A car is a huge investment, so maintaining it proves to be vital to keep it running for years. You probably already know all about oil changes, tire rotations, alignments, and check engine lights. But, do you understand struts and the rest of your car’s suspension system?
Struts are easy enough to comprehend, but decent research can make proper maintenance of vehicle struts a lot simpler for you and your mechanic. Read on to learn more about suspension, struts, and your car’s functionality.
What Are Struts?
Struts are a combination of two parts, including a shock absorber and a spring. A strut’s shock absorber does exactly what you would expect; it takes away a good amount of vibration when the vehicle hits a bump in the road.
The spring of a strut carries the vehicle’s weight, working in tandem with the shock absorber to protect the vehicle. Because of the way a strut bears weight, the spring needs to be much, much stronger than the typical shock absorber.
Does My Car Have Struts?
Actually, no–not all cars or trucks are equipped with a strut suspension system. While a suspension system is necessary, some vehicles have separate springs and shock absorbers. The main difference is that a sturt combine most of these different suspension parts into one compact assembly.
A quick way to tell if your vehilce has structs is to look at your owner’s manual or a quick online search of your make and model. Another sure-fire way if you’re not familiar with vehicle repairs is to ask your mechanic the next time it’s in the shop.
Why is Maintenance Important?
Suspension systems work with every other aspect of your vehicle to protect it from major damage. A faulty suspension system can cause damage to other vehilce systems, making it even more difficult and more expensive to repair in the future. For this reason, it’s important you get your suspension system looked at frequently.
Struts can wear out, and do require regular checks. Ask your local Maryland auto mechanic to examine your suspension at your next oil change appointment, or schedule a check-up every 5,000 miles.
Hillmuth Auto Care conducts thorough and necessary maintenance checks with care and precision!
Even with our most minor type of inspection, Hillmuth Auto Care checks the status of your vehicle’s suspension system. This is because we understand how important your vehicle’s suspension system is to keeping your vehicle in peak condition. To schedule a check-up for your vehicle, get in touch with your local Hillmuth Auto Care today.
