How do you check shocks?

Simplest way is to push down on your car's body above one of the wheels as hard as you can, and then let go. The car should rebound pretty quickly into place without a lot of bouncing or rolling around. If your car seems to bounce around more than once or twice, chances are your shocks are either gone or on their way out. At that point, unless you're mechanically inclined, it's best to take it to the shop to have them professionally inspected or replaced. It's a relatively inexpensive job and can increase your vehicle's safety, performance and ride comfort.