wear and tear, it’s usually recommended to replace both at the same time Routine maintenance is an effective way to prevent premature problems. Following these practices ensures your shocks and struts will last as long as possible. At Custom Complete Automotive, we offer shock and strut inspection, repair, and replacement services to keep your car functioning at its best. To learn more about our shock and strut services, contact us today!