Shock-absorbers are vital safety components on your car - they keep your tyres firmly in contact with the road to help with safe cornering, braking and steering.
- POOR ROADHOLDING:
A worn shock-absorber cannot keep its associated tyre in constant contact with the road by absorbing excessive spring movement. The vehicle becomes harder to control and, eventually, a danger to the driver, his passengers and other road users.
- WORN TYRES:
Worn shocks-absorbers cannot keep the tyres in steady contact with the road. They bounce and cause tread flat spots and that means early, and very expensive, rubber replacement.
- POOR BRAKING:
When a car brakes on worn shocks the tyres tend to bounce. Tyres lose contact with the tarmac and braking distance is drastically extended - that can mean the difference between a safe emergency stop and a crash.
- AQUAPLANING:
If there is a film of water on the road and your car's tyres are worn they will lift off the road. The result is complete loss of control - but the same thing can happen if you have worn shocks, no matter how good your tyres are!
- COMPONENT WEAR:
The extra suspension movement associated with worn shock-absorbers causes excessive wear on suspension and steering components.
- HEADLIGHT DAZZLE:
Worn shocks allow a vehicle to bounce on its springs and that means your headlights flashing into and blinding drivers in oncoming traffic.
- FATIGUE:
We often have to travel long distances in South Africa. Worn shocks mean more driver fatigue because, even unconsciously, the driver has to concentrate harder on keeping his or her car on the road. A tired driver is a danger to himself and others.