Road Safety Blog

Why are roadworthy shock absorbers important for your car?

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Most South African motorists may have heard about shock absorbers but don’t know more than much, such as why they are essential for road safety and why they should be in a roadworthy condition. Most motorists may have heard about shock absorbers but don’t know more than that. They play a crucial role in the safe handling of a car, and if you would like to learn more about them, then this article is for you.1,2

What are shock absorbers?2

Shock absorbers are pump-like instruments that dampen or control the up-and-down movement of a car’s springs and suspension. Besides correcting for vibrations and bumps in the road, a shock absorber’s primary function is to consistently enable the tyres to keep in contact with the road surface.

Some different types of shock absorbers2

Conventional telescopic shock absorbers are the simplest type and are always replaced, seeing they cannot be repaired. They are bolted to both the front and rear of cars. Strut-type shock absorbers are structurally more robust and are fitted to larger vehicles as part of their suspension. Spring seat shock absorbers are like both telescopic and strut-type shock absorbers. They are sealed and thus need to be replaced.

Can you drive with worn shock absorbers? 1

Worn shock absorbers may seriously interfere with the safe handling of a car. However, because shock absorbers deteriorate slowly, it is hardly noticeable to the driver. This article will show drivers the warning signs of old shock absorbers and that it’s time to replace them.

Your car takes longer to stop1

Worn-out shock absorbers cause your car to take longer to stop. For example, research has shown that a car with one occupant and travelling on a straight road at 80 km/hr requires 2.6 m more distance to stop than what new shock absorbers would do. This can result in a car crashing into the back of another vehicle.

Other warning signs1

Oil leaks, a vibrating steering wheel, indirect steering and uneven and more significant tyre wear are all tell-tale signs to replace the shock absorbers.

Safety is paramount1

We need to realize that the only contact between the driver and mother earth is 4 tyres, which make a small contact patch with the road surface. That is why anything that compromises the safe use of tyres, such as old shock absorbers, must be taken seriously. Motorists tend to neglect this safety by buying cheap shock absorbers that don’t function as they should. Such shock absorbers are usually not structurally correct and use inferior oil. They don’t pass the fatigue test, are not flexible, and are not fitted together correctly.

Buy quality shock absorbers1

It is critically important to maintain the roadworthiness of your car by using quality shock absorbers.

What about maintenance? 1

It is essential to have shock absorbers tested regularly by a reputable service provider who can correctly replace the old shock absorbers with a quality brand.

Buying and maintaining quality shock absorbers will ensure safe driving, but what if you have an accident? First, make sure your car is adequately covered. Get affordable car insurance with unique and convenient benefits like fixed premiums* and a reduce to zero excess* with PMD. T’s and C’s apply.

Sources:

1https://www.news24.com/Wheels/Worn-shocks-A-danger-to-drivers-20140526

2https://www.monroe.com.au/what-are-shocks/shock-absorbers-explained.html

This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.

 

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