When shopping for a pre-owned vehicle, one feature that can greatly enhance your driving experience is air suspension. While often associated with luxury vehicles, air suspension is becoming more common in a wider range of cars, SUVs, and trucks. This system provides a smoother ride, as it significantly reduces road shocks and bumps for an enhanced driving experience. It also offers improved handling and greater versatility, making it an attractive option for those who want both comfort and performance. However, buying a pre-owned vehicle with air suspension requires some specific considerations. In this article, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about air suspension systems and what to look for when purchasing a used vehicle equipped with one.
Understanding Air Suspension: The Basics
Air suspension is a type of vehicle suspension system that uses air-filled rubber bags, known as air springs, instead of traditional coil or leaf springs. These air springs are inflated or deflated by an onboard compressor, which adjusts the vehicle’s ride height and stiffness based on driving conditions, load weight, and driver preferences.
Key Components of Air Suspension:
- Air springs: Flexible rubber air bags that replace traditional metal springs, allowing for adjustable ride height and comfort.
- Compressor: Pumps air into the air springs to maintain optimal pressure and adjust the vehicle’s height as needed.
- Height sensors: Monitor the vehicle’s position and send data to the suspension control system, ensuring the vehicle remains level and comfortable, regardless of load or terrain.
Fun Fact: Air suspension was originally developed for heavy-duty trucks and military vehicles, but it has since been adopted by luxury car manufacturers to enhance comfort and performance.
Ride Comfort: A Key Benefit of Air Suspension
One of the primary reasons drivers seek out vehicles with air suspension is the dramatically improved ride comfort. Whether you’re driving over rough city streets or cruising on the highway, air suspension systems help smooth out the bumps, providing a plush and enjoyable ride.
How Air Suspension Improves Comfort:
- Absorbs road imperfections: Air suspension adjusts in real-time to the surface of the road, absorbing shocks from potholes, uneven pavement, and other imperfections. This results in a much smoother and more comfortable ride than traditional suspension systems.
- Adjustable ride quality: Many air suspension systems offer adjustable settings, allowing drivers to switch between comfort, sport, or off-road modes. You can tailor the ride quality to suit your needs, making every drive more enjoyable.
- Maintains comfort under load: Whether you’re towing a trailer or driving with a full cabin, air suspension systems automatically adjust to compensate for the extra weight, ensuring a smooth ride without the vehicle sagging or bottoming out.
Fun Fact: Vehicles equipped with air suspension have earned a reputation for offering a “cloud-like” ride, as they can absorb even the smallest road imperfections for maximum comfort.
Improved Handling and Performance: More Than Just Comfort
While air suspension systems are known for their comfort, they also offer significant improvements in handling and performance. If you’re looking for a used vehicle that offers superior control and stability, air suspension is an excellent feature to consider.
How Air Suspension Enhances Handling:
- Reduces body roll: By lowering the vehicle’s center of gravity, air suspension minimizes body roll when taking corners or navigating winding roads. This results in better stability and control, especially at higher speeds.
- Customizable ride height: Many air suspension systems allow you to raise or lower the vehicle’s ride height based on your driving needs. Lowering the ride height improves aerodynamics and handling, while raising it provides extra ground clearance for off-road adventures or rough terrain.
- Better braking performance: Air suspension reduces the amount of “nose dive” during braking, which helps maintain better traction and control when stopping suddenly.
Fun Fact: Some high-performance sports cars use air suspension to improve handling and stability, proving that the system is not just for comfort – it also boosts driving dynamics.
What to Check When Buying a Used Vehicle with Air Suspension
A well-stocked junk car inventory can provide valuable resources for those looking to repair their vehicles or find affordable parts. If you’re considering a pre-owned vehicle with air suspension, there are a few important factors to keep in mind. Since air suspension systems are more complex than traditional suspension setups, it’s essential to carefully inspect the system before making a purchase.
Key Things to Inspect:
- Air compressor and pump: The compressor is the heart of the air suspension system, responsible for inflating the air springs. Check to ensure that the compressor is in good working order and that it doesn’t make excessive noise, as this could indicate wear or impending failure.
- Air springs: Over time, air springs can develop leaks or cracks, especially in older vehicles. Inspect the air springs for signs of wear or damage, such as visible cracks or sagging when the vehicle is parked. Replacing air springs can be expensive, so it’s crucial to identify any issues early.
- Height sensors: Height sensors help the air suspension system maintain proper ride height. Malfunctioning sensors can cause the vehicle to sit too low or too high, impacting both comfort and performance. Make sure the sensors are working properly and that the vehicle remains level when driving.
- System functionality: Take the vehicle for a test drive and try out different suspension modes (if available). Ensure that the system adjusts smoothly and that there are no warning lights or error messages related to the suspension system.
Fun Fact: A well-maintained air suspension system can last for many years, but replacing worn components like air springs and compressors can be expensive – another reason to thoroughly inspect these parts before purchasing a used vehicle.
Long-Term Maintenance and Costs
Air suspension systems offer many advantages, but they also come with additional maintenance requirements compared to traditional suspension systems. Understanding these costs can help you decide whether a pre-owned vehicle with air suspension is the right choice for you.
Maintenance Considerations:
- Compressor replacement: Over time, air compressors can wear out due to constant use. Replacing a compressor can be expensive, so it’s important to consider the age of the vehicle and the condition of the compressor when buying a used car with air suspension.
- Air spring lifespan: Air springs typically last 5-10 years, depending on usage and environmental factors. In regions with extreme temperatures or road salt, air springs may wear out more quickly. Regular inspections can help identify issues early and prevent costly repairs.
- Aftermarket options: If parts of the air suspension system need to be replaced, aftermarket options are available at a lower cost than original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. However, it’s essential to choose reputable aftermarket products to maintain the performance and longevity of the system.
Fun Fact: Some aftermarket air suspension kits allow you to upgrade or replace parts of the system, giving you the flexibility to improve ride comfort or performance even in a used vehicle.
Air suspension systems offer undeniable advantages in terms of comfort, handling, and versatility. If you’re in the market for a pre-owned vehicle and want a smoother, more adaptive ride, air suspension is a feature worth considering. However, buying a used car with air suspension requires careful inspection and consideration of long-term maintenance costs. By understanding how air suspension works and what to look for during your purchase, you can ensure that you’re getting a vehicle that not only meets your performance and comfort needs but also offers lasting value.
