What is the service life of air suspension?
2 Answers
The service life of air suspension is approximately 5 years. The principle of air suspension is: using an air compressor to form compressed air, and adjusting the ground clearance of the vehicle through the compressed air. Types of vehicle suspension include: double wishbone, single wishbone, trailing arm, single oblique arm, and multi-link. Their function is to transmit forces and torques between the wheels and the frame, cushion the impact from uneven road surfaces to the frame or body, dampen the resulting vibrations, and ensure smooth driving of the vehicle. Methods to determine damage to vehicle suspension include: 1. The steering wheel becomes heavy and vibrates; 2. The shock absorber leaks oil, makes abnormal noises, or fails; 3. The vehicle pulls to one side; 4. When encountering bumpy roads, the vehicle vibrates up and down, and the body twists; 5. Obvious braking nod; 6. Abnormal noises from the body while driving.
I've been driving a car with air suspension for almost ten years, from initially finding it comfortable to now experiencing constant minor issues. It feels like the lifespan of this thing is really unpredictable. When I used to drive mostly on city roads, the suspension could last 80,000 kilometers without any problems. But later, after going on road trips through mountainous areas, the airbags started leaking due to the constant bumps, costing over 2,000 yuan to repair. My neighbor Lao Wang's car broke down after just three years, mainly because he was hauling heavy loads daily and never cleaned it. Manufacturers generally claim a lifespan of five to ten years or 80,000 to 150,000 kilometers, but I believe proper maintenance can extend its life—like regularly checking the air pressure and avoiding potholes. Climate also has a big impact; I once had mine crack in the northern winter, so parking in a garage is better. Overall, if used well, it can last ten years without issues, but neglect can cut that down to just five.
