The results of measurements (the dependences of temperature of the central part of the external surface on time; the dependences of the resistance force on the amplitude and frequency of motion of the rod of a electrorheological shock absorber) have shown that pressure drop in the annular channel and damper force of electrorheological shock absorbers are reduced on dissipative heating of an electrorheological fluid. A comparison of the performance characteristics of the developed shock absorber and a hydraulic passive shock absorber, and also with controlled shock absorbers of similar design but from two manufacturers of other countries, is carried out.