Everything You Need To Know About Air Suspension

►Owning a car comes with the freedom of getting to choose what parts are fitted. These days, more and more popular are installing airbag suspension systems to give vehicles that low, show-car look at rest and a functioning suspension while moving. They’re versatile and comfortable systems that can completely change the dynamic of a ten-year-old hatchback. With a set of wheels and some airbags, grandma’s old Golf is about to start breaking necks.
Air suspension systems are more than just looks, though. They’re complicated and have a different design than a coil spring suspension, requiring their own set of rules and repair processes. Those quirks make aftermarket air suspension a gamble, especially when compared to OE air suspension systems. If you’re looking to learn more about air suspension systems and how they function, then look no further. Sit back, press play, and let our Content Producer, Ben Marouski, take you through the bags and bellows of air suspension.
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[@MercSLRFan]

Don't really have an interest in converting to an air suspension system but this was a great explainer on how this tech works!

[@fcpeuro]

Thank you!

[@Edgar_89]

Very well explained 👌

[@keepondoubletruckin8466]

Thank you

[@nathanek6598]

I have had air suspension on a Cayenne for 7 years. It has been a real problem! It has failed at least 4 times in the last 4 years. Its either moisture in the system that seizes the struts up and burns out the compressor , a seized height sensor, or a leak. A terrible product for anywhere with cold winters and salt on the roads.

[@LynxStarAuto]

If you live in an area where temps reach freezing, a popular practice is to fully compress (deflate) the airbags. Fully purge all the airlines of water with compressed air, empty the central reservoir and refill it with nitrogen. Let the system refill itself, then empty the reservoir again, and refill it full with nitrogen. Nitrogen will resist icing in the winter and prevent blockage from forming in the airlines, or the air springs. Because the compressor on the vehicle tops off the system with oxygen, you need to perform that nitrogen purge every 3-5 years to keep as much condensation out of the system as possible. On the hotter states like down south, this is not as important, and never done. If you buy a vehicle from a hot climate state, and you live in a winter state, this should be performed immediately before winter comes.

[@darrinstone49]

I want to install large aftermarket air bags on several pickups I tow with. Leaning towards the rolling style bags like we use on big rigs... like Farfromstock sells. What kind of shock should I run? Like to drop height for freeway comfort & aerodynamics. Any books I should get? Thanks Dusty D

[@Hemzees]

I live in a country with really bad roads I wonder what's the correct to drive my GL450 so as not to damage the airmatic system. So many badly installed speed breakers also are a problem

[@samuelgarcia9969]

Thank you very informative and interesting. Question: a good website to find the right part for my cls550 2012 need to diagnose my air suspension, my left front side drops overnight and as I drive on the street drops also Thanks

[@peteley3150]

Very informative video. What is the typical air pressure requirement (PSI) that is maintained in a air ride suspension?

[@LynxStarAuto]

There really is no magic number as the value will vary as the vehicle is being used. The suspension compresses and expands, and thus this will affect the pressure reading of the system. As a rule of thumb, most European cars operate with a reservoir or central gallery reading of (the air tank of the system) anywhere between 200-350 psi. Most systems only use one pressure sensor located at the air compressor. This is the sensor for the entire system. Other systems (airmatic) may use a pressure sensor at each valve block. These systems display a front and rear axle pressure reading. There really is no way to monitor for leaks reliably with the pressure sensors. As stated this reading fluctuates when the vehicle is in use and there is articulation of the suspension. The only way to properly check these for leaks is to raise the vehicle off the ground, expose as much of the air bags as possible and use the good ole fashioned soapy water mix and look for a leak. Unfortunately, this can be time consuming and labor has to be charged to properly disassemble the vehicle to run checks and pinpoint the culprit.

[@antsouth3973]

My lexus gx470 rear bag has sprung a leak. Would I be aright going with the cheaper bag or is it really worth paying that much for factory. They appear the same?

[@xavier1ven]

hello there ! when i did place the order for my new RAM pickup truck I did not include the AIR suspension Im Having REGRETS about that decision now my question to you is : May I Install after Market or Even Original AIR suspension could you give me some HINTS what equipment to choose ! to make my truck AIR RIDE !

[@talklacey664]

Got a 2001 s500 and the suspension isn’t level in the rear the left rear is way higher which makes the front right look a little lower just wonder if this is a valve block issue or some sort of level sensor that’s bad . Just bought the car could use some input thanks

[@abdolhamedsharef2924]

Thank you for the awesome video, Would you show us how to replace rear suspension airbags please

[@fcpeuro]

Sure thing!

[@johnathonmcalister6645]

The air suspension on my '09 Cayenne GTS is great when it works - but I have a broken height sensor that gives me a "suspension fault" error and disables changing the suspension height. Looks like an easy job to replace the sensors - but I don't see them for sale at FCP Euro.

[@LucyRose-ie1yw]

Hello, are you looking for auto parts such as air suspension?

[@IgnitionTube]

The more you know 💫

[@fcpeuro]

🌈

[@ericwright8498]

Thanks for posting. My 04 Jaguar has air suspension. Do you know if this actively improves the cars handling as well as its ride quality? Is it similar to Mercedes ABC system in this regard?

[@user-fn7px7ew2n]

Hey I have a 04 xj8 and I wanted to know if it’s possible to manually air out the suspension on park somehow?

[@LynxStarAuto]

Awesome video but a slight correction @3:50 the compressor does not feed a spring or bag directly. It feeds the reservoir and that reservoir feeds the valve blocks which direct air to whatever spring/bag requires it. The compressor's job is to keep the reservoir topped off. It's no different that say a compressor in your garage: which feeds a tank, and the tank feeds the loads. The compressor doesn't have the output capacity to keep up with the demands of the system on the fly.

[@joseteixeira5900]

Exactly and I would add more info to tour explanation (at least regard to my A6 C6 Allroad). The compressor only comes to play on if is there a delta P (pressure differential) more than 3 bar between air springs and the reservoir and of course rising from the bottom dynamic mode to whatever elevel up. Other than that, the reservoir is enough to play without the compressor assistance.

[@ericvonstromberg3470]

I have a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee with air suspension. It “bounces” like a car with bad shocks. Is there a way to fix this?

[@jeremiahcurry4875]

Has the issue where the higher you go (for offroad) the stiffer the suspension is been solved? This made the solution poor offroad where you wante the highest level and the softest springs. Years ago I had an Audi Allroad and this was a problem. Also while it was great to be able to lift and lower the car, the parts were trouble prone and expensive. My parents have a Lincold Navigator and found it was cheaper to replace the whole system with traditional springs than replace one bad air spring.

[@JVig73]

Great video. I have a 2016 Maserati GranCabrio MC that I'm considering air suspension on to simply lift the front over high curbs and bumps. I don't understand why there isn't a simple solution for this. I've looked everywhere for a compact hydraulic or air solution solution and nothing. I really don't want to deal with the complexity and cost of a full air suspension. Any advice?

[@fonqstarr3636]

Air cups

[@mzee5533]

I’m riding on Arnott A-2726 on my W211 E320 they’re really good 👍🏻, costs way less than oem

[@fcpeuro]

We sell a lot of Arnott , they are really solid replacement setup for a cheap price!

[@LynxStarAuto]

Arnott has gone down in quality big time though ever since Covid. I would recommend Bilstein as a sutible replacement over the OEM stuff. Especially rear bags on Mercedes vehicles.

[@MrMawnster]

I came here not for my vehicle but for my ag tractor lol. rough as hell when in rough ground so hard on the back. I just wanna replace the seat pillar spring with one of these hahaha

[@Imort-vb6yo]

Who is better and comfortable cdc suspension or air suspension?

[@PeterRehn-pm8ln]

what going on when it differs 1-2 cm from one side to the other when i messur it from the floor

[@99unclebob]

great video could a system be retrofitted to my daily driver a Volvo 240DL 4DR 👍

[@fcpeuro]

Anything is possible with enough time and money

[@rrssmooth6643]

how do they operate when travelling? when the pressure is in the bag, how does it release pressure to stay the same level, when hitting a bump for example.

[@JHsadler]

They have a long-term rolling average in the controller, so it works out the average ride height over say 10 seconds. This generally rules out bumps and corners, but allows the controller to see if the rear is sagging for example

[@k.johnsonj5338]

How much does it cost to remove this air suspension system.

[@drtb69]

How about converting an older 60's 70's vehicle to air?

[@stipem8360]

Hello everyone, maybe my question is stupid, does rubber ring in front bag (rings on schock absorber column) can be lubricated with some grease, or they must be dry? I guess a better option, if it's lubricated, is a rod that the cushion slides on, to prevent the rubber (o ring) from wearing out.

[@utuber2940]

I have it on my 2014 equus ultimate and it's been a pain in my f....king ass!!! I'm getting regular shocks and struts installed..

[@alext8828]

Superficial.

[@willmill409]

I wanna buy an old gl450 mercedes but the air suspension is a little intimidating

[@utuber2940]

Don't do it...or be ready to spend big bucks to have it fixed because Joe's corner auto fix won't be able to....this is why in my Hyundai equus ultimate I'm converting to traditional struts and shocks

[@dalebrightly6178]

I bought a 2011 and I love it. I have my first bag leak after almost 2 years of driving. And it’s a very minor one. Total to replace is about 750 roughly … not insane.

[@eb4753]

Hey im not sure if there is anyone here still to reply but i have question. Basically one of my suspension air bags was leaking and the pump was definitely working today after i drove bag completely collapsed and pump did not pump it I took bag out ordered new one My question is will the air compressor work when i put new bag in maybe if it was completely deflated thats why it didn't work anymore? Maybe bag has to hold some air for compressor to work?

[@fcpeuro]

Hi EB, the compressor can be damaged if it continues to run for an excessive amount of time. Once you replace your airbag, if the compressor does not kick on your may need to diagnose from there.

[@ahmadsaleh9635]

Which car is it? if its a merc, the compressor is fine, its your collapsed bag.