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View Full Version : Air Suepension - Turn off while car is being shipped?


unixadm
06-06-2004, 07:19 PM
Guys,

My '03 Marauder will be picked up this week and I need to know if the air suspension should be turned off prior to it being loaded on the car transport for it's long journey out to California? I did a search and didn't come up with anything concrete. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Sonic
06-06-2004, 07:25 PM
I would turn it off . Better safe then sorry.
martyo
06-06-2004, 07:28 PM
I would turn it off . Better safe then sorry.

Why???

My car has seen some time on transports and there is simply no need or rationale for shutting the air suspension off.
Sonic
06-06-2004, 08:15 PM
I wouldn't think the suspension would try to adjust while on the transport, but turning it off doesn't hurt either.
martyo
06-06-2004, 08:20 PM
I wouldn't think the suspension would try to adjust while on the transport, but turning it off doesn't hurt either.

The key will be off while the car is transported, so it will not self level. Correct?
Sonic
06-06-2004, 08:34 PM
The key will be off while the car is transported, so it will not self level. Correct?
When I worked for L/M I found out that even if the key was off ,with the car in a postion inwhich it was uneven, the system would deflate the other airbag or bags depending on the system to keep the car level . For the same reason it is suggested to turn system off when changing a flat.

Rather than saying "better safe than sorry" I should have said, it shouldn't make a differance, but it wont hurt turning it off.

just my 2cents
stingrey
06-07-2004, 05:47 AM
the system remains energized for approx 40 min,if your going to elevate the car off the ground for whatever reason turn the system off.
RF Overlord
06-07-2004, 06:00 AM
Here's another twist to this issue...on new-car carriers, once the vehicle is in position they install chains/straps to pull the car down tight...if the air suspension were left turned on, wouldn't it try to push the car back up, straining against those chains?

So I guess whether to turn the switch off would depend on whether the transporter secures the car down to prevent it from bouncing...
martyo
06-07-2004, 06:06 AM
Here's another twist to this issue...on new-car carriers, once the vehicle is in position they install chains/straps to pull the car down tight...if the air suspension were left turned on, wouldn't it try to push the car back up, straining against those chains?

So I guess whether to turn the switch off would depend on whether the transporter secures the car down to prevent it from bouncing...

Cars are chained down even in the enclosed carriers. If the system is shut down and the air bags deflate, teh car will bounce....
CRUZTAKER
06-07-2004, 06:11 AM
All I can offer is, I don't turn mine off when the ar is on the dyno, and I have never heard the system attempt to level once the car was strapped down....mmmm, I never considered this? Maybe on the dyno I should turn it off. Otherwise I see no reason to shut it off if the cars ignition is off, as the car will never attempt to make a 'lift' adjustment.
deerejoe
06-07-2004, 11:09 AM
Last week the people transporting my Marauder to the dealer for cooling fan repair were insistant upon the system being turned OFF...I (stupidly) was unaware of the air suspension switch located in the trunk!!
Guess I missed that in the owners manual.

With the way they chained the chassis at 4 points and seized the 4 wheels in nylon harnesses, it appears to make sense(??)

But what do I know??
Doesn't the owners manual cover this situation??
Black 04
06-07-2004, 11:17 AM
I would turn it off...When I jacked the front of my car up to change the oil I forgot to turn off the air suspension and the bags started to inflate.
nslatin
06-07-2004, 11:33 AM
Owners manual says to turn it off before towing, etc.
jgc61sr2002
06-07-2004, 07:20 PM
Owners manual says to turn it off before towing, etc.


That's the answer. :cool:
CRUZTAKER
06-07-2004, 07:57 PM
It's a great answer...but IT'S NOT BEING TOWED. :lol:
martyo
06-07-2004, 08:06 PM
It's a great answer...but IT'S NOT BEING TOWED. :lol:

That's my pernt!

Besides me, who hs treated their car to several rides on an enclosed trailer? I speak from the voice of experience.....but no one listens.....
unixadm
06-07-2004, 08:31 PM
I'm leaning towards just leaving the air suspension on. If the car sags while in transit because the air bags deflate, then it could cause the straps to loosen up.

The last place to check is with the dealer. How do these cars arrive on the lot when brand new? With the air suspension on or off when coming off the truck?

I do appreciate everyones thoughts on this!
MENINBLK
06-07-2004, 08:44 PM
I don't know about the rest of you, but when my ignition is turned off, the Air Suspension is DISABLED.
I've loaded my trunk plenty of times and NOTHING HAPPENS unless the ignition is TURNED ON.
I will even load my trunk, unload it, and reload it while you guys sit and watch and we can time it and nothing will happen at all.
I've even went to my dealership and sat on the rear bumper of a 2004 Grand Marquis, WITH MY SALESPERSON, for 10 minutes and NOTHING happened.
Now if someone turns on the ignition, then we get the lift IMMEDIATELY.
CRUZTAKER
06-08-2004, 06:20 AM
^^^Ditto, ditto, ditto,........ditto damnit!^^^:P

I refuse to argue with those folks that insist the air ride adjusts without the key in the ignition. Granted, it will blow off steam immediately after turning off the car to adjust to it's final resting spot, but after that, it's done....done...DONE we tell you....DONE!!!!
:baaa: :lol: :censor: :bs: :banned: :sleepy: