Air Suspension FAQ

We decided to take a look at the most common questions that people ask Google when it comes to air suspension.

 

1. Does Air Suspension Improve Ride Quality?

 

This is a tricky question.

When compared to coilovers, air suspension is no doubt a better ride!

When compared to stock, we'd like to say that air suspension does ride better than stock as well!

However, typically if you install air suspension on your car, that probably isn't the only thing you're going to do to it.

If you add bigger wheels or aftermarket seats, it won't ride as well as it would if you just installed air suspension and nothing else.

2. Is Air Suspension Good For Racing?

 

We know a few people that do use their air equipped cars for racing and even drifting!

You can properly set up your car to handle the pressure (no pun intended) of racing.

One thing you should be careful of is your install.

Make sure you don't have any lines hanging down that could potentially get ripped off by cones or dirt.

3. Is Air Suspension Good For Daily Driving?

 

We'll break this into two parts.

• Summer

During Summer months, you should have no issues daily driving your bagged car! This is where air suspension really shines!

During summer months you will be able to drive your car daily and probably be able to air-out in most areas.

• Winter

During the Winter, it's crucial that you make sure there is no water or condensation in your air tank.

Make sure that you have a water trap for your tank and that you are using some sort of antifreeze designed for your air suspension system.

Lastly, make sure that all of your lines are secure and not hanging down.

The last thing you want is to drive over an ice chunk and break a line.

4. Is Air Suspension Illegal?

 

Air Suspension isn't DOT approved, so technically speaking it is illegal.

Now, that doesn't mean that you're immediately toasted if a cop catches you while you're running bags, but you should definitely be careful regardless, because if you do end up getting pulled over, there could be some financial consequences depending on where you live.

Of course, if you DO want a similar-type ride to air suspension while retaining all of the legality, our inventory of coilovers can help you get great ride quality and ride height all the same!

5. Is Air Suspension Hard to Install?

 

It may seem daunting at first, but no, air suspension is not that hard to install.

Sure, you have to run your air lines, but that's about as hard as it kits.

A lot of people say that if you know how to change struts and swap a radio, you can install air suspension.

6. Is Air Suspension Better Than Coilovers?

 

We actually wrote a blog about this topic and you can read it here!

kiff said:

I am planning a air ride setup for my truck. What are the gov't regs regarding air ride?

Click to expand...

The biggest thing you need to know, is just to educate yourself. Have all modifications done properly, and to the letter of the written laws in your province.

The biggest point of reference for BC law is to pay attention to the scrub line, make sure your suspension has bump stops to prevent too much downward travel, and the larger your wheels, and lower profile your tires, the closer you can technically get to the ground. The general idea would be that if you were to blow a bag, or tire, that no other part of your rig, except, the wheel will touch the ground in any extreme cirumstance.

Air suspension CANNOT be illegal, and controls inside the passenger compartment CANNOT be either. The OEMs have been using air on their suspensions (yes that includes full 4 wheel systems) for decades. For example, the Jeep Cherokee, Land Rover, and the soon to be released Dodge Ram, ALL have 4 wheel independant air systems, with driver-selectable ride heights within the drivers reach, and have in many cases for many more years than most of the nay-sayers realize, with as much as 6" total travel at your fingertips.

Now, I'm not trying to start a fight, nor am I trying to discount anyone, but being from BC, and having recently moved to Ontario with a fully airbagged 2003 Ram, I do know the ins, and outs, of some of the processes. Having also said that, I now know that Ontario, is a little more lax in its rules regarding modifications, but does not mean that in BC it is impossible. Educating yourself will be your biggest ally, ALL of the information you will need to "PROPERLY" modify your ride is available. Finding someone who works at an inspection station, and "befriending" them will go a long way to helping clarify any questions.

Good luck, and I hope my long winded "rant" didn't offend anyone...

The biggest thing you need to know, is just to educate yourself. Have all modifications done properly, and to the letter of the written laws in your province.The biggest point of reference for BC law is to pay attention to the scrub line, make sure your suspension has bump stops to prevent too much downward travel, and the larger your wheels, and lower profile your tires, the closer you can technically get to the ground. The general idea would be that if you were to blow a bag, or tire, that no other part of your rig, except, the wheel will touch the ground in any extreme cirumstance.Air suspension CANNOT be illegal, and controls inside the passenger compartment CANNOT be either. The OEMs have been using air on their suspensions (yes that includes full 4 wheel systems) for decades. For example, the Jeep Cherokee, Land Rover, and the soon to be released Dodge Ram, ALL have 4 wheel independant air systems, with driver-selectable ride heights within the drivers reach, and have in many cases for many more years than most of the nay-sayers realize, with as much as 6" total travel at your fingertips.Now, I'm not trying to start a fight, nor am I trying to discount anyone, but being from BC, and having recently moved to Ontario with a fully airbagged 2003 Ram, I do know the ins, and outs, of some of the processes. Having also said that, I now know that Ontario, is a little more lax in its rules regarding modifications, but does not mean that in BC it is impossible. Educating yourself will be your biggest ally, ALL of the information you will need to "PROPERLY" modify your ride is available. Finding someone who works at an inspection station, and "befriending" them will go a long way to helping clarify any questions.Good luck, and I hope my long winded "rant" didn't offend anyone...