Core Specifications for Daily Use (Avoid Mechanical Damage)
1. Load Control: Strictly Follow the Rated Load Threshold
The rubber bladder and cord layer of the air spring have a clear upper load limit. Overloading will cause the bladder to be over - stretched/compressed, leading to fatigue fracture of the cord, accelerated rubber aging, and at the same time increasing the load of the air pump motor and the wear of the shock absorber damping valve.
- Operation Standard: For family cars, the total load should be controlled not to exceed 10% of the vehicle's rated load; for modified low - stance vehicles, it is necessary to avoid placing non - essential heavy objects weighing more than 50kg in the trunk for a long time to ensure that the suspension system is in a state of balanced force.
2. Road Condition Adaptation: Hierarchical Control of Driving Speed
For different road conditions, it is necessary to adjust the driving speed to reduce the instantaneous load of road impact on suspension components:
- Smooth Paved Roads: Drive normally (≤60km/h, avoid sudden shift of vehicle center of gravity caused by rapid acceleration/braking);
- Gravel/Potholed Roads: Reduce the speed to below 30km/h, avoid sharp protrusions by predicting the route, and prevent the shock absorber piston rod from being deformed by lateral impact;
- Speed Bumps/Curbs: Pass diagonally (roll over with one wheel at a time), control the speed at 10 - 15km/h, and avoid vertical impact on the connection between the bladder and the shock absorber.
3. Height Adjustment: Optimize Operation Frequency and Logic
The height adjustment of the air suspension relies on the air pump for inflation/deflation. Frequent height switching will cause the air pump motor to be continuously at high temperature (exceeding 80℃ will easily trigger overheating protection, which will shorten the motor life in the long run), and at the same time increase the wear risk of the seals at the pipeline joints.
- Operation Standard: Preset 2 - 3 common heights according to the usage scenario (such as "daily commuting height" and "low - stance display height"), and adjust the height no more than 3 times in a single driving cycle; after adjustment, it is necessary to stand still for 30 seconds and wait for the system pressure to stabilize before driving.
4. Abnormal Early Warning: Establish a Real - time Monitoring Mechanism
It is necessary to pay real - time attention to the operation state of the suspension system. When the following abnormalities occur, it is necessary to stop using it immediately and check to avoid the expansion of faults:
- Vehicle Attitude: The height deviation on one side exceeds 10mm (may be a fault of the air pump pressure divider valve or airbag leakage);
- Operation Sound: A "hissing" air leakage sound or a "thumping" abnormal sound of the shock absorber occurs during driving (may be seal damage or damping oil leakage);
- System Signal: The suspension fault light on the instrument panel is on (it is necessary to read the fault code through a dedicated diagnostic instrument to locate the problem of the sensor or control unit).
Professional Maintenance Implementation Standards (Ensure System Performance)
1. Regular Inspection: Conduct Basic Inspection Monthly
A full - dimensional inspection of the suspension system is required every month, focusing on the following components:
- Air Spring: Visually inspect whether there are cracks on the surface of the bladder (especially at the upper and lower joints) and whether the rubber is aged and hardened (detect with a Shore durometer, and replace if the hardness exceeds 70HA);
- Pipes and Joints: Apply soapy water to the joints and observe whether bubbles are generated (to detect air tightness), and at the same time check whether the pipes are bent or worn;
- Air Pump and Filter: Remove the air pump intake filter and check whether there is dust blockage (blockage will reduce the air intake efficiency of the air pump and increase energy consumption);
- Vehicle Height: Measure the height of the four - wheel fender from the ground with a laser range finder, and if the deviation exceeds 5mm, it is necessary to calibrate through the control unit.
2. Air Pressure Management: Precisely Control Working Pressure
The working pressure of the air spring must strictly follow the provisions of the product manual (usually 1/3 of the bladder burst pressure, and refer to the technical parameter table for differences in different vehicle configurations). Abnormal air pressure will directly affect the system life:
- Excessive Air Pressure: The bladder bears too much pressure, which is easy to cause rubber fatigue and rupture;
- Insufficient Air Pressure: The air pump needs to replenish air frequently, and at the same time, the shock absorber bears additional load, accelerating the wear of the damping valve.
- Operation Standard: Measure with a high - precision tire pressure gauge with an accuracy of 0.01bar every month. After height adjustment, the air pressure needs to be recalibrated to ensure that the pressure difference of the four airbags does not exceed 0.2bar.
3. Environmental Protection: Avoid External Corrosion Impact
It is necessary to take protective measures according to different usage environments to reduce the damage of external factors to components:
- Cleaning Protection: When washing the car, rinse the suspension components with a low - pressure water gun (pressure ≤3bar), avoid high - pressure direct injection on the airbag rubber parts; after washing, wipe the pipe joints with a neutral cleaner to prevent the residual car wash liquid from corroding the metal;
- Parking Environment: For long - term parking (more than 1 week), choose a cool and dry place (avoid high - temperature exposure to accelerate rubber aging), and at the same time adjust the vehicle to the "parking height" (5mm higher than the daily height to reduce the long - term compression deformation of the airbag);
- Special Climate: In low - temperature areas in winter (below - 10℃), it is necessary to start the vehicle once a week and let the air pump run for 5 minutes (to prevent the water in the pipeline from freezing and blocking).
4. In - depth Maintenance: Conduct Professional Maintenance According to Annual/Mileage
In - depth maintenance must be carried out according to a fixed cycle to restore system performance. The specific cycle and items are as follows:
- Annual Maintenance: Conduct system air tightness testing (use a dedicated pressure device to fill the system with 0.8MPa compressed air, stand still for 24 hours, and if the pressure drop exceeds 5%, it is necessary to check the air leakage point);
- Every 2 Years/30,000km: Replace the shock absorber damping oil (use a dedicated damping oil that meets the API SN level to prevent the reduction of shock absorption effect caused by oil aging), and at the same time check whether there are scratches on the shock absorber piston rod;
- Every 1 Year: Replace the air pump intake filter (use the original filter to ensure that the filtration accuracy meets the air intake requirements of the air pump and avoid impurities entering the motor).
5. Accessory Adaptation: Strictly Use Original Parts
When replacing suspension system components, MAXLOAD original parts must be used. Non - original parts may have the following problems:
- Size Deviation: The size of the upper and lower joints of the airbag does not match, resulting in poor sealing after installation and easy air leakage;
- Material Difference: The material strength of the non - original shock absorber damping valve is insufficient, which is easy to wear and cause abnormal sound;
- System Compatibility: Non - original sensors are incompatible with the control unit, which will cause the system to report false faults.
At the same time, after replacement, it is necessary to carry out system matching and calibration through dedicated equipment to ensure that the components are synchronized with the vehicle data.
