Function of AIRMATIC
AIRMATIC is an air suspension system with variable
damping for improved driving comfort. The
all-round level control system ensures the best
possible suspension and constant ground clearance,
even with a laden vehicle. When driving at
speed, the vehicle is lowered automatically to
improve driving safety and to reduce fuel consumption.
You also have the option of manually
adjusting the vehicle level.
AIRMATIC includes the following components
and functions:
- Air suspension with automatic level control
- Speed-dependent lowering to reduce fuel
consumption
- Manually selectable high-level setting for
greater ground clearance
- ADS PLUS (Adaptive Damping System with
constant damping force adjustment)
- DYNAMIC SELECT switch and level button
Available suspension tunings
Drive program |
Characteristics |
(Comfort) |
- The suspension tuning is comfortable.
- The vehicle is set to the normal level.
- When driving at speeds above 77 mph (125 km/h) the vehicle is
lowered.
- When driving at speeds below 50 mph (80 km/h) the vehicle is
raised again.
|
(Economy) |
- The suspension tuning is comfortable.
- The vehicle is set to the low level.
- The vehicle is not lowered any further if you are traveling at
higher speeds.
|
(Sport) |
- The suspension tuning is firmer.
- The vehicle is set to the low level.
- The vehicle is not lowered any further if you are traveling at
higher speeds.
|
(Sport Plus) |
- The suspension tuning is even firmer.
- The vehicle is set to the low level.
- The vehicle is not lowered any further if you are traveling at
higher speeds.
|
Setting the vehicle level
WARNING Risk of accident because
vehicle level is too high |
If you drive at a higher vehicle level, the driving
characteristics may be impaired due to
the higher vehicle center of gravity.
The vehicle can drift outwards, for example,
when steering or cornering.
- Always choose a vehicle level which is
suited to the driving style and the road
surface conditions.
|
WARNING Risk of entrapment from vehicle
lowering |
When lowering the vehicle, people could
become trapped if their limbs are between
the vehicle body and the tires or underneath
the vehicle.
- Make sure no one is underneath the
vehicle or in the immediate vicinity of
the wheel arches when you lower the
vehicle.
|
WARNING Risk of entrapment from vehicle
lowering |
Vehicles with AIRMATIC or level control:
When you unload luggage or leave the vehicle,
the vehicle first rises slightly and then
returns to the set level shortly afterwards.
You or anyone else in the vicinity of the
wheel arches or the underbody could thus
become trapped.
The vehicle can also be lowered after being
locked.
- When leaving the vehicle, make sure
that nobody is in the vicinity of the
wheel arches or the underbody.
|
Requirements:
- The vehicle has been started.
- The vehicle must not be moving faster than
37 mph (60 km/h).
Raising the vehicle
Your selection is saved.
The vehicle is lowered again in the following situations:
- When driving faster than 50 mph (80 km/h).
- When driving between 37 mph (60 km/h)
and 50 mph (80 km/h) for approximately
three minutes.
- After selecting a drive program using the
DYNAMIC SELECT switch.
The vehicle is adjusted to the height of the
active drive program.
Lowering the vehicle
|