What Are Adaptive Dampers in Your Car?

These high-performance shock absorbers are designed to offer better comfort and body control.

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Benjamin Hunting   |  

Oct 30,   |  

3 min read

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Chevrolet

When browsing the tech specs of a new vehicle, you might have come across the term adaptive dampers. Typically, this feature commands a premium price. You'll find adaptive dampers mainly on high-performance or luxury automobiles. Here's a look at how this suspension component works and the benefits it brings to driving pleasure.

Dampers Are An Important Part of Your Suspension

Dampers is another term for shock absorbers, a key component in any vehicle's suspension setup. As the name suggests, this part "dampens" the motion of a car as it moves down the road.

When everything works like it should, this prevents your car from bouncing uncontrollably on its springs when it encounters bumps or potholes by absorbing the energy of that movement. Dampers perform a similar function when cornering or accelerating, helping a vehicle's tires maintain contact with the road below.

Dampers rely on the movement of hydraulic fluid through the shock body to achieve these levels of control. Using a series of valves, the fluid restrains the action of a piston directly linked to the chassis, absorbing the energy of its motion.

BMW

Adaptive Dampers Are Designed to Provide Comfort and Control

Standard shock absorbers feature a limited level of response to road conditions. Adaptive dampers, on the other hand, can vary their response to suspension motion to provide a broader range of performance. Although the methods can differ from manufacturer to manufacturer, most of these adaptive damper systems allow the driver to specify the level of rebound and compression offered by each damper, which alters the level of control they provide over body movement.

Some adaptive dampers function automatically, adjusting suspension response in real time based on sensor data gathered while driving to respond most effectively to the demands on the vehicle. Some rely on magnetically charged hydraulic fluid that can change its resistance to movement by introducing an electric current, allowing for ultra-rapid changes in the damper's performance profile.

Cadillac

The Benefits of Adaptive Dampers

The more tightly body motion is controlled, the less body roll a vehicle experiences when cornering at a high rate of speed. Unfortunately, the more restrictive a shock is, the less comfortable the ride can feel. High-performance shocks can often make a car or truck drive roughly and stiffly during regular commuting.

Adaptive dampers allow engineers to balance these two poles by creating shock absorbers that are soft and supple in their response when driving at regular speeds or over rougher roads but stiffer and more controlling when it's time to drive more aggressively.

This split personality emerges on vehicles such as the BMW M3 and the Chevrolet Corvette that combine performance with luxury, and on full-size trucks and SUVs &#; such as the Cadillac Escalade &#; that marry comfort with exceptional towing and hauling capability.

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This site is for educational purposes only. The third parties listed are not affiliated with Capital One and are solely responsible for their opinions, products and services. Capital One does not provide, endorse or guarantee any third-party product, service, information or recommendation listed above. The information presented in this article is believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but is subject to change. The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of the product. The material provided on this site is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice or to indicate the availability or suitability of any Capital One product or service to your unique circumstances. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, you may wish to consult a qualified professional.

This site is for educational purposes only. The third parties listed are not affiliated with Capital One and are solely responsible for their opinions, products and services. Capital One does not provide, endorse or guarantee any third-party product, service, information or recommendation listed above. The information presented in this article is believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but is subject to change. The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of the product. The material provided on this site is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice or to indicate the availability or suitability of any Capital One product or service to your unique circumstances. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, you may wish to consult a qualified professional.

Benjamin Hunting

Benjamin Hunting is a writer and podcast host who contributes to a number of newspapers, automotive magazines, and online publications. More than a decade into his career, he enjoys keeping the shiny side up during track days and always has one too many classic vehicle projects partially disassembled in his garage at any given time. Remember, if it's not leaking, it's probably empty.

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What Is an Adaptive Suspension?

How a car rides and corners is no longer limited to a fixed setting, thanks to electronic controls.

Jordan Golson   |  

Jun 26,   |  

3 min read

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Ford

Adaptive suspension is a useful feature offered on many new vehicles. These systems allow drivers to adjust their suspension for specific conditions, and often include settings like Eco, Comfort, and Sport. So simply pushing a button can greatly impact how the vehicle performs.

Availability of these systems was once reserved for luxury brands. But today, they've become increasingly available on more affordable models. While exactly what&#;s included within the "adaptive" definition varies among brands, the adjustability typically covers traits like how well the car soaks up bumps, and how athletically it corners.

Cadillac

What Are the Benefits of an Adaptive Suspension?

In short, an adaptive suspension eliminates the inevitable compromises of a one-size-fits-all setup. This allows carmakers to fine tune a vehicle&#;s ride in ways once unimaginable. Now, a driver can tailor the firmness of the suspension as needed, perhaps softening the ride for passenger comfort, or stiffening it for improved cornering.

In a Comfort setting, for example, the suspension is more compliant, making it better at absorbing potholes. On the opposite end, Sport steps up the suspension&#;s control of wheel movement, and communicates more feel to the driver. These adjustments can improve roadholding by keeping the tires in better contact with the road surface, which is essential for sporty driving.

BMW

What Vehicles Offer Adaptive Suspension?

Adaptive suspensions are marketed under various names, including BMW Adaptive M Suspension, Lexus Adaptive Variable Suspension, and Mercedes-Benz Adaptive Damping System. A technology called MagneRide, developed by General Motors in the early s, was first introduced by Cadillac before migrating to the Chevrolet Corvette. Later, even the Ford Mustang and some Ferrari models would utilize MagneRide.

Ford

How Does Adaptive Suspension Work?

A number of mechanisms are used by adaptive suspensions to achieve their desired performance. Some systems, like ZF&#;s Continuous Damping Control, use electronically adjustable valves within the suspension dampers, and control movement by the internal flow of oil. When the valves are mostly closed, oil movement between chambers is restricted, and the suspension is firm and direct. When the valves open wider, the suspension is softer, and the damping effect is reduced.

MagneRide uses electromagnetic coils acting on a special damper fluid that contains tiny metallic particles. Varying the magnetic field shifts the alignment of the particles in the magnetorheological fluid, changing its flow characteristics to soften or firm up the suspension action.

Some sophisticated adaptive suspensions can also adjust to road conditions automatically, and make changes in a fraction of a second. To achieve this, sensors monitor a variety of factors, including the movement of each wheel, and alter the stiffness as you drive. Rolls-Royce even has a feature &#; called Flagbearer &#; that uses cameras to scan the road ahead, and prepare the suspension for bumps before the wheels ever encounter them.

Written by humans.
Edited by humans.

This site is for educational purposes only. The third parties listed are not affiliated with Capital One and are solely responsible for their opinions, products and services. Capital One does not provide, endorse or guarantee any third-party product, service, information or recommendation listed above. The information presented in this article is believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but is subject to change. The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of the product. The material provided on this site is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice or to indicate the availability or suitability of any Capital One product or service to your unique circumstances. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, you may wish to consult a qualified professional.

This site is for educational purposes only. The third parties listed are not affiliated with Capital One and are solely responsible for their opinions, products and services. Capital One does not provide, endorse or guarantee any third-party product, service, information or recommendation listed above. The information presented in this article is believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but is subject to change. The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of the product. The material provided on this site is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice or to indicate the availability or suitability of any Capital One product or service to your unique circumstances. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, you may wish to consult a qualified professional.

Jordan Golson

Jordan Golson is a transportation reporter covering cars, trains, planes, future cities, mobility and more &#; basically, if it moves and doesn&#;t go to space, he's on it. He is especially interested in the intersection of transportation and technology, and that means he goes deep into electric cars, autonomous vehicle tech, sensors, safety, connectivity, and similar topics.

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