An air suspension system relies on bags of compressed gas to cushion shocks. Instead of traditional coil springs, the vehicle sits on four bags of air, usually made of a similar type of rubber as the car's tires.

These bags can be inflated and deflated to alter the vehicle's ride height. The ride height changes, so does the way the suspension performs. Air suspension systems are sometimes known by other names, such as "pneumatic suspension systems" or "air ride suspension systems."