What Do Shocks Do?

December 7th, 2022 by

Discover what shocks do at Group 1 Toyota Southwest Houston.

Shock Absorbers and struts play a vital role on your car, but they are designed in entirely unique ways. Both parts are key to a vehicle’s suspension and how it handles the road below it. The perfect suspension system helps with the handling and ride quality of your vehicle, so great struts and shocks can help create the best ride possible. The role shocks have is more of a smaller role in the suspension system focusing only on spring and suspension movement. While the struts also mitigate bumps from the road, they also serve a larger structural role by bringing support to the vehicle chassis, especially if you are driving offroad. Both parts are there to ensure that each drive you take is as smooth as the previous one, so keeping them in the best condition will help you a lot.



 

What Do Shock Absorbers Do On Your Car?

Shock absorbers help control the suspension travel on your car for maximum performance, or more simply put, they absorb any potholes in the road for a smoother ride. This makes them incredibly important for a car because, without them, the vehicle will not be able to handle most bumps in the road. If you’re the risk-taking sort and love to go offroading, some great shocks can go a long way toward making sure you are having fun behind the wheel. On a fast car, drivers will probably need a stiff suspension for better cornering abilities, while a luxury car may want a softer suspension for a relaxing ride.

 

What Do Struts Do On A Vehicle?

Struts have 2 specific jobs on a car, like a shock, they help soften bumps in the road, but they also provide structural integrity for the suspension. While both parts are instrumental to each Sunday cruise taken in the car, struts have a bigger role on the car. Performance struts are designed to give a vehicle a firm performance at high speeds, and struts on an SUV may need to balance aggressive offroad needs while also giving drivers more control.

 

How To Tell If Struts Are Bad?

The quickest way to tell that your suspension is failing is if your vehicle doesn’t feel quite right. These small changes in your vehicle performance can be noticeable if you’re paying attention. Little things like the car leaning too far while making a turn, your vehicle bouncing more than usual over small bumps, or general issues handling of your car are some easy insights into the struts and shocks needing replacement. So the next time you jump behind the wheel, take a second to evaluate any differences in your vehicle’s performance, and if you notice any issues, our trained technicians are here to help.


Schedule Service at Group 1 Toyota Southwest Houston

Stop by and see the professionals at Group 1 Toyota Southwest Houston for your next car service in Houston. You can meet with our service team and get your Toyota assessed to make sure your vehicle is operating at its best. Visit us online or in person to schedule your appointment.


 

Posted in Service