Your Vehicle’s Steering and Suspension

Not all vehicles are created equally, and no one knows this better than a person who has either driven multiple vehicles, or owned multiple vehicles. Some cars handle better for certain drivers than others. Some cars handle certain terrain better than others. But how does this happen—after all, shouldn’t all cars strive to work in every condition? Well, yes and no; while all cars should strive to handle well overall, certain factors make it impossible to perfect it all. 

Steering and Suspension: What it Means

What is steering? Well, we’ll tell you one thing; it isn’t simply spinning a wheel around in circles to guide your car. Steering goes deeper than that. Your car’s steering refers to its ability to correct for both terrain and direction. Some vehicles have more sensitive steering than others. This is due to the parts used in the steering column. Some vehicles have stiffer handling. This is also due to the parts used in the steering column. However neither type of steering is right for every driver; some prefer a looser wheel, while others prefer a more resistive wheel. It all depends on you as a driver. But suspension is different. Suspension is, in its most basic terms, your cars capability for correcting for, and handling different types of terrain. Average vehicles tend to have a more neutral suspension, perfect for driving around town and on the highway. Off road vehicles, however, tend to have higher suspension, and better overall shock absorption capabilities. This allows them to handle better over rugged terrains. 

How Brakes Affect Steering and Suspension

Brakes affect nearly every part of your vehicle, from fuel efficiency to, yes, steering and suspension. Sensitive breaks are great for off road driving, as they allow for better stopping and overall maneuverability. The more pressure you have to exert to come to a full stop, the harder it can be to handle rougher terrain, such as dirt or mud. Sensitive brakes are less necessary, however, for city and highway driving, although they are no hindrance in any respect, and can actually help a lot in busy city areas where stopping often and quickly is common. 

Steering and Suspension Car Repair

Car repair is necessary in order to maintain a vehicle. If you want it to run well and do so consistently, and for a long time, you will definitely want to bring it in for regular “checkups.” Getting your suspension tweaked once in a while can increase, or help to maintain, your vehicle’s shock absorption capabilities. Having your steering fixed to your liking can also vastly improve overall vehicle performance. In the end, it is not necessary to have any car repair done more than once a year, as far as your steering and suspension are concerned. As long as you keep on top of your brakes, and supply them with fresh pads as they wear down, your suspension will be less susceptible to regular wear and tear—that is, if you aren’t driving around in deep mud all the time! Keep an ear out for problems, and listen to your vehicle when it tells you it has had enough—which it will usually do through any number of strange noises. This will keep it in great running order for some time to come.