Jack Williams

Do You Subject Your Car to Shocking Neglect?

If you do, it's okay. We can't really blame you if your vehicle's suspension isn't exactly the first thing on your mind. On most vehicles, it's completely out of sight unless one of the wheels is removed.

Many drivers, if they think about their car's suspension at all, imagine that it's what's responsible for giving them either their luxuriously smooth ride or the road-hugging handling they demand from their weekend sports car. In actuality, your car's ride is the result of a complex dance between your car's tire pressure, its suspension, and its basic frame design.

In any case, your suspension's main job is actually not your comfort, but your safety. A properly tuned suspension prevents your vehicle from leaning too much while the vehicle is steered at speed, and it will also help ensure that your tire's contact patch-the part of the tire's tread that's actually touching the road surface-is as large as possible at all times. In short, your suspension helps keep your vehicle on the road-literally!

Your suspension, which comprises your vehicle's shock absorbers, springs, and struts, also affects your stopping distance while braking.

Over time, these components wear out through normal use. You may notice your car's nose dipping during braking, or maybe the cabin feels a bit bouncier than it should while hitting bumps on the freeway.

If your suspension is worn out or not tuned properly, the resulting wear and tear on your vehicle can be extremely damaging, perhaps eventually leading to catastrophic failures of the transmission or engine if left unrepaired. If these failures take place while the vehicle is in motion, they could also be life-threatening.

If you haven't thought about your suspension in a while-or ever-contact your car care professional today.

[Photo credit: Ben Hosking via Flickr, used under CC-by-2.0 license]