Your car's shock absorbers, sometimes colloquially referred to as shocks, are part of your suspension system and help to maintain a smooth and comfortable ride while driving. If your shocks become damaged, driving will not only become more uncomfortable, but can also cause damage to other parts of your vehicle. Thankfully, there are a number of warning signs you can keep an eye out for to help determine when you should have your shock absorbers replaced.

Vibrations

If you notice that your steering wheel is vibrating constantly while driving, your shock absorbers are most likely in extremely poor shape and are unable to reduce the vibrations coming up from your tires. This can greatly reduce the amount of control that you have over your vehicle while driving, so it is something that you should have addressed immediately.

Bouncing

Another clear sign of a damaged or worn out set of shock absorbers is excessive bouncing and shaking while going over uneven terrain (like speed bumps, railway tracks, and other similar surfaces). If your vehicle shakes excessively or continuously after going over this type of terrain, head to a mechanic straight away to have your shocks looked at, as this bouncing can cause wear on your tire struts, tires, and other components of your vehicle.

Uneven Tire Wear

Visually inspect your tires for signs of wear. If there are bald spots or uneven wear on the inside or outside of the tire tread, your shocks may be in poor shape. This causes your tires to have poor or uneven grip with the road. This can have a negative effect on your fuel efficiency and the responsiveness of your vehicle, and it can reduce your overall level of control over your vehicle. Address it immediately to reduce the chances of an accident.

Swerving

If you notice that your car swerves slightly to the left or right, your shocks are most likely nearing the end of their lifespan. This problem can also only manifest itself while braking, causing you to suddenly veer to one side or the other while slowing down. Additionally, sometimes your car may dip forwards excessively while braking or slowing down instead of veering to the side, but still represents extreme wear of your shock absorbers. This is a serious problem that will get worse in poor weather conditions, and you should have your shocks looked at, such as by Highwood Auto Body, as soon as possible to ensure that you don't experience a collision while driving.