Observations show that when &agr; particles and other minor ions in the solar wind plasma encounter fast shocks they are heated more than protons and their bulk motion is decelerated less than protons. These effects have been studied using a three-fluid model, and the model predictions have been compared with observations. The comparison indicates that for supercritical fast shocks the three-fluid model can explain cross-shock minor ion heating which is significantly greater than that of protons. When the ratio of specific heats for minor ions, &ggr;&agr;, equals 2, both the lesser cross-shock deceleration and the greater heating of minor ions than of protons can be predicted by the model; thus the minor ion heating through the shock transition region is consistent with the involvement of 2 degrees of freedom. Because the analysis is formulated in the de Hoffmann-Teller frame of reference, the method is not valid for perpendicular shocks or when the angle is large. These results agree with the few extant observations and might be confirmed by further observations of the Earth's bow shock. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1991