In order to maintain a good working vehicle, regular maintenance is key. There are many different systems in your vehicle, and each system typically requires maintenance at a certain interval in your vehicle’s lifetime. One of these systems is the suspension system, which helps to ensure the best handling and overall ride experience for drivers. So, how often does the suspension system need maintenance?
The suspension system consists of all of the parts connected to your tires and supporting the frame of your vehicle. When you think about it, this system is constantly under heavy weight and pressure, which will eventually cause wear and tear of certain parts. Most parts will work well without maintenance over the years, but items like the shocks and struts will need attention periodically.
One important component that you need to have checked and maintained regularly are the tires. Tires need to be in good condition, properly balanced, properly aligned, correctly inflated, and regularly rotated to keep them working at their best. We recommend checking your inflated at least once a month and getting your tires rotated and balanced every 6,000-10.000 miles.
Shocks and struts typically need to be replaced every 50,000 miles or so, but it depends on your vehicle and your driving habits. If you notice that your vehicle responds excessively to every bump in the road or you have trouble steering, it may be time to replace the shocks.
Here are some key maintenance intervals to remember when it comes to the suspension system:
- Check tire inflation and tread depth every month, or every 1,000 miles
- Check the power steering fluid at every oil change
- Rotate tires every 6,000-10,000 miles
- Have your wheels aligned every 6,000-10,000 miles, or as needed
- Check all suspension components for wear every 15,000 miles
- If your are in a car accident or if you notice your ride feels different, check all suspension components for wear or damage
Of course, we recommend checking your vehicle’s owner’s manual for the correct intervals for your specific vehicles. The items listed above are just a rough guideline of suspension maintenance based on averages. If you are do for suspension system maintenance or suspect that you need a repair, don’t hesitate to bring your vehicle into the experts here at MotorHaus today!