The driver can select five different suspension settings.
The ride characteristics are adapted automatically according to road speed and elapsed time. For example, the higher suspension levels are not available above certain road speeds.
If the comfort or automatic mode is selected the suspension drops automatically to Low level when road speed exceeds about 120 km/h for more than 30 seconds. In this position ground clearance is approximately 15 mm less than with the Normal height level.
In the automatic and dynamic modes, the suspension height is lowered automatically to Low (motorway) when the road speed exceeds about 160 km/h for more than 20 seconds. In this position ground clearance is approximately 35 mm less than with the Normal height level. This has the advantage of improved handling thanks to the lower centre of gravity, and better fuel economy due to the reduced air resistance.
Suspension level |
Ground clearance |
---|---|
Raised level 2 |
approx. 240 mm |
Raised level 1 |
approx. 205 mm |
Normal level |
approx. 180 mm |
Low level |
approx. 165 mm
(S line/V12 TDI: 145 mm)* |
Low (motorway) level |
approx. 145 mm |
The segment -3- in the MMI display Link or in the instrument cluster display Link shows the currently selected suspension level.
automatic
Select the automatic setting for a balanced, comfort-oriented ride. The damping characteristics of the shock absorbers are adjusted accordingly.
- Automatic adjustment to lower level: the suspension height is lowered automatically by 15 mm to the low level when the road speed exceeds about 120 km/h for more than 30 seconds. The suspension height is lowered automatically by a further 20 mm to Low (motorway) level when road speed exceeds about 160 km/h for more than 20 seconds.
- Automatic adjustment to higher level: When the suspension is at the Low (motorway) level, it will automatically be raised to Low level if the speed drops below about 130 km/h for 20 seconds. The suspension is raised back automatically to the Normal level when the road speed drops below about 70 km/h for 2 minutes. The normal ride height will be resumed immediately if the road speed drops below about 35 km/h.
dynamic
Select the dynamic setting for performance-oriented suspension characteristics. The vehicle will be lowered to the Low level when the vehicle is still stationary. In this setting the damper characteristics are firmer for more active driving. The indicator lamp in the instrument cluster will light up for a few seconds to warn the driver that ground clearance is reduced.
When your vehicle has been parked in the dynamic setting, the indicator lamp will come back on for a few seconds when you switch the ignition on again.
- Automatic adjustment to lower level: The suspension height is lowered by 20 mm to Low (motorway) level when road speed exceeds about 160 km/h for more than 20 seconds.
- Automatic adjustment to higher level: The suspension is raised back automatically to the Low level when the road speed drops below about 130 km/h for more than 20 seconds. The Low ride height level will be resumed immediately if the road speed drops below about 35 km/h.
comfort
Select the comfort setting for maximum ride comfort. In this setting the damper characteristics are relatively soft for maximum comfort.
- Automatic adjustment to lower level: the suspension height is lowered automatically by 15 mm to the low level when the road speed exceeds about 120 km/h for more than 30 seconds.
- Automatic adjustment to higher level: the suspension is raised back automatically to the normal level when the road speed drops below about 70 km/h for more than 2 minutes. The normal ride height will be resumed immediately if the road speed drops below about 35 km/h.
offroad
Select the offroad setting if you have to drive over uneven surfaces (rough tracks, etc.). In this mode the suspension is raised to Raised level 1 and the damper characteristics are adjusted to suit rough surfaces. The adaptive air suspension display will appear automatically in the instrument cluster when you change to the offroad setting Link.
The offroad setting is only available at speeds below 60 km/h. If the road speed exceeds about 80 km/h, the offroad setting is cancelled automatically and the suspension returns to the automatic setting.
lift
Select the lift setting if you require extra ground clearance at low speed. In this mode the suspension is raised to Raised level 2. The adaptive air suspension display will appear automatically in the instrument cluster when you change to the lift setting Link.
The lift setting is only available at speeds below 20 km/h. If the road speed exceeds about 40 km/h the lift setting is cancelled automatically and the suspension returns to the offroad setting. The adaptive air suspension display will appear automatically in the instrument cluster to show that the extra ground clearance is now no longer available.
Note
There is no motorway level on vehicles with S line sports suspension* or V12 TDI engine*. These vehicles are lowered to approx. 145 mm in Low level mode. Vehicles with the V12 TDI engine are not automatically lowered in comfort mode until the road speed exceeds 140 km/h, and are automatically raised again at 100 km/h.