How To Know Good Shock Absorbers For Your Car

Shock absorbers do exactly what the name says they do – they absorb the shock, or dampen the ride of your vehicle. Your car undergoes all manner of bouncing and shaking from the road, including potholes, speed bumps, quick starts and stops, and more. Shock absorbers help to smooth out the ride so you’re not bumping your head against the ceiling every time you hit a pothole.


Symptoms of worn shock absorbers: To understand your shock absorbers more, you need to know the signs it gives when it’s getting worn out or failing.

  • Worn or leaking shocks can lead to unsteadiness on the road.
  • Uneven wear appearing on your tyres.
  • Vehicle shakes, rattles, and rocks a little too hard when driving over minor road bumps.
  • Swerving and dipping when applying your brakes.
  • Excessive vibration in your steering wheel.
  • Delayed or longer braking distances.

Knowing the right shock absorbers for your car: There are different kinds of shocks. With these few tips, you will know which shock absorbers are right for your vehicle.

Gas shocks: Gas shocks are generally provided as the original shocks that will come on your car. They are created with nitrogen gas and oil sealed inside, and that is what cushions your ride. This particular type of shocks will last longer on smaller vehicles than standard shocks, as they can handle the extra bouncing that smaller cars tend towards.

Standard shocks: Standard shocks are also generally provided with your vehicle when you purchase it. They are basic and standard, with no special features, these shocks will rarely last past 100,000 miles.

Heavy duty shocks: Heavy duty shocks have a larger center shaft, beefed-up attachment points and a larger diameter than standard shocks. These shocks are made with trucks, vans, and SUVs in mind – and vehicle that is going to carry a larger load. They deliver a stiffer ride until the load is heavier, in which case they even out.

Automatic level-control shocks: Automatic level-control shocks have an air pump that activates to level out the weight distribution in the vehicle and are usually found only on luxury vehicles. Any driving with a full complement of passengers or extra trunk weight causes the air pump to add pressure to the shocks in order to compensate for the added load.

Air shocks: Air shocks are more of a manual process, though similar to automatic level-control shocks in nature in that air must be added to the shocks by the driver in order to dampen the drive.

Overload shocks: Overload shocks, also known as coil-over shocks, have a spring coil fitted around the outside of the shock cylinder. This coil helps off-road vehicles such as rock climbers, and dune buggies stiffen the reflex action of the shock.

So when next you go shopping for shock absorbers you can now choose the best for your car. You can find genuine parts for your car by following this link: Online Parts Shop

About Nonso Okafor

I've worked as a technical support representative in major auto centers in Nigeria for more than twenty years. I have dealt with a variety of problems in my capacity as a customer service representative and auto diagnostics expert. I'm committed to assisting people in properly maintaining their automobiles and in appreciating this magnificent innovation known as an automobile.

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