When should I change the shock absorbers on my car?

Shock absorbers not only provide driving comfort, but also represent a guarantee of safety, since they help control the vehicle, especially at high speeds and in hazardous situations. In fact, it is considered one of the three essential components of the so-called “Safety Triangle”, along with tires and brakes. In this article we will explain to you which are the symptoms that indicate that the shock absorbers should be checked or changed.

Aquaplaning

Likewise, Aquaplaning, the cause of which is poor adherence to the road in rainy conditions or wet pavement, can be corrected as it prevents a film of water from forming between the tire and the road.

Sway and side slip

Curves and sharp turns are other situations in which you must have shock absorbers in perfect state of maintenance, since they provide greater safety. In critical situations, it is essential to maintain control of the vehicle and ensure grip on the asphalt. Roll, lateral displacement and loss of vehicle heading are effects that can be corrected by having shock absorbers in perfect condition.

Steering wheel vibration

As the shock absorbers are responsible for a good grip on the road, if they are defective, they produce a constant wobble of the steering wheel, because the wheels constantly bounce, and can even detach from the road. In these cases, the vehicle behaves inaccurately and unstable. Likewise, worn shock absorbers cause the deterioration of the other elements of the suspension (spring and stabilizer bar) and ball joints.

Errors in Security Systems

Currently, the use of security systems such as TSC and ESP is widespread, whose function is to act automatically in cases of instability, lack of control of the vehicle, etc. If the shock absorbers are not in optimal condition, the vehicle does not act correctly, so these systems misinterpret the signals emitted by the car.

Tire wear and increased stopping distance

Tires are other elements that are damaged by their malfunction, getting to wear down to reduce their useful life by 20%. If worn tires are combined with shock absorbers in poor condition when braking a vehicle traveling at 100 km / h, the distance can increase by 3 meters. It is even more dangerous if the vehicle has the ABS braking system, increasing the braking distance up to 5 meters. This is because in these cases, the tire bounces and jumps, losing contact with the asphalt.

Change shock absorbers every 60,000 kilometers

Experts advise replacing the shock absorbers and suspension legs of a car every 60,000 kilometers. Tests have shown that original equipment shock absorbers and suspension legs deteriorate noticeably at 60,000 kilometers. In many common vehicles the replacement of these worn parts can improve the handling and comfort characteristics.

Tips

• If you notice any of these symptoms, we recommend that you go to your trusted mechanic, he is the one who can help you the most.