Back to all

Don't Be Shocked (Shock Absorbers)

January 2, 2022

If you've ever ridden down a rough road on your bicycle, you know how hard a ride it can be.  Yet drive down the same road in your car, truck or SUV and it miraculously will smooth out the ride.  That's because it is equipped with shock absorbers.  They are built to dampen impacts from road irregularities.  But after taking hundreds of hits from potholes, railroad tracks and curbs, your shock absorbers can wear out.  Besides the rough ride that can cause, there are other ways your vehicle's performance can be affected.

When it comes to braking for example, you may take a longer distance to stop.  That's because shocks help keep your tires in contact with the surface of the road.  If the shocks aren't working properly, the tires won't make contact like they should.  So when you slam on the brakes, your vehicle will take longer to stop.

Consider what worn out shocks are doing to your tires.  Since the bumps aren't being dampened as much, your tires can bounce up and down more.  That can produce a problem of uneven wear called cupping.

And when you start out from a stop, your vehicle may not have the traction it should since the shocks aren't keeping them down on the road as you accelerate.  If you have front wheel drive, you may lose some steering control on acceleration. Obviously, many of these things involve safety concerns.

Pay attention to any deterioration in your vehicle's ride quality.  If your vehicle is starting to bounce up and down and its ride feels bumpier than before, head on over to your vehicle service facility and get your suspension checked out.  Do the same if steering response isn't as good as it used to be.  Notice that your vehicle nose dives when you brake?  Are your tires wearing in an unusual manner? All are signs that your shocks may be on their last legs.

If the last time you replaced your shocks was 50,000 miles/80,000 kilometers ago, a technician should evaluate them.  Don't be "shocked" if it's time for new ones.


Tuffy Fort Myers (McGregor Blvd)
13061 McGregor Blvd
Fort Myers, Florida 33919
239-437-2993
https://www.tuffymcgregorblvd.com

Need Service?

Request a Quote

More articles from Tuffy Fort Myers (McGregor Blvd.)

Keeping Your Car Young in Fort Myers

April 21, 2024

As Fort Myers consumers, we live in a disposable society. It's amazing all the stuff we throw away.New stuff comes out so fast in Florida, and much of it is fairly cheap, so we just toss the old and move on. It seems like when we were kids our parents were real sticklers about taking care of our ... More

Serpentine Belt Service at Tuffy Fort Myers (McGregor Blvd) in Fort Myers

April 14, 2024

Don't you hate it when you hear that squeal from under the hood when you're zipping down a busy Fort Myers road? It usually means there is a problem with the serpentine belt. The serpentine belt powers a lot of engine accessories. It runs the alternator - which charges the battery; the water pump... More

The Tuffy Fort Myers (McGregor Blvd) Guide to Custom Wheels

April 7, 2024

If you're interested in customizing the wheels and tires on your vehicle, there are a few things you should know first.Most importantly, the wheels you buy need to fit your vehicle. Not all wheels are created equal. Too many Fort Myers drivers have bought a set of wheels that caught their eye, t... More