The Pros and Cons of an Aftermarket Air Suspension System
When considering upgrades for your car, researching the options will reveal many different avenues you can take. One of those is installing an air suspension system. If you’re a newcomer to this subject, we can help teach you the essentials so you can make the right choice for your personal needs. If you’re ready to learn more, read on for the pros and cons of an aftermarket air suspension system.
What Is Air Suspension?
First, let’s define precisely what air suspension means to vehicles. This aftermarket upgrade sits below the car, connecting its frame to the wheels. Air suspension systems use an air spring, which is an enclosed flexible rubber membrane, to offer the driver more control over the vehicle’s position.
The primary components in these systems are the air tank, air compressor, and air spring. The main goal of installing these is to have an easy way to improve vehicle performance, but how exactly does this benefit your car?
The Pros of Air Suspension
Air suspension isn’t the right upgrade for every driver, but it’s helpful for those who want more control over their vehicle. More specifically, more control over the aesthetics and performance. Of course, you can make these changes in various ways, so let’s explore why you should consider air suspension over other upgrades.
Performance Improvements
The most prevalent performance impact of air suspension systems is the comfort they bring to the table. After all, everyone’s driving experiences will differ due to their vehicle and the terrain they drive over routinely. If your factory springs aren’t providing the comfort you need, then it’s time to put air suspension on your radar.
Moreover, if you want your sports car to have a smoother ride on the road, the air springs in the upgrade may provide the right solution. When the springs inflate, they act as an air cushion that softens the ride, so bumps and vibrations on the road become less intrusive.
Ride Height Adjustment
Ride height can dictate a car’s performance on the road. The lower the vehicle is to the ground, the lower its center of gravity becomes. For those unaware, that lower center of gravity translates to a tighter, more manageable body roll on the road. Ride height also influences aesthetics because lower cars typically have a sportier look. However, you can increase the ride height if you prefer a wider wheel gap. As you’ll learn below, making those adjustments is as simple as pushing a button.
Easy Adjustability
Another benefit of air suspension systems is that they are very easy to use. For example, we carry aftermarket air ride suspension systems that can instantly inflate and deflate according to your needs. Drivers can do this with the assistance of the air suspension controller, but why would you need such instantaneous adjustments?
One of the advantages of this attribute is to acclimate to road conditions instantly. After all, lowering your ride has its benefits, as mentioned above. That said, speed bumps and other obstructions in the road present a problem to lower cars. If you must switch up your ride height to ensure the vehicle can clear what’s on the road, air suspension can help you, thanks to its easy adjustability.
The Cons of Air Suspension
As you can see, air suspension systems bring a lot to the table, especially for drivers who want specific performance from their sports car. That said, there are pros and cons of aftermarket air suspension systems, so what are the potential problems present? Let’s go through the various cons of installing an air suspension on your vehicle.
Complex Installation
The easy adjustability of air suspension systems is convenient, but the initial installation is less straightforward. Installing air suspension is a task for car owners who want to get hands-on with their vehicle for a DIY upgrade. However, take time to prep beforehand because suspension installations can be laborious and include cutting and drilling tasks. Of course, if you have no problem getting hands-on with your suspension system, this might not be an issue, so it all comes down to your skill set and knowledge.
Price Concerns
As you can see from the details regarding the performance breakdown, air suspension is a large-scale upgrade. Thus, it’s not the most cost-effective upgrade on the market, so you’ll have to budget accordingly. Although, that cost will translate to a powerful performance if you buy a quality kit. Quality will vary between aftermarket upgrades, so be sure you’re buying from reliable sources. As you’ll learn below, that will help with the overall protection of this suspension kit.
Overall Durability
One of the most prevalent cons of air suspension systems is the potential for damage. Don’t worry; this doesn’t mean air suspensions crumble the moment you hit the road. More specifically, the airbags in these systems are prone to air leaks. So, how do you prevent that issue? One easy method is to choose your aftermarket vendors wisely.
Stick with experts who sell durable materials made from high-quality parts. Learning more about the aftermarket parts a vendor sells is as easy as browsing their website, reading customer reviews, and reaching out to ask. Another way to keep your system intact is to be careful when putting the new suspension onto your vehicle. Simply put, treat your components carefully during the installation.
Wrapping Up
You should now have a deeper understanding of what air suspensions can bring to your car, for better or worse. Under the right circumstances, air suspension systems can be a welcome addition to a sports car, from the personalization it provides to the comfortable experience it creates. However, consider your budget, the quality of the parts, and the installation before making a choice.
These factors are critical because not everyone is ready to make that leap. Fear not; coilovers and lowering springs can also affect ride height and performance. So, even if air suspension doesn’t seem like the right fit, you have other aftermarket options. Start browsing today to see the many ways in which you can customize your sports car.
