Auto shocks are one of those invisible pieces of technology that make our lives more comfortable without us even realizing it. Shocks control the movement from your vehicle’s suspension to make your vehicle’s ride smoother, instead of rough or bouncy like older vehicles. When should you get auto shock maintenance? Let’s find out.

How To Know When To Get Auto Shock Maintenance

Most shocks last about 50,000 miles, depending on where you live and the type of driving you do. Cars that do a lot of offroading, for example, can expect a much shorter lifespan than cars that stick to city streets. Since the average car shocks take a while to wear out, it’s often hard to notice that they’re beginning to give out when you drive every day.

Unlike many other components in your car, auto shocks don’t directly affect your engine performance. It’s easy to put this piece of maintenance at the very bottom of your to-do list. Here’s how to tell when you need to get auto shock maintenance.

Your Ride Is Bouncy

…and we’re not talking about bouncing lowrider cars! The number one tell that your shocks are shot is a bouncy ride. When you drive over bumps in the road, your car shouldn’t be bouncing all over the place. Likewise, your traction control system (TCS) light shouldn’t flicker on when you drive over bumps. When your TCS turns on over rough terrain, this means that your vehicle’s wheels are having difficulty keeping enough grip while the wheels are bouncing off the road.

Your Shocks Are Singing

Well, not literally. But if you hear strange creaks, pops, or groans when your car goes over bumps in the road, that’s a good sign that your shocks need replacing. Your shocks start to squeak or creak when the lubrication in your suspension system wears out.

Your Car Starts Bottoming Out Regularly

Unless you have an extreme lowrider or your car has a very low profile, regularly bottoming out over speedbumps, railroad tracks, steep driveway skirts, or uneven terrain is another big sign that you need auto shock maintenance.

You can actually damage your vehicle’s undercarriage if the bounce in your car is extreme enough for it to touch the road. It’s important to get your shocks replaced in order to prevent potentially costly maintenance later.

Your Car Dives Forward When You Accelerate Or Brake

It’s normal for your car to lean slightly forward or back when you accelerate or brake quickly – that’s just physics at play. However, when your vehicle significantly dives forward (or backward) when you accelerate or brake, that can be a sign that your shocks need replacing. Remember that your shocks mitigate excessive motion, so this extreme movement means that your shocks can no longer do their job.

Similarly, it’s normal for your car to lean in the direction you are traveling when you are making turns. Healthy shocks will help minimize this lean while shocks in bad condition will result in an extreme lean. This may sound like a minor inconvenience, but it can actually impact the handling and safety of your vehicle.

Auto Shock Maintenance at T3 Atlanta

There’s an easy test you can perform at home to tell if auto shock maintenance is about to make its way to the top of your to-do list. Grab a friend and push down as hard as you can on each corner of the car, then let go. If the vehicle keeps bouncing after you let go, your shocks need to be replaced.

The best surefire way to tell if your vehicle needs new shocks is to have a trained mechanic inspect your suspension system. T3 Atlanta is here for you. We’ll inspect your vehicle and recommend the best course of action to ensure your ride is safe and comfortable. Give us a call or visit us at one of our convenient metro Atlanta locations in Smyrna or Decatur.