Lowering refers to the lowering of the vehicle body by installing various suspension components such as lowering springs, coilovers and sports suspensions. This is usually done for visual reasons, but it can also improve performance and handling.
Hengguang supply professional and honest service.
In this article, we explain what you need to consider when tuning with lowering springs in order to achieve the maximum performance and best appearance when lowering your vehicle.
For tuners, the appearance of their own car is by far the most important reason for lowering it. Not only can driving performance be improved, but a sportier appearance can also be achieved by lowering the car. But what advantages and disadvantages should tuners consider?
Unfortunately, lowering can also bring disadvantages. In addition to the general product and conversion costs, tuners should also keep the following aspects in mind. Depending on the type and extent of the lowering, these points will of course have varying degrees of impact:
Unfortunately, lowering can also have disadvantages. In addition to the general product and conversion costs, tuners should also keep the following aspects in mind. Depending on the type and extent of the lowering, these points will of course have a different impact:
In addition, it should be noted that a balanced suspension generally offers more ride comfort. That’s why we at BILSTEIN work according to the motto: “As soft as possible, as hard as necessary”.
Because for all the advantages of a tight set-up, softer springs and dampers provide more traction and a higher mechanical grip, especially on undulating tracks such as the Nürburgring-Nordschleife.
However, many of these problems only arise with maximum or incorrect lowering. If you do not lower the car to the maximum or can at least react flexibly to road conditions with a coilover suspension, you will hardly notice the disadvantages mentioned above.
As with many things in the tuning sector, there are also many implementation variants when it comes to lowering. The most common methods at a glance:
An almost traditional problem with suspension tuning: for budget reasons and/or due to lack of knowledge, many tuning fans often limit themselves to fitting shorter lowering springs in conjunction with the standard dampers. Not a good decision.
Because lowering springs should always be considered in combination with the shock absorbers: Standard products are always matched to the spring rates of the standard springs.
Because the spring travel of lowering springs is shorter, they have a harder spring rate – which the standard shock absorber is simply not designed for. When using sports springs, we therefore recommend combining them with appropriately matched shock absorbers.
Our BILSTEIN B8 shock absorber is specially designed for use with lowering springs. It not only has a correspondingly sporty characteristic curve, but is also shortened in length. This gives it outstanding road performance.
Of course, many manufacturers also offer ready-tuned complete suspension systems. These usually include four shortened shock absorbers and correspondingly tuned lowering springs. For example, the BILSTEIN B12 sports suspension kit belongs in this category.
Standard sports suspensions are aimed at drivers who want a sporty look and set-up, but without having to accept major sacrifices in comfort.
Our guide to sports suspensions gives a good overview and shows that you can lower your vehicle sufficiently even without a thread.
Suspension coilovers are a high-performance product that, in addition to infinitely variable height adjustment, usually also offer manual damping force regulation. This results in a wide range of adjustment, which allows the driver to adapt the suspension to individual wishes.
Our detailed overview of coilovers explains the differences between the various suspension systems and shows for which type of driver which suspension system is worthwhile.
At this point we have not included the installation of air spring suspension and the use of a hydraulic, club sport or electronically adjustable suspension.
Even though these types of lowering are theoretically possible, we would like to remain as practical as possible with our article and provide assistance for private tuners. After all, these products are high-end solutions for drivers with special demands.
The costs for lowering can vary greatly. On the one hand, because the different lowering variants also differ greatly from each other in terms of cost. On the other hand, manufacturer and workshop costs are always different.
Nevertheless, here is a rough classification and price range that is realistic according to our experience. For the calculation, we assume the purchase of a complete kit with 4 springs/shock absorbers:
With the BILSTEIN dealer and workshop search, you can find a suitable partner for the purchase and installation of your suspension with corresponding lowering springs.
Regardless of whether only the lowering springs or the entire suspension is replaced, lowering the car should always be carried out by a specialist. Theoretically, it is possible to carry out these measures yourself (assuming the appropriate know-how), but installation by a specialist workshop or an experienced automotive mechatronics’ technician is always the safest option.
Because in addition to a warranty on the installation, as well as a correct wheel alignment and registration, you can then be sure to fulfil all requirements according to TÜV guidelines and ABE (general operating permit).
Contact us to discuss your requirements of custom coil springs for cars. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Lowering your car by simply shortening the springs is not only illegal, but also represents an extreme safety risk for the driver and other road users. For this reason, you should never shorten your springs on your own, but always use lowering springs.
The German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO) do not contain any precise information on the ground clearance of a car. Nevertheless, there are some regulations to be observed.
If your car has to undergo a general inspection or if you want to have your lowering registered with the TÜV, the inspectors are guided by the “VdTÜV Merkblatt 751”. This states that a vehicle, including the driver and a completely filled tank, must be able to drive over an obstacle with a height of 110 mm without touching it.
In addition, according to the StVZO, a car’s dipped and main beam lights and indicators must be mounted at least 500 mm above the road surface. And the lower edge of the front number plate must not start below 200 mm above the ground.
And in our latest Auto Tuning Guide, you’ll find out everything you need to know about tuning in general this year. No keywords
Lowering your car or truck so it’s closer to the ground is a popular way to customize your ride. Done right, it’s a great look that also boosts handling performance. Done wrong, it could compromise handling, drivability and traction, reduce tire tread life and even damage parts.
More Road Feel
A lowered suspension helps a driver be highly attuned to how their vehicle acts on different pavement as more of the vibrations from imperfections in the road surface come through the steering wheel.
Stiffer Ride
With this setup, you have to have more rigid springs so the front or back of your vehicle won’t bottom out over bumps or depressions. This is the driving experience many prefer, versus a cushier ride from, say, a luxury sedan.
Less Lean in Corners
The lean of a vehicle around a sharp turn is greatly reduced because the shift of weight is less due to the lower center of gravity. The part of the vehicle on the outside of a turn stays more level with the inside. This lets a car settle more quickly into a turn and act more responsively.
Better Handling
Another effect of being closer to the ground is improved responsiveness, more stability, and grip at speed. Because lowering means getting stiffer springs, there is less weight transfer when you hit the gas or brake hard. This means you’ll enjoy faster acceleration and quicker stops.
Less Air Drag
Lowered vehicles are more aerodynamic. There’s less air hitting the wheels and tires (that are not streamlined shapes). This makes these cars faster. Some owners of low-stance vehicles also notice improved gas mileage. BUT, lowering a car too much will actually increase wind drag.
Less Rollover Risk
Lowered vehicles have a lower center of gravity, which decreases rollover risk when cornering.
Improved Traction
Lowering generally means you’ll put a plus-sized tire and wheel package on the vehicle. Such tires have shorter sidewalls, a larger contact patch (that keeps more rubber in contact with the road) and less roll around corners.
Good Looks
Cars and trucks that have been lowered with custom wheels are attention-getters. It’s a more aggressive and performance-oriented look that stands out in a crowd.
Less Ride Comfort
If you and your passengers are accustomed to a softer suspension that cushions impacts like bumps and potholes, you may think less of the ride comfort of a lower suspension. You may also notice increased road noise since you’re closer to the pavement.
No Go on Rough Roads
The lower clearance will not be your friend on rutted, rocky, washboard and potholed roads.
Uneven or Accelerated Tire Wear
Lowering changes the geometry of your wheel-tire fitment. If it’s done improperly, your car may have an alignment problem that results in premature or extreme wear patterns.
Bottoming Out
Even an inch-and-a-half lower suspension can cause problems around corners, with slight potholes or on speed bumps. Traveling over the lip of a parking garage or starting up a driveway or ramp could cause the front of your vehicle to hit the pavement. Contact with the ground can cause serious damage to components underneath the car, like the exhaust system and oil pan.
If you ever need a tow truck, you may require a flat bed. Otherwise, there could be a problem with the back body of the vehicle dragging on the ground.
Potential Rubbing on Parts or Tires
Poorly done or extreme lowering can cause suspension and steering parts to contact each other, the wheels or the tires. It could also cause tires to rub the body during turns or going over bumps.
Can’t Use a Standard Jack
If you get a flat tire, you may find out at an inconvenient time that there’s not enough clearance to get the unit under the vehicle’s frame.
Cost
Quality components and keeping correct alignment can get pricey. The lower you go, the more chance you’ll need additional parts. For example, if coilovers (meaning coil spring over shock) are part of your new setup, you’re likely looking at an outlay of $1,000 or more.
Warranty Issues
You should check both your owner’s manual and any manufacturer’s or aftermarket warranty to determine if 1) the manufacturer advises against lowering your car, or 2) if lowering your car will void or adversely affect any warranty coverage you currently have.
Here’s what to know before you go low.
Any time you change your vehicle’s OE (original equipment) suspension, you should be sure that you’re not creating a setup that is either unsafe or is going to cause problems with other car functions. Like with many aftermarket customizations, it’s about finding the right balance of safety, performance, looks, cost, and drivability. Stop by your local Les Schwab for help.