How Often Do I Need to Replace Car Shock Absorbers?

Unless you’re driving down a gravel country road, you should expect to have a relatively smooth ride while traveling from point A to point B. This smooth ride is largely due to your vehicle’s shock absorbers. Unfortunately, these shock absorbers aren’t perfect and will need to be replaced eventually.

The answer to how often you need to replace your car shock absorbers in Athens County, OH isn’t standard for each vehicle. However, most shock absorbers will need to be replaced every 50,000 miles or so. Continue reading to learn more about replacing your shock absorbers.

Signs it’s time for replacement

Besides the mileage mentioned above, there are some other ways to determine that you need to replace your shock absorbers. Look for these signs and bring your car to a mechanic as soon as you notice them:

• Bumpy rides: When shock absorbers fail, the first thing many drivers notice is a rougher ride than usual. Because the shock absorbers aren’t doing their job, you may feel each bump or divot in the road. This issue will only worsen as time goes on, leading to increasingly uncomfortable rides.
• Braking issues: You may also experience instability while braking, especially if you need to suddenly slam on the brakes. The front of the vehicle will often dive forward and can even make contact with the road if the shocks are shot.
• Steering problems: Turning left or right shouldn’t make the entire car tilt, but it might when the shocks start to go! This tilting will be more pronounced when you’re making a hard turn or getting on or off an exit ramp.
• Tires: One possible way to know how often you need to replace your car shock absorbers in Athens County, OH is uneven tire tread wear. Uneven wear can be due to multiple problems, so be sure to have your vehicle inspected if your tread looks off.
• Leaks: Generally speaking, any fluid leaks are bad news. If you see fluid on the exterior of the shocks or struts or on the ground below, it’s a sign that there’s a broken seal. With fluid leaks, the shocks will only get less effective as time goes on and the fluid level begins to drop further.

How can I prolong the lifespan of my shock absorbers?

Fortunately, you can save yourself some money and skip the hassle of shock absorber replacement by following these simple guidelines:

• Tires: Make sure your tires are always properly inflated. Underinflated tires can put more stress on your suspension system and shorten the lifespan of your shock absorbers.
• Potholes: We know it’s not always possible, but try to avoid hitting potholes to reduce wear and tear on your shock absorbers.
• Maintenance: Nothing is better for a vehicle than routine professional checkups. A full inspection will catch all sorts of problems with your vehicle, including worn and improperly functioning shock absorbers.

Visit Dana’s Tire Center today

If your odometer is getting up there or you’ve noticed any of the signs we touched on above, come to Dana’s Tire Center for shock absorber replacement. Give us a call today to learn more about how often you need to replace car shock absorbers in Athens County, OH or to get an estimate for service.

Categorised in: Auto Shop

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