If your car could talk, after this recent McHenry winter, this is what it might say: “Oh, my aching shocks and struts. You try running through pothole after pothole and see how it feels.”

Of course, in a way, your car may be speaking to you anyhow. Only, instead of “Oh, my aching shocks and struts,” it may something that sounds more like “Squeak, squeak” as it goes down the road. At the same time, it may communicate with you using a little body language.

For your car, body language may come across as a rocking up and down motion when going over bumps. It may also come across as a jarring jolt when hitting a pothole.

The sad truth is that winter is not kind to your car’s shocks and struts. In fact, a McHenry winter is downright abusive for your shocks and struts. Your shocks and struts have a right to feel abused.

What does it mean for your car if the shocks and struts are worn? From your immediate perspective, it will probably come across as a rougher ride when driving. But, you’re not the only one who is liable to feel the effects of worn shocks and struts. In the long run, you may feel it in your wallet if you don’t take care of your car’s shocks and struts now.

You may feel those worn shocks and struts in your wallet because, if they’re not replaced promptly, they’re liable to do damage to other parts of the car, from the tires to steering and suspension parts. In fact, worn shocks and struts are rough on the entire car.

Properly operating shocks and struts help to soften the blow from those potholes and such. They’re the heroes of creating a smooth ride and saving wear and tear on your vehicle. But, they pay a price for that essential work they do.

Worn or damaged shocks and struts can also affect your ability to steer your car and to stop. In other words, it’s also a safety issue.

It only takes a qualified auto repair shop a few minutes to determine if your car needs new shocks and struts. It’s well worth having the car’s shocks and struts checked and, as another McHenry winter has just passed, this is an optimal time to do that.