How AIRMATIC Suspension Protects Your Mercedes-Benz on Ottawa's Challenging Roads
December 26 2025,
Ottawa drivers know the reality: Carling Avenue's potholes, construction zones on the Queensway, and frost heaves on Hunt Club Road test every vehicle's suspension. Mercedes-Benz AIRMATIC air suspension responds to these challenges with intelligent technology that adapts to road conditions in real time, protecting both vehicle and occupants from the impact of damaged pavement.
AIRMATIC uses air springs and continuously adjustable dampers to absorb road imperfections before they reach the cabin. Sophisticated sensors monitor road surface quality at each wheel, adjusting damping characteristics independently to isolate impacts. The system maintains consistent ground clearance regardless of load while adapting to conditions as needed, ensuring a controlled, comfortable ride even when one wheel encounters a pothole.
How AIRMATIC Responds to Road Imperfections
AIRMATIC's adaptive damping system monitors road surface quality continuously and adjusts each wheel independently. The damping characteristics are controlled automatically at each individual wheel in both the compression and rebound stages. Sophisticated sensor technology and algorithms set the dampers according to the quality of the road surface to ensure that driving over a bump with one wheel is not transferred to the entire axle and interior.
This wheel-by-wheel control means that when your left front wheel drops into a pothole on Carling Avenue, the system responds at that specific corner without transmitting the impact through the chassis to other wheels or the cabin. The result is a noticeable reduction in the jarring sensation that typically accompanies damaged pavement.
With level control, AIRMATIC maintains constant ground clearance irrespective of vehicle load while adapting to conditions as needed. No matter if you're driving solo or carrying passengers and cargo, the suspension automatically adjusts to keep the vehicle level and maintain optimal damping performance.
Intelligent Suspension Control in the Electric GLC
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz electric GLC introduces a new dimension to AIRMATIC technology with its optional Agility & Comfort Package. The intelligent suspension control features a Car-to-X function that provides greater ride comfort by leveraging data from other Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
The Car-to-X function works by receiving real-time information from Mercedes-Benz vehicles ahead, transmitted through the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud and anonymized. When another GLC encounters a pothole or rough section of road, it shares that data with vehicles following behind. Your GLC then adjusts damping electrically before reaching those same road imperfections, preparing the suspension to absorb the impact more effectively.
In certain driving situations in which the body would normally oscillate harshly and bump stops would be reached abruptly, the Car-to-X function allows the GLC to adjust damping preemptively. The increase in ride comfort is particularly noticeable for rear-seat passengers, who often experience the harshest impacts from road irregularities.
AIRMATIC Across the Mercedes-Benz Lineup
AIRMATIC technology is available across multiple Mercedes-Benz models, each calibrated for its specific application:
E-Class Sedan and Wagon
The E-Class features AIRMATIC air suspension with ADS+ continuously adjustable damping as part of the Technology Package. The system offers highly sensitive responses while maintaining consistent ground clearance regardless of vehicle load. In COMFORT program, the vehicle automatically lowers at higher speeds to reduce wind resistance and improve fuel efficiency.
GLC SUV
The GLC 350e plug-in hybrid includes self-leveling rear air suspension as standard equipment, helping maintain an even keel regardless of cargo, passengers, or solo driving. This ensures predictable handling characteristics from navigating city streets to loading for a weekend trip.
AMG Performance Models
AMG models take adaptive suspension further with AMG RIDE CONTROL, which continuously adjusts damping at each wheel to current driving conditions. Three distinct damper maps—Comfort, Sport, and Sport+—provide noticeable differentiation between ride comfort and dynamic driving characteristics. The AMG G 63 features this system as standard, while the AMG GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE includes AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL with active hydraulic roll stabilization.
Practical Benefits for Ottawa Driving
AIRMATIC's adaptive technology delivers tangible benefits for daily driving in Ottawa:
- Pothole Impact Reduction: Independent wheel damping prevents single-wheel impacts from transferring through the chassis
- Construction Zone Comfort: Adjustable ride height allows increased ground clearance when navigating rough temporary surfaces
- Load Compensation: Level control maintains optimal suspension geometry from driving solo to fully loaded
- Winter Road Adaptation: Continuous damping adjustment responds to changing traction conditions on snow-covered or icy surfaces
The system operates automatically, requiring no driver input under normal conditions. AIRMATIC continuously monitors driving situations and adjusts accordingly, from smooth highway cruising to navigating deteriorated urban streets.
AIRMATIC Key Features
|
Feature |
Benefit |
|
Individual Wheel Damping Control |
Isolates single-wheel impacts from rest of chassis |
|
Automatic Level Control |
Maintains consistent ground clearance regardless of load |
|
Adjustable Ride Height |
Increases clearance for rough surfaces when needed |
|
Car-to-X Function (2027 GLC) |
Prepares suspension for road imperfections ahead using cloud data |
|
ADS+ Continuously Adjustable Damping |
Adapts in real time to changing road conditions |
Experience AIRMATIC Technology at Mercedes-Benz Ottawa Downtown
AIRMATIC suspension represents Mercedes-Benz's engineering approach to real-world driving challenges. The technology responds to conditions Ottawa drivers face regularly, from seasonal frost heaves to persistent pothole damage on major routes. Visit our team in Ottawa to experience how AIRMATIC adapts to local road conditions and protects your vehicle and passengers from the impact of damaged pavement.
