Try to imagine driving your car without shocks or struts. One thing you would probably never do is drink a cup of hot coffee while driving again. Without those shocks and struts, every time you hit a bump or a dip in the road the car would start bucking like a ship tossing in rough seas. You’d wear as much coffee as you’d drink.

Of course, that scenario assumes you’d still have coil or leaf springs built into the suspension. The point is that the shocks and struts complement the work of the springs. The springs are designed to absorb the rough spots on the road. The shocks and struts help but they also keep the springs under control.

This is why, when the shocks and struts start to wear out you’ll notice that, when a bump starts the suspension swaying, the sway – the rocking of the car – continues longer and longer. When the shocks or struts are completely worn out, you’ll also find that those coil and leaf springs will not keep the suspension from ‘bottoming out.’

What does it mean to ‘bottom out?’ It means that the springs are completely compressed. You’ll recognize this ‘phenomenon’ when it feels like some slammed a giant hammer against the bottom of the car. If you ‘bottom out’ hard enough, it can be a bone-jarring experience.

When a car ‘bottoms out,’ it’s hard on the car which highlights one of the truths about your car’s suspension. It’s not there just to make the ride easier on you; it’s also there to protect the car from rough spots in the road that can shorten the life-expectancy of car parts. Without shocks, struts and spring, a bad pothole could break a car part on the spot.

Another reason shocks, struts and springs have a vital function with your car is because of what can happen to your ability to control the car when hitting bumps. Think about taking your car off road. Going ‘cross country,’ in a literal sense, will challenge your steering skills. You’ll have somewhat the same experience on concrete and asphalt without shocks, struts and springs.

Fortunately, cars come with highly developed suspension systems that include shocks, struts and springs. They work together to reduce the impact of the bumps, cracks and potholes in the street. The worse the condition of the road, the harder the shocks, struts and springs have to work (and the faster they’ll wear out working). The more worn out your car’s shocks, struts and springs and the less effective your suspension is at helping you keep control, resisting jolt-induced damage to the vehicle and making sure you don’t spill your coffee while driving.