Dear Mike,
I’ve been considering upgrading my vehicle’s suspension and have been intrigued by air ride suspension. However, I’m not sure if it’s the right choice for me. Can you provide some insight on the pros and cons of air ride suspension on vehicles? Will it provide a smoother ride? Are there any potential drawbacks or maintenance concerns?
Thanks in advance,
Serenity
Dear Serenity,
I’m glad to hear you’re considering giving your ride an upgrade with an air ride suspension. While the extra cost consideration is understandable, the smoother ride and improved towing capabilities are definitely benefits worth considering.
Let’s start with the positives. As you already mentioned, air ride suspension offers a smoother ride than traditional steel spring suspension. It’s like riding on a magic carpet, minus the genie. Air filled shocks allow for a much more comfortable driving experience, and air suspension is often adjustable for those times when you need to climb over speed bumps or get through a bumpy dirt road.
But wait, there’s more! Air suspension also gives you the option to adjust firmness for towing capacity. SUVs and trucks with the feature can pump up their firmness when towing heavier loads, whereas traditional steel spring suspension vehicles are susceptible to sinking and sagging under extreme weights. Air ride suspension is like the Hulk of suspensions – it gets stronger when it needs to.
Now let’s talk about the potential downside: cost. Air ride suspension isn’t always included in the initial purchase price, and it can be a pricey add-on in some vehicles. But let’s not forget that you’re investing in your comfort, and who doesn’t deserve a little luxury?
But there’s a bigger issue at hand when it comes to maintenance. If air suspension fails, it can be quite costly to fix. And if it breaks mid-ride, welp…you could be driving like you’re in a disco, tilting to one side like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. It’s important to keep up with regular maintenance on air ride suspension, just like any feature on your car. But the key takeaway here is, when it’s working well, it’s a ride that can make you feel like you’ve got a butler in the trunk.
In conclusion, air ride suspension definitely has its benefits, but it’s important to consider the potential costs of maintenance if you’re purchasing a used vehicle with it. However, if you’re looking to improve ride quality and towing capabilities in a new vehicle, air ride suspension is a worthwhile investment. And hey, if you do decide to go for it, maybe you’ll run into a real genie who’ll make all your driving dreams come true! (No promises, though.)
Best of luck with your search for the perfect ride,
Mike Urban
Founder of Urban Automotive, The Top Google Rated Auto Repair Shop in Oakville, Ontario Canada