One of the most used components of your car is the suspension system. It is constantly at work, even when the car is just parked idly. And among the various parts that make up the suspension system, the shocks and struts are two of the most important since they absorb the impact of road undulations and the weight of your car. And so, it is essential to keep them in good health. Here are a few tips that you can follow to achieve that.
Your car’s suspension system relies a lot on the tyres. Keep them properly inflated to the manufacturer’s specifications at all times and your suspension system should last for a long time. While inflating tyres, ensure that all four of them carry the same level of pressure.
Uneven tyre pressures can put a lot of strain on the suspension, ultimately leading to failure. This is simply because having higher a tyre pressure on one or more tyres tilts the car slightly towards the side with the lower tyre pressure, thereby putting more strain on the shocks and struts.
The best way to maintain your shocks and struts is to take it easy while driving your car. Although this might sound quite obvious, many drivers have a habit of not adhering to this tip. Always slowdown when you approach a speed hump or a pothole. Going over them at high speeds can lead to an early suspension system failure or maybe you got echallan on your vehicle for violating traffic rules. Paying e challan will put an extra burden on your pocket so you need to obey all traffic rules as per the government.
You can also end up damaging your tyres or even your wheel rims, leading to a costly repair which your car insurance may not cover. That said, doing it once or twice may not cause a problem, but ensure that it doesn’t happen all too frequently.
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- Have them cleaned at regular intervals
Driving over muddy roads or waterlogged streets can kick up sand, dirt, and debris onto the wheel well and the suspension system of your car. Therefore, whenever you take your car to the mechanic or the service station, request them to visually inspect the shocks and struts.
If there is dust or debris, ask them to get it cleaned right away. Usually, dust and debris tends to accumulate around the struts and can cause rusting or corrosion if left unchecked. Sometimes, debris such as small stones may get lodged in between the suspension springs of your car. This can prevent proper compression and can lead to an early failure.
- Check for abnormal behaviour
Pay full attention while driving your car. This way, you will be in a better position to identify abnormal behaviour and get it rectified at the earliest. For instance, if you notice your car pulling you to one side, it could be due to wheel alignment issues.
Not getting your wheels aligned in time can put undue stress on the suspension of your car, thereby leading to a failure. In addition to that, also look out for any noises that might emanate from the suspension system. If you notice any creaks, rubbing noises, or squeaks, get them rectified at the earliest to avoid major suspension damage.
Conclusion
Regularly lubricating the tie rod ends and ball joints is another tip that you can follow to maintain the suspension system of your car. Also, try not to drive over deep waters since it can expose the suspension system to water, which can again lead to rusting and corrosion.
Follow these tips diligently and your shocks and struts should last you for a very long time. It’s also important to ensure that your car has overall protection, with car insurance. The benefits of car insurance are not just limited to protecting you from law enforcement, but also providing you with financial protection in the event of any accidents.