13th September 2024
The suspension system is a crucial foundation of any vehicle, which affects how it brakes, steers and performs on the road. The suspension is interconnected with many parts of your vehicle, such as the tyres, brakes, springs and differentials. An issue with one or more parts of your suspension can impact your vehicle’s ride comfort and driving experience.
Merityre’s guide covers essential tips for car suspension maintenance to ensure you have a well-maintained suspension system.
Having properly aligned wheels plays an essential role in car suspension maintenance. Unaligned wheels can affect your vehicle’s braking and suspension systems, as well as causing tyres to wear unevenly. Wheel alignment should be checked at least once a year, or more often if driving on uneven road surfaces. If your wheels need realigning, visit your local Merityre branch for a free wheel alignment check.
Shocks or struts which leak hydraulic fluid can significantly impact your vehicle’s handling and grip. This means that your car cannot absorb bumps and this in turn will increase tyre wear. Leaky shocks or struts must be replaced immediately to avoid further suspension damage.
Underinflated or overinflated tyres can also affect your car’s suspension system and could increase the likelihood of being involved in an accident, as it could take longer for your vehicle to come to a stop. Regularly checking the tyre pressure across all four tyres ensures every part in your suspension system is protected from increased wear and tear. Our helpful guide covers how you can inflate your car’s tyres yourself.
In the UK, the legal minimum tyre tread depth is 1.6mm. Having uneven or worn tread depth on your tyres can cause significant damage to your suspension system and wheels. Driving with bald or worn tyres could also mean your car requires a wheel alignment check and your tyres need replacing.
All modern vehicles will have a power steering system as standard. Power steering fluid should be checked and changed periodically. Check your owner’s manual for guidelines on how often to check the power steering fluid. A damaged power steering system makes your car dangerous to drive while also leading to suspension issues.
Is your car’s suspension worn or broken? Learn more about the signs of a worn suspension with our informative article. Ensure your car’s suspension system is well-maintained by booking a service at your nearest Merityre branch today.