Maintaining the suspension of your vehicle is absolutely essential to keeping it running smoothly, efficiently, and safely. It plays a major role in how well your vehicle handles, performs, and stops - all of which are key components for an enjoyable ride and safe journey. Here are seven ways that you can keep your suspension system in top shape

Periodically Inspect Your Shocks & Struts

The shocks and struts on your vehicle are important in providing you with a smooth and comfortable ride, as well as improved handling. They work by absorbing the bumps in the road and preventing them from being transferred through the suspension of your car, resulting in a less jarring experience for you. Shocks also help with acceleration, braking, stability, and overall performance of your vehicle. Unfortunately, over time these shocks can become worn out due to regular wear and tear or even due to an accident, leading to a rough ride or poor handling performance. It is therefore important that you check your shocks and struts regularly for any signs of damage such as leaking fluid or poor shock system operation.

Follow A Wheel Alignment Schedule

When considering your suspension, you may not think to look at your wheels—but they are actually a critical component of the system. Your wheel alignment needs to be checked approximately every 6,000 miles in order to properly maintain your suspension. This process involves making sure that all of the components of your suspension, such as struts, shocks, and control arms, are set within the manufacturer's specifications. These specs are designed to keep the wheels straight and aligned. Poor wheel alignment can lead to excessive tire wear which will reduce your vehicle's handling ability and cause additional strain on all of the other components of your suspension system.

Check Over Bushings

The suspension system of a car is composed of various rubber bushings and joints that are responsible for providing smooth ride quality and managing the stability of the car. Over time, these bushings and joints can wear down due to age, exposure to extreme temperatures, road hazards, and salt corrosion. Neglecting to maintain your suspension system can lead to premature failure of those parts and cause poor ride quality, instability, and other issues. That is why it is essential to inspect your suspension system regularly in order to ensure its proper functioning.

Use Your Tires As A Guide

Tread on your tires is an important factor when it comes to driving safety and performance. Not only does it provide traction, but the tread can also be used to measure how your suspension is wearing. Uneven wear patterns can indicate several issues with a vehicle, such as low tire pressure, misaligned wheels, or worn suspension components. Low tire pressure can cause irregularities in the contact patches between the tire and the road surface, resulting in reduced efficiency and increased wear on the tire and other parts of the car.

Check For Leaks

If you notice any leaks under your vehicle, this is always a concern that should be addressed immediately. If your steering rack, shocks, struts, or power steering reservoir is leaking, they will need to be replaced immediately to ensure you do not damage your vehicle any further.