MECHANIC TIP: Do not fall for one of the oldest scams in automotive repair. If a mechanic tells you your shocks or struts are "blown" and shows you a fresh coat of oil on them, that mechanic may have actually put that oil there. Dishonest mechanics will fill a oil squirt can with used and dirty motor oil and squirt it on your strut or shocks to make you believe they are leaking and need replaced. If the shock absorber body is covered in fresh, clean, or completely wet oil, especially if there is no dirt trapped in it and the oil looks like it was applied from the outside rather than oozing from the upper seal, you are likely looking at a scam. Shocks and struts will display Normal "Weepage" As your car drives, a tiny amount of internal hydraulic fluid naturally escapes past the piston seal. This forms a very thin, light mist. Because it happens over thousands of miles, road dust binds to it, creating a thick, dry, dark grime. Pay Attention to Your Ride Quality: Shock absorbers control your vehicle's springs.(most shops call them ride control) If your shocks were actually so empty of oil that they needed immediate replacement, you would feel obvious symptoms: an incredibly bouncy ride over bumps, excessive nose-diving when you brake, or a loud knocking sound from the wheel area. If your car drives flat and smooth, be suspicious of a sudden "fluid leak" diagnosis from a mechanic. Take your vehicle to a highly-rated independent shop or a trusted technician for a second opinion. Big tip: Never tell them what the first mechanic "found", let them evaluate the suspension completely fresh.