The shock absorbers of a car They are located near the wheels and serve to cushion (as the same word says) the unevenness of the road, fulfilling a fundamental role in the direction of the vehicle.
Some shock absorbers in good condition will give us a more stable car in curves and when we brake, making handling something very simple and more comfortable.
There is no way to establish how often they should be replaced, since that will depend on how they use the car, the roads they travel and the way we drive.
A simple trick to know the condition of the shock absorbers is the following: lean on the bumper or the fender, press it down and release it suddenly. If the vehicle bounces continuously, it means that the shock absorbers should be replaced. On the contrary, if when we release it, it bounces only once, it means that they are in good condition.
Other tips to check how your shocks are:
- Find a street where there are no cars. Drive the car at low speed and brake sharply. If the vehicle bounces multiple times, it will be time to replace them.
- When we are driving down a street, try to go through a well. If we feel a dry thump on the body, our shocks need a change.
- If you have a little more understanding of mechanics, then do a visual check on your car. Check the rubbers, bumpers, and shock mount points. They must not show signs of corrosion, nor be damp or wet, as this would indicate a fluid leak and a change of shock absorbers will be necessary.