|
A pothole can be your car’s worst enemy, and thanks to a relentless Illinois winter, it's nearly impossible to drive down a stretch of road without hitting half a dozen of them.
Not only do these pits in the road surface make for an unpleasant drive, they can also seriously damage your ride control system—tires, wheels, shocks, struts and more.
 Shocks and struts are at the heart of this system and act as a cushion to dampen the bouncing action of your car’s springs, which absorb the road bumps. Without shocks and struts, your vehicle would continually bounce and bound down the road, making driving extremely difficult.
Shocks and struts also control spring and suspension movement to keep the tires in contact with the road. If they are worn or broken, your vehicle's steering, stability and braking are affected. And this is a safety issue. Keep in mind that your tires are the only point of contact between you and the road. You don't want anything to hinder their performance.
Damage to any of these parts is also likely to push your wheel alignment outside acceptable parameters. This can cause premature tire wear, and in extreme cases, you'll struggle to control the vehicle at highway speeds. It will feel like it's wandering all over the place.
It’s important to be aware of the warning signs that your steering and suspension components or wheel alignment need some attention.
If your car exhibits any of the following signs, be sure to take us up on our $129 Sail Into Spring Savings Package:
- The vehicle pulls left or right, or the steering wheel is crooked as you drive straight down the highway.
- There is a vibration at any speed, particularly if the steering wheel vibrates, too.
- The vehicle "rolls" or sways on turns.
- The vehicle’s front-end dives when braking.
- The vehicle shakes or shimmies at highway speeds.
- The vehicle’s rear end squats when accelerating.
- The vehicle feels like it's "wandering" when you're trying to drive straight or you feel like you having to struggle to keep the vehicle moving straight.
- The vehicle bounces or slides sideways on a winding, rough road.
- The vehicle "bottoms out" or thumps on bumps.
- The vehicle sits lower in the front or rear.
- There’s a loss of directional control during sudden stops.
If you experience any of the above signs, be sure ask us to inspect your steering and suspension systems. It's good preventive maintenance and will help your vehicle last longer.
"If you think you may have a worn out or broken shock or strut, don’t wait," says Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. "...This situation should be taken care of right away."
|
