air suspension

[RF Overlord]

Group:

LincMercLover has raised a good point...

In another thread, I mentioned that I keep the air suspension turned off, as we don't carry anything in the trunk or tow with it...LML thought he heard that the car shouldn't be driven with the AS deactivated, but I can't find anything in the owner's manual that specifically advises against it...the manual just says to make sure it's turned off if you put the car on a lift or otherwise try to raise the back end...(jacking, etc)

I thought the car sat at a particular ride height all by itself, and that the air suspension was only needed if you had a full house in the cabin, or were carrying extra weight in the truck, towing a boat, etc. I haven't noticed my car riding or handling any differently with it off, and it's been at least a month...but OTOH, I don't want to damage the system, either...

What are your thoughts, gentlemen?

[Macon Marauder]

I say leave it on. My compressor doesn't run everyday to "top off", but it does run regularly. I've noticed that with other cars, like my Dad's CV, a droop in the tail is not uncommon after sitting for several days.

Our MMs have different (stiffer?) shocks in the rear, so maybe it's not as noticeable on your MM. But I bet the rear just gradually dropped a bit and stayed there.

[DavidB]

There aren't any mechanical springs in the rear of the MM, air pressure inside the bladders is all that's holding up the rear.

As long as the system is air-tight (ie, brand-new), it'll stay up. But if there's a leak and the pump's not on, your car will end up looking like all those ground-dragging Fox-body Continentals. :)

TTYL
David

[schuvwj]

I had air suspension on two Lincoln Town cars and the dealer said to keep it on except when you are going to lift the car.

[looking97233]

Mine will run every day when I first start it up. If you are curious if the suspension bleeds down, you could try this RF: When you bed her down for the evening measure the trie to quarter pannel distance then again in the morning. Or better yet take pictures. After mine has been sitting all night, I can see the difference in the height.

[mtnh]

My 1996 Grand Marquis would run the compressor every hour, making adjustments in height as needed on a computer-controlled routine. Maybe the MM does not have this routine programmed into it, as I have never heard the compressor run in the garage with the engine off -- or, the system is so well-engineered that it simply does not bleed down over measurable periods of time in the days to weeks range. As for sensitivty, I would exit the car, shut the doors, hear the valve open to adjust the vehicle height to standby height. Oops, I left a 6-pack of beer or something similar in weight, so I open the door, pull out the left-behind item, then close the door and hear a fractional second's worth of air vented to set the proper standby height. That always amazed me. I don't use the MM enough to notice if it does the same thing. (wife's daily driver)

Mike

[jefferson-mo]

I just asked the susp(suspension not suspect) guys in the shop(I work at the dealer) and they say that there's no point in switching it off but you may trigger the air suspension light after a while.

I leave mine on 'cause I need it to hold up my fat:censor:

[RF Overlord]

jefferson:

Appreciate the dealer info...I guess there's no point in turning it off, other than not having to listen to the compressor run every time I start the car...but then I won't have to look at the "air susp" light on the dashboard anymore, either...and my :censor: could probably use the extra support, too!

looking:

yeah, I'll try that and see if I've settled...maybe it was real slow and I haven't noticed...

everyone else:

thanks for the input...I just wanted to be sure I wasn't hurting anything by leaving it off...

[LincMercLover]

The system SHOULD readjust itself after every exit/entrance into the vehicle, so yes the pump is constantly running in a since. I'll bet if you turned it back on after it's sat for a really LONG time, she'll be a little longer than usual with pumping up. Our air springs are new, but nothing regaurding air is "air tight." Changes in temperature, humidity, etc. will affect an air bag that once held, oh lets say 65lbs, as the temperature decreases over night. Baisically, air expands and contract with temperature changes, but you all knew that, right...?:up:

[RCSignals]

Yes it should be left on. It's not the same as the old overload airshocks.

[gonzo50]

According to the Marauder / Owner's Guide, it states the air suspension system is designed to improve ride, handling and general vehicle performance during; Certain road conditions, Steering maneuvers, Braking and Accelerations. Should be noted that it doesn't say anything about using it only with payload. Just a reminder. ;)

[RF Overlord]

gonzo:

Yeah, I read that, too...

Now I'm not sure WHY I turned it off...I guess I'll turn it back on again tonight when I get home and see what happens over the weekend...

Thanks again to everyone who responded... :rock: