Height adjustable suspension
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Height adjustable suspension is a feature of certain automobile suspension (vehicle) systems that allow the motorist to vary the ride height or ground clearance. Such a feature requires fairly sophisticated engineering and was originally banned in the US in 1974.
Height adjustment is most often achieved by air or oil compression used for the "springs" of the vehicle - when the pressure is varied - the vehicle body rises or lowers.
Purposes include improved aerodynamics at higher speed and offroad capability.
Vehicles with this feature include the Citroën CX and the Range Rover. Modern active suspension layouts also have this feature.
Certain applications also appear on custom lowrider vehicles.
[edit] User control
Traditional height adjustable suspension is controlled by the driver manually. Certain modern layouts allow electronics alone to make this decision without the driver's control, especially if the car loweres at high speed.
[edit] History
The first instance of suspension with this feature was in 1954 with hydropneumatic suspension. Manufacturers have also tried air suspension to achieve this goal.
