What Are Shock Absorbers? There’s more to your shock absorber than you think. On the outside it may just look like an oil pump that controls springs and suspensions but it does more than that. Aside from smoothing out the bumps and providing you with a more comfortable drive, your shock absorber is also responsible for keeping the tires in constant contact with the road. When you think about it, your shock absorber is the primary reason why you have any control over your car at all. By keeping the tires constantly in contact with the road, your shock absorber lets you maneuver your car with ease while allowing you to brake whenever you want to.