Your vehicle’s suspension system is key to ensuring a smooth ride. This system, which includes shock absorbers, struts, and springs, absorbs the bumps and dips on the road to provide comfort in the driver’s seat.
However, its role goes beyond just comfort—it also contributes to maintaining your vehicle’s health and longevity.
To properly care for your suspension system, the best option is to visit your nearest Tires Plus. Their expert technicians are well-versed in every aspect of your vehicle’s suspension system.
Still, there are a few steps you can take at home to help prevent premature wear on your vehicle’s components and ensure a safer driving experience.
What Is a Vehicle Suspension System?
The suspension system is comprised of several key components, including shock absorbers, coil springs, struts, leaf springs, and tires. That’s right—your tires are an integral part of the suspension system!
- Shock absorbers are tube-shaped pistons filled with liquid or gas. They work alongside springs to compress and extend, minimizing the impact of bumps and dips in the road.
- Coil springs are situated near the shock absorbers and bear much of the impact from road irregularities.
- Struts combine a shock absorber and a spring into one assembly. Struts offer structural support to your vehicle and are typically found on just one axle of certain vehicles.
- Leaf springs consist of several curved metal plates clamped together. Commonly used in vehicles with solid rear axles, they help reduce vertical vibrations.
- Tires, the only suspension components in direct contact with the ground, absorb much of the road’s impact before transferring it to the shocks and struts.
Basic Car Suspension Maintenance
While suspension maintenance is generally best left to professionals at Tires Plus due to its complexity and importance, there are simple tasks you can handle yourself, mainly involving tire care.
1. Check Your Tire Pressure
Since tires are the only suspension parts touching the ground, maintaining proper inflation is essential. Refer to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI level, usually found on a sticker in the driver’s side door jamb.
Use a reliable tire gauge to check the pressure of each tire. Inflate or deflate as needed to match the recommended PSI level. If a tire is overinflated, let it cool for at least three hours before confirming the reading and adjusting as necessary.
2. Check Your Tread Depth
Good tire health also depends on adequate tread depth. Inspect your tires for low or bare spots. Tread depth should exceed 2/32 of an inch; you can use the penny test for a quick measurement.
Uneven tread wear may signal issues with the suspension or the need for a wheel alignment. If you detect uneven wear, visit your nearest Tires Plus for a professional evaluation.
How to Know If Suspension Parts Need Replacing
Several symptoms can indicate that components of your suspension system may require replacement. Watch for these signs:
- A bumpier ride than usual
- Your vehicle swaying back and forth during turns
- The vehicle sitting lower than normal
- Uneven tire wear
- Rocking or bouncing when braking
- Oil leaks from the struts or shocks
Different symptoms can point to various issues within the suspension system. A professional inspection at Tires Plus is the best way to identify and resolve the problem.
Maintain Your Suspension With Tires Plus
For optimal suspension system performance, regular maintenance checks—starting at 50,000 miles—are recommended.
At Tires Plus, expert technicians are knowledgeable about every aspect of your vehicle’s suspension, from identifying worn components to performing necessary replacements.
Schedule an appointment online or call your local Tires Plus to arrange a suspension system maintenance check.