Marshmallow’s Campfire Insight #3

As part of our ongoing Wisdom Wednesdays, Marshmallow brings more insight on vehicle maintenance, tips, or general knowledge! Here's Marshmallow's insight on why ride control is important.

Ride Control - Shocks & Struts:

Did you know that when someone says “ride control” they mean your shocks and struts. Making sure your shocks and struts are working as intended is super important. Aside from making your ride feel comfortable and smooth, your shocks and struts also have other important duties.

The shock absorbing is only part of what they do. Yes, they do keep you from bouncing around, but that also helps take strain off of your braking and steering systems. Once the shocks and struts have worn it takes more for your brakes to stop by no longer reducing momentum. This can make situations like hydroplaning even more dangerous.

Bad shocks and struts will make your steering also feel generally sloppy from poor steering response. It can also cause vibrations in your steering wheel when stopping. It can also throw off your alignment.

That brings us to the last fun fact: damage to your tires. Tires can get chopped when there's no more shock absorption. A poor alignment also wears down your tires unevenly. Tires suffer greatly with poor ride control. Bad tires also add to the dangers of driving in inclement weather.

We all know how expensive a new set of shoes can be fore your car! Better to heed your mechanic’s warnings before the repair costs pile up and your car becomes unsafe to drive. Shocks and Struts aren’t just for a comfortable, smooth ride. They are vital to your car’s suspension system.

Thanks for reading!