luftfjädring

Luftfjädring (Swedish for air suspension) is a type of vehicle suspension that uses compressed air contained in flexible bellows or air springs instead of, or in combination with, conventional steel springs. The system typically includes air springs, an onboard compressor, air reservoirs, valves, height and pressure sensors and a control unit that regulates pressure to adjust ride height and spring characteristics.

Air suspension was developed to improve ride comfort, load-carrying capacity and ride-height control. It is widely used on buses, coaches, heavy trucks and some passenger cars, particularly luxury and performance models, and is also common in aftermarket systems for towing and lowered-stance vehicles. Modern implementations often integrate adaptive damping and electronic control for semi-active or fully active suspension behavior.

Benefits of luftfjädring include improved passenger comfort, automatic load-leveling, the ability to vary ride height for ground clearance or aerodynamics, and tunable spring rates. Drawbacks include higher initial cost, greater system complexity and maintenance needs; potential failure modes include air leaks, compressor wear and deterioration of rubber components.

Routine maintenance focuses on inspecting air springs and fittings for leaks, ensuring the compressor and valves function correctly, and replacing aging rubber parts. Properly maintained, air suspension offers versatile performance advantages for vehicles with varying load and comfort requirements.