AIR SUSPENSION….looking forward to the smooth ride.

[LDRHAWKE]

The Benefits and Drawbacks of an Air Suspension System
The Benefits and Drawbacks of an Air Suspension System

The United States developed the air suspension system during World War II specifically for heavy aircraft. The original purpose of air suspension was to save weight with a compact construction.



BY HEARST AUTOS RESEARCH

The United States developed the air suspension system during World War II specifically for heavy aircraft. The original purpose of air suspension was to save weight with a compact construction. Back then, air suspension systems were also used in other aircraft and some heavy trucks to achieve a self-leveling suspension. This would ultimately result in a vehicle with an axle height independent of the weight of a vehicle's cargo.



Ultimately, the air suspension system offers several benefits and drawbacks for drivers who rely on larger trucks and vehicles to carry heavy loads.

What Is an Air Suspension System?

An air suspension system is a style of vehicle suspension that's powered by an electric pump or compressor that pumps air into flexible bellows that are typically made out of a textile-reinforced type of rubber. Additionally, Pro Car Mechanics describes air suspension as a replacement to the leaf suspension or coil spring system with airbags composed of polyurethane and rubber. A compressor inflates the bags to a certain pressure in order to behave like springs. Air suspension also differs from hydropneumatic suspension because it uses pressurized air instead of pressurized liquid.

What's the Purpose of an Air Suspension System?

In most cases, air suspension is used to achieve a smooth and constant driving quality, but in some instances, sports suspensions feature an air suspension system too. Similarly, air suspension replaces a conventional steel spring suspension in heavier vehicle applications, like trucks, tractor-trailers, passenger buses, and even passenger trains. Air suspension has also become popular in low-riding trucks like this gorgeous 1982 Dodge D200 Camper

What Is Electronically Controlled Air Suspension?

According to the company now known as Dunlop Systems and Components, at the start of the 1990s, Dunlop developed and installed the Electronic Controlled Air Suspension (ECAS) system on the 1993 Range Rover Classic and again on the Range Rover P38A. The United Kingdom-based company developed the ECAS to include several key features:

• Vulcanized, heavy-duty rubber air springs at each of the vehicle's wheels
• An air compressor in the vehicle's trunk or under the hood of the vehicle
• A storage tank for compressed air, which allows you to store air at around an average of 150 PSI
• Valve blocks which direct air to the four springs from the storage reservoir through a set of solenoids, valves, and o-rings
• ECAS computer that communicates between the vehicle's main computer to calculate where to direct air pressure
• Air pipes connecting from the storage tank to the air springs that channel the flow of air throughout the suspension system
• A desiccant-filled drier canister to keep the internal recesses of the system dry

The electronically controlled air suspension also features height sensors that are based on sensing resistance in contact with the terrain on all four of the vehicle's corners to provide height reference for all corners. Additionally, further advancements are beginning to feature some Electronic Control Units (ECUs) that are able to fit under the vehicle's floorboard, making air suspension more widely featured in everyday driving.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Air Suspension Systems

According to Future Marketing Insights, the total value of the air suspension market at the end of 2017 was around $4.3 million. So whether it's a manual or electronic air suspension system, the benefits can greatly improve the ride of the vehicle. Take a look of some of the benefits of air suspension:

• More driver comfort due to the reduction in noise, harshness, and vibration on the road that can cause driver discomfort and fatigue
• Less wear and tear on the suspension system due to reduced harshness and vibration of heavy-duty driving
• Trailers last longer with air suspension because the system components don't take on as much vibration
• Air suspension reduces the tendency of short wheelbase trucks to bounce over rougher roads and terrain when the vehicle is empty
• Air suspension improves the ride height based on the load weight and a vehicle's speed
• Higher corner speeds due to air suspension being better suited to the surface of the road

Air suspension increases the transport capabilities of trucks and trailers by providing a better grip that levels the entire suspension. An air suspension system can also be adjusted for feel, so drivers can choose between a softer feel for highway cruising or a harder ride for improved handling on more demanding roads.

In the case of hauling heavy loads, air suspension offers more consistency and keeps all wheels even. The air suspension system keeps trucks level from side to side, especially in cases where cargo is difficult to level. This results in reduced body roll when turning corners and curves.

Even with the benefits of an air suspension system, Driving Tests New Zealand suggests several drawbacks. Some of these disadvantages that so and so reports include:

• The initial costs of purchasing and installing an air suspension system — air suspension can also sometimes reach three times the cost in repairs as a leaf suspension system over 10 years' time
• Fuel overheads for running compressors for occasionally pumping air to the correct pressure
• Fuel efficiency can suffer from the heavier weight of air suspension over the weight of leaf suspension
• An air suspension system's vulnerability to air leaks can result in malfunctions

Some of the drawbacks of air suspension systems are because of some of the mechanical issues they can be vulnerable to. Several of the common issues with air suspension systems that can require repair include:

• Rust or moisture damage from the inside that can lead to the air struts or bags to malfunction
• Failure of the air suspension tubing connecting the air struts or bags to the air system
• Air fitting failure resulting from initial fitting or infrequent use
• Compressor burn out due to air leaks in the springs or air struts from the compressor constantly engaging to maintain the proper air pressure

Even with these common mechanical problems, the benefits can far outweigh the drawbacks.




Reviews that mention “ride quality”

Drives like a Lexus LS460

Mark, 11/15/2021

2022 Ram 1500 Limited 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.6 ft SB (5.7L 8cyl 8A)




I have had five Ford F-150 including two raptors. I test drove the Ram 1500 Limited and the ride was incredible. It reminded me of my 2009 Lexus LS 460 . I really liked the soft Lexus ride. It could not believe that the Ram 1500 Limited drives like a Lexus as a result of the Air suspension. I immediately purchased the vehicle .

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[cvalue13]

appears “Hearst Autos Research” has discovered Chat GPT

 

[MonkeyDeLuffy]

'Air fitting failure resulting from initial fitting or infrequent use'
vs
'Compressor burn out due to air leaks in the springs or air struts from the compressor constantly engaging to maintain the proper air pressure'

Very interesting. CT drivers become pickles naturally.

 

[LDRHAWKE]

'Air fitting failure resulting from initial fitting or infrequent use'
vs
'Compressor burn out due to air leaks in the springs or air struts from the compressor constantly engaging to maintain the proper air pressure'

Very interesting. CT drivers become pickles naturally.

BT.......before Tesla

 

[LDRHAWKE]

appears “Hearst Autos Research” has discovered Chat GPT

Actually a Google search

 

[Sirfun]

I have air suspension on my bike forks. They work great.

 

[SolarWizard]

BT.......before Tesla

ive seen a bunch of model Ss with failed air suspensions

 

[LDRHAWKE]

ive seen a bunch of model Ss with failed air suspensions

Maybe you should buy a CT quad with spring suspensio…….

 

[SolarWizard]

Maybe you should buy a CT quad with spring suspensio…….

Oh im buying it but I am expecting it to be not cheap to own post warranty

 

[Diehard]

I expect it would take me 15 years to put 100K on my CT. The setup that provides the most reliability and minimum ownership cost in that period would be most desirable. My cousin’s Lexus 570 air suspension has been very reliable. I know a few Range Rover owners that say they will never buy anything with air suspension. My Lightning is very comfortable for road trips without air suspension. If I towed regularly or used the ramp regularly to load a motorcycle, I probably would have taken the extra risk for air suspension (not that I have any say in CT design) but for my use case if CT had a trim without it, that would be the one I would go for.

 

[cvalue13]

I expect it would take me 15 years to put 100K on my CT. The setup that provides the most reliability and minimum ownership cost in that period would be most desirable. My cousin’s Lexus 570 air suspension has been very reliable. I know a few Range Rover owners that say they will never buy anything with air suspension. My Lightning is very comfortable for road trips without air suspension. If I towed regularly or used the ramp regularly to load a motorcycle, I probably would have taken the extra risk for air suspension (not that I have any say in CT design) but for my use case if CT had a trim without it, that would be the one I would go for.

Someone previously used semis (presumably tractors and trailers) as self-evident proof air suspension is 'better' or 'best' for functional payload, towing.

There are good reasons most semi tractors and (maybe half of) semi trailers have air suspension, but most of those reasons do not translate well to passenger vehicle use cases/factors. (Similarly, many semi tractors have air ride seats inside, not found in passenger vehicles due to different contexts.)

And, nothing comes for free: on an all-in basis they make sense in semi's, but they have their costs.

I'm sure that Tesla has arrived at the correct all-in cost/benefit analysis, on average.

But even with average all-in cost/benefit being in favor, different owners with different use cases will experience disproportionate cost or benefit compared the average.

one cost of air suspensions that's a little interesting to think about is the need for energy, in the BEV context

yes, i know there is 'air suspension' in other teslas - but those are sedans with max range of 3"

i wonder if the CT's air suspension will be on 48v arch?

if so, i wonder if it sort of 'had' to be

 

[AZCYBER]

Our June 2020 Model S has air suspension. We love it. Smooth and quiet when cruising, but automatically firms up in the twisties. I had a Y loaner that rode like a truck. We are looking forward to a CT with air suspension!

 

[JoeRod97]

I expect it would take me 15 years to put 100K on my CT. The setup that provides the most reliability and minimum ownership cost in that period would be most desirable. My cousin’s Lexus 570 air suspension has been very reliable. I know a few Range Rover owners that say they will never buy anything with air suspension. My Lightning is very comfortable for road trips without air suspension. If I towed regularly or used the ramp regularly to load a motorcycle, I probably would have taken the extra risk for air suspension (not that I have any say in CT design) but for my use case if CT had a trim without it, that would be the one I would go for.

Looking forward to the air ride. I have air suspension on my Harley.raise it up for touring and softening the long rides and slam it low for cruising thru town. Should be great on the CT.

 

[Diehard]

Looking forward to the air ride. I have air suspension on my Harley.raise it up for touring and softening the long rides and slam it low for cruising thru town. Should be great on the CT.

How long have you had yours?

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