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The Lincoln Town Car is one of the relatively few vehicles that utilize an air suspension system.

Air suspension is a type of vehicle suspension powered by an engine driven or electric air pump or compressor. This pump pressurizes the air, using compressed air as a spring. Air suspension replaces conventional steel springs. If the engine is left off for an extended period, the car will settle to the ground. The purpose of air suspension is to provide a smooth ride quality and in some cases self-leveling.

While not using high pressure mineral oil, the system aims to achieve a result similar to the hydropneumatic suspension arrangement introduced in 1954.

Vehicles that use air suspension include models from Maybach, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover/Range Rover, Audi, Volkswagen, and Lincoln, among others.

The air suspension designs from Land Rover, and some Audi and VW models, feature height adjustable suspension controlled by the driver, suitable for clearing rough terrain. The Lincoln Continental also feature an air suspension system in which the driver could chose how sporty or comfortable he or she wanted the suspension to feel. The suspension settings in the Lincoln Continental were also linked to the memory seat system, meaning that the car would automatically adjust the suspension to the driver.

In addition to passenger cars, air suspension is broadly used on semi trailers.

Over the last decade or so air suspension has become extremely popular in the custom automobile culture, including lowrider vehicles. It is used in these applications to provide adjustable suspension that will allow vehicles to sit extremely low and adjust up to maneuver over obstacles and inconsistencies in the roadways. These systems generally run off of electric compressors, engine driven compressors or high-pressured gas bottles (such as nitrogen) and are completely adjustable by the driver.

The installation and configuration of these systems varies for different makes and models but the underlying principle remains the same.

• AirRideTalk.com (Air Ride Enthusiast Site)

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