That average age the cars on Germany’s roads is included 9.8 years and tendency further increasing. This was the result of the latest test statistics from TÜV, Dekra and GTÜ. Used cars are very popular with more and more car buyers. 9.3 percent of all three-year-old cars have defects in at least one shock absorber. For ten-year-old cars, the figure is already 19.3 percent.
It is obvious that defective undercarriages are also high up in the defect statistics. Light and electrics are still at the top. But the chassis does not work properly in every 7th car, according to the TÜV report. According to DEKRA, 20 percent of the technical defects that cause accidents can still be traced back to the chassis. Suspension specialist BILSTEIN therefore advises check defective shock absorbers and have it replaced in the workshop if necessary. should Shock absorbers and springs are always replaced in pairs per axle to restore 100 percent driving safety.
After all, shock absorbers are among the chassis components that are particularly stressed. Their lifespan depends on many factors. Poor road conditions and frequent loading, high mileage and a sporty driving style, cold, heat, dust, water and salt cause a damper to wear out more quickly.
Spring change
Especially during the upcoming change from winter to summer tires in the spring, the bare shock absorber would give the trained eye a deep look. But the checks on the brake system, battery, oil level, V-belt, exhaust system, wheels and wiper blades still dominate the seasonal check in the workshop.
Consequences of defective shock absorbers
Worn shock absorbers reduce traction, directional stability and cornering stability, increase the braking distance and cause increased tire wear. Especially in winter, this means an unnecessarily high safety risk.
The consequences for driving safety are serious. Due to the insufficient grip of the tires, the risk increases when cornering or evasive maneuvers because the vehicle swerves faster. According to the experts, the braking distance is also increased by around 20 percent. In addition, declining damper performance impairs the electronic helpers in the vehicle such as ABS, ESP and ASR, as these require full contact with the road to function correctly. In addition, the dreaded aquaplaning effect sets in much earlier. In addition to the visual inspection, tests on the “vibrating plate” of the front and rear axles provide definitive information about the condition of the shock absorbers. The chassis test also reveals the condition of other components such as springs, axles, brakes, steering and tires.
In addition to the negative impact on driving safety, drivers also incur avoidable costs due to premature wear of tires, tie rod ends and steering components. BILSTEIN therefore also recommends having the safety-relevant vehicle parts checked by specialist workshops at least every 20,000 kilometers.
Winter check
Winter is a challenge for every vehicle. Cold, road salt and moisture put a heavy strain on vehicle components and cause above-average wear. Apart from the fact that car breakdowns and accidents are always unpleasant and annoying – in winter they are even more annoying. In order to avoid weather-related vehicle defects and expensive damage, chassis specialist Bilstein recommends a comprehensive winter check of the vehicle before the start of the cold season – especially the shock absorbers, as these are often not on the checklist. Because only a perfectly functioning chassis is prepared for wintry road conditions. This applies in particular to heavily loaded vehicles that are on their way to a well-deserved winter vacation, for example.
The dangerous thing about it: The loss of performance and malfunctions of the shock absorbers usually occur gradually and are often difficult for the driver to recognize too late. Because the aging process takes place inside the shock absorber. What most people don’t know: even younger vehicles can be affected by shock absorber wear at an advanced stage. “Regular checking of the chassis, including dampers and springs, is essential for road safety,” emphasizes Rainer Popiol, Head of Education and Training at Bilstein. “During the visit to the workshop, drivers should therefore make sure that the chassis check is an integral part of the winter check. Often only the battery and the condition of the tires are checked, as well as the oil and coolant levels. However, changing from summer to winter tires is the ideal opportunity to check the safety of the chassis and prevent possible damage by replacing it, as it gives a clear view of the dampers.”
Thanks to its OEM expertise, Bilstein is as good as the original when it comes to series replacement for car coil springs and shock absorbers. The quality of the products, which are designed for high damping power and durability, is not the only decisive factor for motorists and workshops. The fit of the Bilstein dampers, which corresponds to the original, shortens the installation time considerably. With intact or new shock absorbers, nothing stands in the way of a safe journey under wintry conditions.
Energy recovery
In the future, every pothole, every bump, every curve, the kinetic energy that is absorbed in the current dampers and lost in the form of heat, could be fed into the battery. Audi worked on the eROT system for recovery a few years ago. Another advantage is the geometry of the new damper system. The horizontally arranged electric motors in the area of the rear axle replace the vertical telescopic shock absorbers – the luggage compartment also benefits from this.