The summer holiday season is approaching, and many people are preparing for road trips. This often means their vehicles are used differently than in everyday life: carrying heavier loads, towing, and covering more kilometers. These additional demands place extra strain on the car’s engine, drivetrain, and suspension. One important vehicle component that is often overlooked in a summer holiday car check, is the air suspension system.
Vehicle owners seek a pleasant, trouble-free journey and a relaxing holiday without worrying about breakdowns or accidents. To ensure this, many workshops offer an attractive “Summer Holiday Car Check” service. This service typically checks the car’s brake system, fluids, tires, wiper blades, and battery condition. However, many overlook one important component: the air suspension system.
Checking the suspension is crucial. During summer holiday trips, vehicles often carry heavier loads and travel longer distances than usual. This puts additional strain on the suspension system’s road handling and ride comfort. Therefore, the system must function flawlessly. Vehicles equipped with air suspension automatically level the car under all circumstances, including heavy loads and towing. Let’s take a closer look at how this works:
Functioning of the Air Suspension System
Air suspension systems use a compressor to inflate rubber air springs, which may be separate from the shock absorber or combined with the damper as an air suspension strut. Height sensors signal the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) when the vehicle is not at the predetermined height. The compressor then pumps air into the air springs until the vehicle reaches the proper height. The system adjusts both after loading while stationary and continuously while driving, cornering, and responding to road conditions.
Like all rubber components, air springs and struts experience wear and tear. Typically, the rubber will dry rot, and small cracks can form where the air bladder folds upon itself. On average, you need to replace an air suspension part every six to ten years. Factors such as mileage, climate, driving conditions, and off-road usage also influence the replacement rate.
Diagnosis of a Leaking Air Spring
Diagnosing a leaking air spring is simple. If the car is parked overnight and one corner sits lower than normal in the morning, the system likely has a leak. Initially, a small leak may go unnoticed by the driver as the compressor maintains adequate pressure. However, as the leak worsens, the compressor will overheat or burn out while trying to reach the required pressure and ride height. The extra load of holiday luggage or the demands of winding mountain roads add more stress, making it crucial to check the system before starting the journey.
When performing a “Summer Holiday Car Check,” spray the air suspension system with a water and soap solution to detect leaks before your customer gets stranded.
This information is brought to you by Arnott – Air Suspension Products. With over 30 years of experience in engineering, designing, and manufacturing high-quality air suspension components for the aftermarket, Arnott is the technical expert in air suspension systems. Our products are crafted with high-quality OE components, ensuring exact form, fit, and function. Each product undergoes extensive testing in our American and European facilities and is custom-tuned to suit specific vehicle makes and models before production.
Explore Arnott’s complete suspension offerings here!