Heavy trucking and the bus transit segment all use air suspensions. I doubt they can afford to have an unreliable system on their platforms.
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Smart Air suspension confirmed for Model 3
- Thread starter vigge50
- Start date
Heavy trucking and the bus transit segment all use air suspensions. I doubt they can afford to have an unreliable system on their platforms.
MY last MB with air suspension went 165,000 miles with zero problems. I sold it then so I don't know if it lasted longer. From what I read and hear air suspension problems are far less frequent than people imagine. I don't personally know since I've never had a failure, but I suppose they are pretty expensive to repair.
How long does the suspension last on the typical inter-city bus?
Replacing the air shocks with new parts is very expensive. But the most common failure is an air bag which can be done for much less than $500. The air compressor can also be done pretty cheaply with refurb'ed or used parts. I believe the air shocks themselves are $1,900 new from Tesla as a repair part, but since they are likely standard parts, we may be able to source those cheaply as rebuilt or used items.
My Mercedes GL had air suspension problems late in life (9 years old) but it was the compressor, not the air shocks.
My Mercedes GL had air suspension problems late in life (9 years old) but it was the compressor, not the air shocks.
What do you mean it's not going to do you any good? You will be one of the first to get an AWD car (after employees).
Sometimes I get Musk whiplash 
Honestly, I have mixed feelings about this. They'll use this as an excuse to raise the price of AWD (which I want), by adding in something that I don't really want (air suspension; IMHO the difference in how it feels is minimal, and the failure modes much worse). On the other hand... it will give the ability to run higher when there's snow on the ground. And that'll seriously increase their sales in climates like mine (or the real gem in their European portfolio, Norway). The extra height would be good on bad roads, too. I like clearance... but I don't like this particular solution.
But, I'll take what I can get
Honestly, I have mixed feelings about this. They'll use this as an excuse to raise the price of AWD (which I want), by adding in something that I don't really want (air suspension; IMHO the difference in how it feels is minimal, and the failure modes much worse). On the other hand... it will give the ability to run higher when there's snow on the ground. And that'll seriously increase their sales in climates like mine (or the real gem in their European portfolio, Norway). The extra height would be good on bad roads, too. I like clearance... but I don't like this particular solution.
But, I'll take what I can get
Neo_fd3s
Member
I plan to keep this car for at least a decade. AWD and SAS is not something I would want. More things to go wrong not to mention more weight. Coming from light cars into cars that weigh over 3600lbs is going to be an adjustment for me.
Even though I have the air susp on S. I find the risk of failure likely to not be in a remote environment, and I enjoy the qualities of the ride it possess. It will fail. As all things do at some point. Most original owners will have moved on to a new car thus leaving the issue to next owner. I would also say this is a case in many of the brands you mention above. Second owner will get the bill.
It would be interesting to see the shop manual for replacement repair of air suspension system or individual components on the Model S. The procedure could be telling on how it is was created in thought, and how the system would be maintained after an individual component fails.
Since 2009 I have towed on avg. 10-12k a year with an Airstream behind me. Mountain passes and some of the worst back country if you call them roads. I need to be able to limp home not awake to a Suburban that looks like it was in an episode of Lowriders.
Had friends that have experienced failure during group trips. We often travel in caravans with a good old fixit guy that runs cleanup in the back. It happens. Air suspension fails. They can also really mess with or render completely ineffective good towing setups.
To compare the trucking industry with air ride suspensions for a multiple of reasons is not an apples to apples comparison to passenger cars or SUV's. Those types of suspensions in trucking market are more to protect the cartage than provide a stellar ride experience for the operator. I would also hazard to guess that the truck/bus market probably gets more maintenance than the average passenger car/truck(not always though).
The overall quality of the air suspension has improved. Mainly through protection the vital components from long term exposure. What was before a gimmick is now getting better. Still more to go wrong in my opinion.
From Wiki:
Air bag or air strut failure is usually caused by wet rust, due to old age, or moisture within the air system that damages it from the inside. Air ride suspension parts may fail because rubber dries out. Punctures to the air bag may be caused from debris on the road. With custom applications, improper installation may cause the air bags to rub against the vehicle's frame or other surrounding parts, damaging it. The over-extension of an air spring which is not sufficiently constrained by other suspension components, such as a shock absorber, may also lead to the premature failure of an airspring through the tearing of the flexible layers. Failure of an airspring may also result in complete immobilization of the vehicle, since the vehicle will rub against the ground or be too high to move. However, most modern automotive systems have overcome many of these problems.
Air line failure is a failure of the tubing which connects the air bags or struts to the rest of the air system, and is typically DOT-approved nylon air brake line. This usually occurs when the air lines, which must be routed to the air bags through the chassis of the vehicle, rub against a sharp edge of a chassis member or a moving suspension component, causing a hole to form. This mode of failure will typically take some time to occur after the initial installation of the system, as the integrity of a section of air line is compromised to the point of failure due to the rubbing and resultant abrasion of the material. An air-line failure may also occur if a piece of road debris hits an air line and punctures or tears it, although this is unlikely to occur in normal road use. It does occur in harsh off-road conditions but it still not common if correctly installed.
Air fitting failure usually occurs when they are first fitted or very rarely in use. Cheap low quality components tend to be very unreliable. Air fittings are used to connect components such as bags, valves, and solenoids to the airline that transfers the air. They are screwed into the component and for the most part push-in or push-to-fit DOT line is then inserted into the fitting.
Compressor failure is primarily due to leaking air springs or air struts. The compressor will burn out trying to maintain the correct air pressure in a leaking air system. Compressor burnout may also be caused by moisture from within the air system coming into contact with its electronic parts. This is far more likely to occur with low specification compressors with insufficient duty cycle which are often purchased due to low cost. For redundancy in the system two compressors are often a better option.[26]
In Dryer failure the dryer, which functions to remove moisture from the air system, eventually becomes saturated and unable to perform that function. This causes moisture to build up in the system and can result in damaged air springs and/or a burned out compressor.
MountainRatMat
Member
Elon Musk just confirmed on Twitter that smart air suspension is coming to the model 3. For those of you S owners with and without smart air suspension (X owners with it too) is it worth it? I have no special driveway or other circumstances I would need it on a regular basis. Should I spend the cash to get it? Please let me know your thoughts.
KidDoc
Member
Hamilton C
Member
Here in the usually heavy snow district of upstate NY, the ability to increase ground clearance in heavy snow could be the difference between continuing to drive home and be stuck on the road. And there is the issue of monster pot holes in the road every spring.
My model 3 is on reservation along with everyone else. I want the extended range battery, but was on the fence about waiting for AWD, also important in snow. This option may tip me toward waiting longer for delivery to get AWD and now the suspension upgrade.
My model 3 is on reservation along with everyone else. I want the extended range battery, but was on the fence about waiting for AWD, also important in snow. This option may tip me toward waiting longer for delivery to get AWD and now the suspension upgrade.
SageBrush
REJECT Fascism
Do you want AWD? Because it sounds like it's going to be bundled with AWD. And I imagine that for most people that'll matter more than air suspension.
Honestly, you're in Orange County, so you probably rarely if ever need AWD and an adjustable ride height. Unless you make regular trips to Tahoe or something...
Model S M.D.
Ludicrous Radiologist
I have one car with air and one without. I do not have any special driveway or other circumstances that require the additional height.
My husband likes to lower his air when driving, but doesn't really do it all that often. He likes the way it looks mostly. He comments that my coil suspension is nicer on rough roads vs his air. (Note that he has the + suspension on his car, which may be the bigger factor there)
Given the choice, I would get coils. Less issues long term, etc. I havent seen that much of a benefit to air to choose it.
My husband likes to lower his air when driving, but doesn't really do it all that often. He likes the way it looks mostly. He comments that my coil suspension is nicer on rough roads vs his air. (Note that he has the + suspension on his car, which may be the bigger factor there)
Given the choice, I would get coils. Less issues long term, etc. I havent seen that much of a benefit to air to choose it.
chronopc
Active Member
Are there other benefits of air suspension besides being able to adjust the clearance height? Is there any impact on tire wear?
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