Ensure your vehicle is safe to drive this Easter
General car safety checks, including shock absorbers, are vital ahead of a road trip
With the Easter weekend almost upon us and many Zululanders heading off on family holidays, safety should be high on the priority list.
The Easter weekend in KZN is notorious for carnage on the roads and there is much that can be done to prevent tragedy during what should be a time of celebration.
Following general road safety rules such as not driving when tired, taking regular coffee breaks and keeping a safe following distance, particularly in wet weather conditions, should always be taken into account, but ensuring your car is in good working order is just as vital.
While most responsible motorists diligently carry out engine checks, including oil and water levels, ensuring windscreen wipers are not old, and checking tyre pressure andshock absorbers are often overlooked.
Shock absorbers are the single most overlooked safety feature on cars and, when not replaced timeously, can put your safety at risk and cause considerable damage to other parts of the car, such as the suspension.
So how do you know if your shock absorbers are in good condition or need to be replaced?
Here are five basic tips from the experts:
A vibrating steering wheel
If your steering wheel vibrates while you’re driving, it could be an indicator of worn shock absorbers.
‘Bouncing’ tyres
Worn shock absorbers can make your tyres ‘bounce’, creating bald patches and irregular tyre wear.
Check your tyres for uneven wear and bald patches, both of which are dangerous and will affect the tyres’ performance.
‘Nose-diving’ during braking
Worn shocks increase your vehicle’s braking distance considerably and cause the car to ‘nose-dive’ when braking.
Difficult to control in wind
Crosswinds especially make a car with worn shock absorbers difficult to handle.
The vehicle will veer in side winds and is most at risk when driving on bridges, cliffs and narrow roads.
Leaking oil
If the shock absorber is leaking oil, it must be replaced immediately.
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