How to Choose the Right Air Suspension System for Your Vehicle

Your Guide to buying the best Air Suspension

Overview

Air suspension is an advanced suspension system used in many cars and trucks today. It provides a smooth and comfortable ride, great handling, and improved stability. It also offers adjustable ride height, improved cornering and braking, and increased fuel economy. In this buying guide, we'll cover the types of air suspension systems available, the benefits of air suspension, and how to choose the best air suspension system for your vehicle. We'll also discuss installation and maintenance tips to help you get the most out of your air suspension system.

Key features

  • Purpose: What purpose are you buying the air suspension for? Is it for a specific vehicle, or a general application? Will it be used for off-roading, towing, or a smoother ride?
  • Compatibility: Make sure the air suspension is compatible with your vehicle. Check your vehicle's make, model, and year to ensure the air suspension is compatible.
  • Installation: Consider the complexity of installing an air suspension. Some vehicles may require a professional installation, while others may be a simple DIY job.
  • Adjustability: Air suspensions offer adjustable ride height, which can be adjusted with the press of a button. Make sure the air suspension you choose offers the adjustability you need.
  • Durability: Air suspensions are designed to handle tough off-roading conditions, but it’s still important to check the air suspension's construction and materials for long-term durability. Look for air suspensions with high-quality components and materials.
  • Cost: Air suspensions come in a variety of price ranges, so consider your budget when making a purchase. Make sure you’re getting a quality product at a price you can afford.

See the most popular Air Suspension on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Improved Ride Comfort: Air suspension provides improved ride comfort over traditional suspension systems, as the air bags can be adjusted to absorb road irregularities and absorb shock, giving the vehicle a smoother ride.
  • Improved Handling: Air suspension provides improved handling, as the air bags can be adjusted to maximize cornering and keep the vehicle level, reducing body roll.
  • Adjustable Ride Height: Air suspension allows the driver to adjust the ride height of the vehicle, making it lower for better aerodynamics, or higher for better ground clearance.
  • Weight Savings: Air suspension is typically lighter than traditional suspension systems, resulting in improved fuel economy and increased performance.
  • Durability: Air suspension is incredibly durable and can last up to several hundred thousand miles if properly maintained.

Cons

  • Expensive - Air suspension is a more expensive system than traditional suspension systems, and the cost of parts and labor to install and maintain can be high.
  • Maintenance - The air suspension system requires regular maintenance and upkeep in order to function properly. This includes checking air levels, air filter changes, and periodic component replacement.
  • Noise - Air suspension systems can be quite noisy, especially during times of increased load.
  • Complicated - Air suspension systems can be complicated to install and maintain, requiring specialized tools and knowledge.
  • No Off-Roading - Air suspension systems are not designed for off-roading, and can be easily damaged by rough terrain.

Best alternatives

  1. Coil Spring Suspension - This type of suspension uses steel coils to absorb shocks and provide a smooth ride.
  2. Rubber Spring Suspension - This type of suspension uses rubber springs to provide a softer ride than a coil spring suspension.
  3. Hydraulic Suspension - This type of suspension uses hydraulic fluid to provide a smoother ride and increased handling.
  4. Magnetic Suspension - This type of suspension uses magnets to provide a smoother ride and increased handling.

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • Air Compressor - A device used to inflate air suspension bags.
  • Air Springs - A rubber sleeve that is inflated with air to provide suspension.
  • Air Struts - A device that uses an air spring and shock absorber to provide suspension.
  • Air Suspension Control Kit - A device that allows the adjustment of air suspension settings.
  • Air Suspensionbags - A rubber bag filled with air to provide suspension.
  • Air Suspension Manifolds - A component that distributes the air to the air suspension bags.
  • Air Suspension Shocks - A device that uses an air spring and shock absorber to provide suspension.
  • Air Suspension Valves - A device that regulates the flow of air to the air suspension bags.
  • Air Tank - A container for holding compressed air to be used in an air suspension system.

Common questions

  1. What is air suspension? Air suspension is a suspension system in which compressed air is used to provide a smoother ride and better handling than traditional steel spring suspensions. It is commonly used in cars, trucks, and SUVs for improved ride comfort and performance.
  2. What are the benefits of air suspension? Air suspension provides a more comfortable ride, improved handling, and better control. It also increases load capacity, reduces roll and pitch, and can be adjusted for different road and terrain conditions.
  3. What are the drawbacks of air suspension? Air suspension can be more expensive and complex to install and maintain than traditional steel spring suspensions. It also requires that the vehicle be fitted with an air compressor, which adds additional weight and cost.
  4. What types of vehicles can use air suspension? Air suspension can be used in cars, trucks, SUVs, buses, trailers, and motorhomes.
  5. Does air suspension affect gas mileage? Air suspension can improve gas mileage because it reduces drag and rolling resistance. However, the effect on gas mileage is minimal.
  6. Can air suspension be installed on existing vehicles? Yes, air suspension can be installed on existing vehicles, although it may require additional parts and labor.

Trivia

An interesting fact about air suspension is that it was first used in the 1950s in the Cadillac Eldorado, making it the first production car in the world to have air suspension. In fact, the air suspension in the Cadillac Eldorado was so advanced that it even included a dashboard-mounted control which allowed the driver to adjust the car's ride height. This feature was ahead of its time, and is still used in many modern cars today. Source

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.