The coil spring is part of the suspension system and aids in the above functions. Coil springs absorb most of the shock that comes from the tire impacts from the road surface. For example, when the front wheel of a vehicle strikes a road irregular road surface and moves upward, the coil spring compresses and absorbs energy during the movement. It immediately dissipates the energy as the spring goes back to its original form. The shock absorbers are put in the front suspension system to inhibit the oscillations of the coil springs. Figure 1 in the appendix section shows an example of a coil spring.

Any spring, including torsion, leaf, or coil spring must compensate for the irregularities found in the road surface. There is no road surface that is regular no matter how it is smooth or well tarmacked. The coil spring also maintains the suspension system at a certain height that is already predetermined and supports the added weight in the automotive without excessive sagging that could cause damage to the car or the tires. Each of the above functions is extremely important in providing comfort for the occupants of the automotive as it moves. They also aid in the precise handling and load-bearing capability of the vehicle. These are three key areas that any person who considers buying a vehicle puts into consideration in terms of the automotive suspension system in a vehicle of choice.

Historically, the steel multi-leaf spring is the oldest and most widely used spring design. However, the coil spring has become a widely used spring design in the modern world. Its function can be better understood when visualized as a long, thin torsion bar that is made into a coil shape. The coil spring operates with the same principle as a torsion bar because of the bar twists during the spring’s compression and or extension cycles.

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