Full-Air Suspension Systems

Driverite have developed a range of Full-Air Suspension Systems for a wide range of light commercial vehicle applications. Working closely with the OEM’s requests and guidelines, Driverite’s suspension systems offer a smooth comfortable ride, are easy to install, user friendly and require little or no maintenance.

For an aftermarket (after OEM factory) installation the original leaf or coil spring suspension is removed and replaced with a new suspension arm (in the case of a leaf application), air springs, mounting brackets and electronic height control system called IntelliRide.

A full lowering facility is also achievable with Firestone‘s IntelliRide ECAS (Electronic Controlled Air Suspension). Currently fitted to a wide range of light commercial vehicles, ambulances, sports utility vehicles and light trucks, Firestone’s IntelliRide controls and maintains the vehicles optimum ride height as road and vehicle characteristics change. The system is currently available in 2 - corner (rear axle) and 4 - corner (front and rear axles) options.

Key Features and Benefits

Leading Engineering & Development Resources

One or multiple corner air suspension systems are engineered towards customer’s specific needs. In-house software programming and electrical engineering by Firestone. Electronic controls communicate via CAN vehicle network protocols for greater safety and capabilities. Air spring and controls design completed through FEA, modeling, subjective and objective testing with the OEM requirements.

Design for Manufacturing and Service

Bracket and component modules designed for easy installation, reduced part count and cost. PC diagnostic and calibration tool allows for quick OEM system calibration and easy service diagnosis. Global engineering, manufacturing and sales offices to service the local needs of the International customer base.

Safety and Durability

Monitoring system every 10 milliseconds, reducing air consumption and increases compressor life. Automatic load leveling at each height with precision kneeling and height adjustment. Ability to sense vehicle’s load and signals, improving safety and knowledge of vehicle status.

Full Air Suspension Benefits:

• Greatly improves vehicle suspension comfort
• Improved road handling
• Lowering facility for easy loading / unloading of passengers and goods
• Constant ride height
• Kneeling facility for car park entries
• Multiple height settings - Standard, Off-Road,Motorway, Lowered, Sport, Touring, etc.

Intelliride Features:

• Continuously monitored system with dry air. Dramatically reduces air consumption and keeps the valves from freezing.
• System adjusts height with retained air pressure, allowing for faster response.
• Detects and stops height change when the vehicle hits an overhead or underbody obstruction, preventing damage to vehicle and obstruction.
• Recognises, notifies driver and compensates with auxiliary driving modes if components are damaged preventing further damage or stranding.
• Brackets and component modules designed for easy instillation, reduced parts count and cost.
• PC diagnostic and calibration tool allows for quick and easy service diagnosis.
• IntelliRide controls read and respond to various signals to insure that the vehicle operates in the safest mode, i.e. reading a speed, brake, or door signal and automatically returning the vehicle to optimum, factory ride height.

Suitable Applications:

• Ambulances
• Minibuses
• Fire Brigades
• Disabled Transport
• Specialist Vehicles
• Breakdown Vehicles
• Motor Caravans
• Transportation of Delicate Goods

Air Springs:

Air springs are developed by Firestone to suit each individual application so that optimum suspension ride and comfort can be achieved. The highly successful Tapered Sleeve air spring range has provided the ability to fine tune the ride performance using varying piston contours. Suspension frequencies below 0.9 Hertz can be achieved thus enabling a very soft progressive ride and suspension comfort. This is of particular benefit to ambulances, taxis, minibus and wheelchair transportation. The heavier duty pistons offer load support and stability without compromising on the ride. Tow-trucks, goods transportation and mobile workshops are but a few of the customers benefiting from these systems.