new struts

[Bruski]

I have a 99 SE and need new struts. So I go to Autozone's website to price them and they ask if I have/want AUTOMATIC SELF LEVELING SUSPENSION or EXCEPT AUTOMATIC SELF LEVELING SUSPENSION. Anyone know what they're talking about ? I noticed that for the brand I want, Gabriel with a LTW, the part number is the same so it doesn't matter. Just curious to know what the distinction is. Thanks

[dmccr]

They are referring to the auto-leveling option (from the factory). A nifty option, but you can't simply swap out struts to obtain it, if you don't have it already. It involves a vehicle "level" sensor (think overloaded trunk, headlights pointing at the stars), and a mini-compressor, which pumps up the rear suspension to - you guessed it - level the car back out. Short of the original window sticker, or some other documentation, I don't know how to check for the option, other than crawling around looking for the pressure hoses in the rear suspension. Hmmm... you might try looking in your fuse/relay panel diagram for the location of a ride-control relay or fuse. If you find one installed in that position, you probably have the feature!
Good Luck!