Ride Height Control Operations
In addition to the automatic ride-height control system for payload compensation, the driver can set three different vehicle ride heights.
- Off-road (+25 mm), high ground clearance to a max. speed of 50 km/h
- Standard (0 mm), normal ride level
- Access (-35 mm), for entry and exit, loading and unloading to a max. speed of 35 km/h or can be activated in Standard mode at road speeds < 25 km/h
The various heights are selected by scroll rocker. Light emitting diodes indicate the present ride height setting.
Ride height can be adjusted from terminal 15 and with the doors closed. The hood and tailgate may be open.
The system also controls inclination automatically, like the single axle air suspension.
All control operations are executed without stopping at intermediate levels. The vehicle is configured pneumatically in such a way that the front and rear axles can be lowered in parallel in any load situation. Depending on the load situation, either the front axle or the rear axle is slightly quicker. On account of the different control speeds, a difference in height between the two axles is possible during all control operations. If a max. permissible threshold is exceeded, the quicker axle is stopped briefly.
The various levels can be preselected while travelling. Changeover between ride levels is effected at the speed threshold values defined in the control unit. The control unit monitors the change-over.
As soon as the driver sets a new target ride level by pressing a button or when a changeover is initiated automatically by a specific driving condition, the LED for the current ride level remains lit and the LED for the target ride level begins to flash.
When the new level is reached, the LED for the previous level goes out and the LED for the new level reached stays lit permanently.
The various levels can be preselected while travelling. Changeover between ride levels is effected at the speed threshold values defined in the control unit. The control unit monitors the change-over.
As soon as the driver sets a new target ride level by pressing a button or when a changeover is initiated automatically by a specific driving condition, the LED for the current ride level remains lit and the LED for the target ride level begins to flash.
When the new level is reached, the LED for the previous level goes out and the LED for the new level reached stays lit permanently.
If a ride level selection is not allowed, the LED indicating the momentary ride level of the vehicle flashes for 3 seconds.
A special case is preselection of Access levels while travelling. The Access LED flashes and the LED for the original ride level is lit permanently. However, this does not mean that a control operation has already begun. The control operation does not actually begin until the speed threshold which the Access level allows is reached or undershot.
In addition to the LED indicator, the following text messages can be displayed in the instrument cluster:
- TRAILER MODE
A coupled trailer is identified via the trailer connector. To avoid damaging the trailer and the vehicle, changes of vehicle level are generally avoided. The standard level is "frozen." If the trailer is coupled at a level other than the Standard level, the vehicle ride level is not changed to Standard unless a button is pressed or the speed threshold for automatic change-over is reached. The standard level is then "frozen" until the trailer connector is disconnected.
- RIDE HEIGHT CONTROL INACTIVE
Faults in the system and on the control unit which are only identified by the instrument cluster, e.g. control unit disconnected
- RIDE HEIGHT CONTROL INACTIVE + MAX. 60 km/h
For safety-critical faults (vehicle is too high or at inclination)