“Karachi ki sarkon par baray khaday hain yaar”, heard of this? I’m sure you have. Well thanks to your car’s suspension, you don’t feel much of these bumps when you are driving your car. The major part of a suspension system is a shock absorber and that is what this blog post is about. We will be discussing what a shock absorber is, after which we would move onto how you can know that you need a new shock absorber. In the end there will be a word of advice customized to Pakistani drivers, because Pakistan I love my country and I don’t mind a bit if I have to an extra mile for my fellow countrymen.
Source: ClearMechanic
What is a Shock Absorber?
A shock absorber controls the movement of a vehicle. Providing stability, comfort to occupant of vehicle. The job of actually absorbing a shock is mostly done by the springs while the shock absorber damps excessive motion which stops the vehicle from bouncing. Hence the alternative name “damper” for this car part.
How do I know I need a new Shock Absorber?
For Pakistan, the bench mark for changing your shock absorbers is 60,000 Kms. Alongside that there are some indications which one can be wary of and which can tell you that you need a new shock absorber.
- Longer stopping distance: Although Shock Absorbers aren’t the only reason for this symptom, it is one. This symptom is a very clear explanation of how important a shock absorber is. It can be the difference between an accident happening. Scary, isn’t it?
- Vibrations in steering wheel: When you are driving your car and the steering wheel seems to vibrate, this can be an indication that you need to get your shock absorber replaced, so be attentive.
- Body leaning during turns: When you turn your car, does it seem to lean/go towards the turning side? If yes, then this again can be a sign that you need to get your shock absorbers changed.
It is important to mention here that these signs may be hard to notice and even if you notice them they may not be because of a problem in your shock absorbers. Hence if you feel any unusual noise in your car when it is going over the many bumps in our country, you should go and get your suspension checked by your mechanic.
Advice to fellow Pakistanis:
Our roads are mostly not cemented and most of the surfaces where we drive our cars (except posh areas of cities like Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi) are considered to be off-road or ‘kacha’. Hence the shock absorbers which are made for cars abroad may not be the best fit for a car driving in Pakistan.
The good news is that there is a company in Pakistan which is assembling Shock Absorbers in Pakistan according to Pakistan’s road conditions, it is called Agriauto. Now Agriauto’s shock absorbers are the best fit can be seen from the fact that major car manufacturing companies in Pakistan, such as Toyota and Suzuki are using their shock absorbers in the new vehicle which they manufacture. Hence the debate is very clear here, there is a clear winner when it comes to the best shock absorber for a Pakistani car.
Author BIO:
Faizan Bhagat is Marketing & Sales executive at Aziz Autos, a car spare parts store in Karachi. Other than automobiles, he enjoys writing, reading philosophy and looking at sunrises on beaches. Faizan can be reached at fnm9991@hotmail.com
