Having your vehicle’s suspension system looked at before any long travels, as well as going to your scheduled tune-ups is important.  The suspension system is needed to be in good working order to help keep your vehicle under control, especially in an emergency situation. The suspension system helps your vehicle to provide a smoother and safer ride for you, and helps prevent you from feeling any bumps or cracks that are in the surface of roads.

What is a Suspension System?

Suspension systems serve a dual purpose to your vehicle.  It contributes to the vehicle’s handling and braking for safety and driving pleasure, while also keeping the vehicle’s occupants comfortable and isolated from road noise, bumps, and vibrations. The suspension makes up a system of springs, shock absorbers, struts, and linkages that connect a vehicle to its wheels. It is important for the suspension to keep the wheel in contact with the road surface as much as possible, as it will insure proper control while driving at all speeds. A car’s suspension system allows for a smooth ride over rough roads. The shock absorber converts the kinetic energy into heat that can be absorbed by the shock’s hydraulic fluid.  Another key component of the suspension system is the anti-sway bar, which connects the two sides of the vehicle’s suspension along the axle.  This bar is particularly used when going around corners.

Signs you need your suspension system looked at

There are several things you can notice that are signs you will need your suspension looked at or repaired.  It is always a good idea to go to your scheduled maintenance checkups to be sure your vehicle is in good working order.  The mechanic may be able to notice signs that you have missed.  Some symptoms of car suspension problems may include excessive bouncing and swaying of your vehicle, even at low speeds.  The vehicle may not handle well on the road either, which will lead to the vehicle pulling to one side or another while driving.  You may also notice that the wheels will seem to wander and wiggle rapidly back and forth.  Another sign your suspension will need to be inspected is you will notice your vehicle keeps bouncing after you go over a bump.  You can also feel knocks or clunks through the steering wheels when you go over the bumps or even cracks in the road.  The steering wheel can also be hard to turn, or it can have excessive vibrations through it.  You may also notice loose or sloppy steering that will want to wander side to side.

Importance of having the suspension system maintained

It is important to maintain your vehicle’s suspension system, as it is the key to your control and comfort while driving.  A worn out suspension system does not absorb the bumps in the road as you drive, causing you to have an uncomfortable ride and can even make it difficult to handle.  If your car suspension is in good condition, it will provide you with a smoother ride.  It will also hold your vehicle more stable during sudden turns and will give you better control of it as well. Regular scheduled maintenance inspections are a great way to make sure your suspension is in the best operating condition possible.