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Does My Mustang Have MagneRide?

mustang magneride suspension setup s550

Since 2016, MagneRide suspension has changed Ford Mustang road handling for the better. This article offers insight into Mustang MagneRide technology and is a helpful guide to accompany our recent Steeda Tech Tip video How To Check If Your Mustang Has MagneRide.

If your Mustang doesn't have MagneRide from the factory, fret not! Here at Steeda, we have plenty of Mustang suspension options to take your Mustang to the next level when it comes to grip and overall handling characteristics!


MagneRide Video What Is MagneRide What Is MagneRide On Mustangs? MagneRide Advantages Does My Mustang Have MagneRide? How To Check For MagneRide



How To Check For MagneRide



magneride suspension Cadillac and corvette

What Is MagneRide

Initially developed by Delphi Automotive when it was part of General Motors (yes, your MagneRide-equipped Mustang has DNA from GM!), MagneRide adaptive suspension technology first appeared in the 2002 Cadillac Seville STS and the C5 Corvette for 2003. Delphi Automotive eventually separated from GM as a stand-alone company and declared bankruptcy in 2005. Ohio-based BWI acquired MagneRide in 2009, and BorgWarner now owns the remainder of Delphi. In addition to MagneRide's GM origins and current use in Mustangs, the technology has appeared in other car brands, including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Land Rover, and Acura.



mustang suspension magneride

What Is MagneRide On Mustangs?

A standard Mustang suspension relies on basic shock absorbers and struts (dampers) filled with hydraulic fluid (an oil) to absorb imperfections on the road surface. Regardless of the pothole's size or the height of a speed bump, the standard damper responds only one way because of the hydraulic fluid's limitations.

MagneRide uses dampers filled with magnetorheological (MR) fluid, a blend of iron and synthetic oil, and easily magnetized. Through electromagnets in each damper, the system will adjust the MR fluid's density to soften or stiffen the suspension in response to road conditions. MagneRide uses sensors that monitor Mustang body roll and signals the system to adjust the magnetization level accordingly.



shelby gt500 track package

Advantages Of MagneRide

While there is a cost for MagneRide on a Mustang, either as an option or as part of a top-tier Mustang variant, MagneRide offers several advantages over the standard suspension.

  • Smoother ride and improved handling
  • Fewer moving parts and increased longevity potential
  • Less costly than a complete aftermarket suspension upgrade
  • Affordable aftermarket upgrades specifically designed for MagneRide-equipped Mustangs


mustang pricing window sticker

Does My Mustang Have MagneRide?

Let's review which Mustangs have the MagneRide system as standard equipment or as an option.

  • 2016-2020 Shelby GT350 (standard)
  • 2018-2023 Mustang EcoBoost/GT with Level 1 Performance Package (optional)
  • 2018-2020 Mustang GT with Level 2 Performance Package (standard)
  • 2019-2020 Bullitt Mustang (optional)
  • 2020-2023 Mustang EcoBoost with High-Performance Package/Handling Package (standard)
  • 2020-2022 Shelby GT500 (standard)
  • 2021-2023 Mustang Mach 1 (standard)

There is no interior or exterior badging to signify if a Mustang has MagneRide. If you are trying to figure out if your car is so equipped--and it's not a standard feature mentioned above--then look at your Mustang's original window sticker. MagneRide will be listed here if it's on the car. If you don't have the window sticker, contact a Ford dealer to request a duplicate.



How To Check For MagneRide

When all else fails, and you're unable to determine if your Mustang is MagneRide equipped, then you have to get up close with the car (more likely under the wheel wells). Our Steeda Tech Tip video How To Check If Your Mustang Has MagneRide will be a valuable resource. Let's explore the highlights of this video.

The video begins with an overview of MagneRide-equipped Mustangs that we talked about above and dives into close-up descriptions of Mustangs without and with MagneRide. We'll use timestamps from the video so you can follow along as Chris from Steeda takes us through the details.


1:22 | Mustang Without MagneRide (front)

2018 mustang gt stock suspension

Here, watchers can peek inside an unobstructed front wheel well of a 2018 Mustang GT. A glance at the brakes tells you this vehicle is not equipped with a performance package. In this non-modified car, we can see the factory front strut as well as the springs and sway bar. An ABS line is shown as it extends horizontally from behind the splash shield. A Mustang with MagneRide will also have a control line that runs parallel to the ABS line.


1:51 | Mustang Without MagneRide (front--alternate view)

2018 mustang gt stock suspension

In this clip, we see the back of the front strut and learn that MagneRide Mustangs would have a line coming from the strut's bottom. This line would go through the harness at the back of the strut and then continue to the MagneRide's electronic control unit (ECU). Another tell-tale sign of a MagneRide system is looking for a ride-height sensor and bracket attached to the control arm we see here.


2:22 | Mustang Without MagneRide (rear)

2018 stock mustang gt suspension

Heading over to the rear wheel well, viewers learn that a MagneRide Mustang will have a harness coming out of the dust cap that sits on top of the shock mount--this is probably the easiest way to spot the difference between cars with and without the MagneRide system. Another indicator of MagneRide is looking for a ride height sensor mounted on the lower control arm. The presence of two holes instead means no MagneRide.


2:55 | Mustang With MagneRide (front)

2018 mustang gt magneride suspension

In this next part of the video, we explore a 2018 Mustang GT equipped with the Level 1 Performance Package and the MagneRide upgrade. While the car has aftermarket Steeda MagneRide Sport Springs and a Steeda front sway bar, we also look at the factory MagneRide strut. Here, we see the ABS line that was mentioned earlier and the MagneRide line as it continues to the damper.


3:33 | Mustang With MagneRide (front--alternate view)

2018 MagneRide Mustang GT Suspension

Looking at the damper, we see a control line coming out of the bottom of the strut. The line continues to the harness and then to the ECU. To further confirm your Mustang's MagneRide equipment, look for a harness with a heat-resistant cover that's close to the exhaust. This line connects to the ride-height sensor that's attached to the lower control arm. This sensor transmits road condition data to the ECU about once every five milliseconds.


4:17 | Mustang With MagneRide (rear)

2018 MagneRide Mustang GT Rear Suspension

In this clip, we can clearly see how the rear factory shock absorber is different than one in the non-MagneRide Mustang--the control line leads from the harness into the top of the shock to deliver system commands.


4:43 | Mustang With MagneRide (rear-alternate view)

2018 MagneRide Mustang GT Rear Suspension

In this final segment, we see MagneRide ride-height sensors mounted on a rear lower control arm as another indicator of how a Mustang differs from one without this system. You can also get a good view of Steeda's Mustang MagneRide Sport Springs, which can complement the factory MagneRide system.

Source: Steeda/YouTube, Autopedia, BWI, MotorTrend, Automotive News



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