Air suspension technology is increasingly being developed and widely used by car enthusiasts. Especially, of course, by form connoisseurs, because air suspension is arguably the most effective spice in terms of car handsome recipes. Have you ever seen beautiful photos, videos or flat car wallpapers? Most likely it was bagged, aka using Airsus. Not only that, this type of suspension is arguably the right move for the balance between form and function. A flat car, cool yes, comfortable yes, using smoothly no gasruk-gasruk.
The amount of ground clearance, aka the flatness of the car, does visually really affect the beauty of the car. The closer it is to the ground, the more it runs aground, the cooler it is like a sports car! Not only that, flatness also has various positive effects on car performance.
Previously we had about coilover and also about flat car modifications . So of course it’s not complete if we haven’t discussed the air suspension.
I’m sure about what air suspension is, of course many people already know. But how does it work, its components, its advantages? Which air suspension or coilover is better?
Let’s just start. Prepare the coffee so that it reads deliciously.
What is Air Suspension?
Air suspension is a type of vehicle suspension that uses air pumped into the air bag. Usually in car suspensions we find springs and shock breakers. Well, this spring is replaced by an air pocket that can expand and deflate depending on needs.
That is why, extraordinary people call it bags or air bags. Cars with air suspension are often called bagged. Here people more often use the abbreviation, namely airsus. We can also call it by the acronym, Air Suspension System or ASS haha.
Even though it looks like cutting edge and up-to-date technology, the idea and implementation of the initial air suspension was actually a long time ago. In 1920, the French named George Messier first applied this technology in his car factory, Messier.
Currently the air suspension is mostly intended for luxury luxury cars. Call it like Rolls-Royce, Range Rover, Lexus, Porsche, and others. For aftermarket products, Airsus modifications are currently continuing to develop and are increasingly being used by car enthusiasts.
How Does Air Suspension Work?
To understand how airsus works, let’s take a look at some of its components.
- Air pockets on each tire wheel. Usually this is attached to or a single unit with the shock breaker. Same is the case with coilover, but instead of a spring, an air bag is used.
- Air compressor.
- Air storage tank. Usually placed in the trunk or behind the back seat.
- Airway. It can be a hose or a pipe that delivers air from the tank to the air bag.
- Wiring harness / electrical wiring.
- ECU / ECAS. Management system for airsus which is sometimes connected to the car’s ECU so that the car’s ECU can command Airsus to work.
- Check valve / valve block. Serves to ensure that piped air and air pockets do not return to the tank.
- Water trap. Air contains water. Water can adversely affect the airsus system. The water trap functions to filter water from the air.
- Height sensor. Car height sensor from the ground.
If we look at the components above, we must have illustrated how they work. It’s not that complicated. The air compressor compresses air which is then stored in the air storage tank. The air is then channeled to each air bag attached to each tire.
How much air is in the air bag will affect the height and the low of the car. Some unused air is thrown out or some is returned to the storage tank. Depending on the type of airsus.
How much air is in the air bag, it is also determined by the type of airsus. Some are based on air pressure, some are based on the height of the car.
Air Suspension Type
As mentioned above, there are several types or types of air suspension.
Pressure based systems use pressure to determine how much air is in the air bag. We can determine how many psi of air for each air bag which of course affects how high and how low our car is.
The weakness of pressure based is when the load or car load increases. For example, we carry a lot of goods or passengers. We have to re-determine how much air pressure is back. Don’t let the car run aground too much.
Height based system uses the car’s height to the ground as the basis for determining the amount of air in the bag. This type uses a height sensor that will detect how high the car is now and how much we want. If it is not enough, then Airsus will automatically work to increase it. Vice versa, if the height is above the number that we have determined, Airsus will work to lower it.
Unlike the pressure based, on the height based we don’t have to bother and worry when carrying lots of goods or passengers. Height sensor will detect and airsus will work by itself. The same thing happens when there are extreme temperature changes that affect the density of air. If the car is too high or too low, the height sensor will correct it.
Another type is how to treat unused air from the air bag. If it is thrown outside, it is called an open air system. When returned to the tank, it is called a closed air system.
Advantages
As usual with all things, air suspension certainly has its plus and minus side. By considering these two sides, we can decide and convince whether our car should install Airsus or not. Here are some of them.
1. Cool
Of course there is no denying that flat cars are cool. The flat the more sporty and handsome. Airsus can flat the car until it is completely aground. If we look at a cinematic photo or video of a flat car parked beautifully, chances are the car is bagged, aka using AirSus. The display with Airsus is currently the most popular handsome car display.
2. Show Off
Want to attract people’s attention? Want to look like cool kids? Air suspension is the answer. Apart from this modification, making a cool car is also very well suited to attract people’s attention. The sound of psshhhh then the car descends tightly to the ground with its beauty guaranteed to amaze people! Not yet the airsus tank that is stored in the trunk or rear seat as eye candy that adds to the luxury of the car.
At most, we use Coilover suspension at a price of tens of millions … People won’t see it.
3. Form with function The
low level of Airsus will not sacrifice driving comfort. Want to go strolling? Car raise and drive comfortably. Is there a speed bump as big as a picture? Just push the button. Want to lie down again to be handsome, just press the button.
4.
Airsus extreme modification allows the car to be modified drastically. No wheel gap or even slammed, aka super flat! Yes, a car without Airsus is certainly possible. But, just get ready to gasruk here and there.
5. Comfort
Air suspension that uses air is better able to absorb vibrations from the road. Even though some coilover brands have also provided the comfort type, the air suspension comfort is certainly smoother and superior than the spring suspension.
Deficiency
1. Maintenance
The more moving parts, the more troublesome maintenance can be and of course costs money.
2. Reliability
Still in line with the above. The more moving parts, the greater the risk of damage. In addition, air suspensions are known to be not as tough as spring suspensions, especially for heavy use, such as extreme maneuvers or poor roads. That’s why most racing / performance cars still use coilovers. Although, currently air suspension technology is growing, including in its durability. Of course, back to the brand and price, the cheap Airsus usually matches its reliability.
3. Price The
price of air suspension is still very expensive. For well-known brands that are known for their reputation and durability, such as Air Lift, D2, UAS, or Accuair, the price ranges from 40-80 million! This has not been added to the installation and maintenance / service costs. For this price we can get Coilover with plus wheels and even the same tires. Over time, like technology, the price of airsus can be more affordable. Currently Air Lift, for example, has issued a type 3S which is an entry level for around 10 million.
4. Tuning and Customization
In coilover we are familiar with the damping, rebound and spring rate settings. This setting will greatly affect the taste of our car. How the car drives, turns or maneuvers on the road. This setting is very much used, especially for people who are happy with performance or professional racing events .
5. Weight
Some people claim that the airsus device adds weight to the car which of course affects the car’s performance and fuel economy.
Thus the review this time.
Still confused about choosing Airsus or Coilover? Actually everything depends on the preferences of each.
For those who like to drive elegantly, comfortably plus a cool appearance, of course the choice is clear air suspension. For those who like to drive with passion , need a stiff suspension to run, like the tuning of performance settings, the choice is Coilover.