awdinut

rotated tires by jacking-up one side of car ,then letting that side down and doing the other side. Is that likely to have done any damage? I don't know what the jack mode actually does.

ModestW12

I thought it was towing mode, not jack mode. Other than that, don't know much about it. See if the manual has any information. I'd do it but I have to leave in 45 seconds. Also, try scanning the forums for "towing mode".

Brozee

I don't ever use jack mode. As when I take the car to discount tire I guarantee they never put it in jack mode to lift the car up, nor does my mechanic when he had to look at my control arm bushings. Never harm done, your just being over cautious . But if possible use jack mode as much as possible.

Mister Bally

Jack mode basically keeps the suspension "locked". When you don't use it, suspension travel is maximized. That basically means that if you use the car equipped jack and do not shim it with a 2" shim, you may not be able to raise the car high enough to change a wheel/tire.

MP4.2+6.0

As Mister Bally said, seems to basically just deal with shocks notextending so far if you engage it.

What I do always end up doing is putting the suspension in the highest setting to start. Otherwise, it is hard to get my (already pretty low height) floor jack under the car, especially in front. I always use the subframe mounting points there rather than the hand jack point since it seems much stronger and also not subject to showing dings from jacking.

donkauer

I have to change the rear brakes and I'm having a problem getting the MMI to jack mode.........I get to jack mode on the screen and it's reading off...What do I press to enter jack mode on?????? ..... Don.......

tjf

Select it by pushing the **** while jack mode is highlighted. It should then show a box to right with the on / off selections. Rotate till ON is highlighted then push the **** to select it.

sutherland

Not using it never seems to harm an A8, but never fail to enter jacking mode on the original model allroad. A tyre place did that to me once and cause over £1k of damage.

Vicl

Actually, the Jack Mode HAVE to be engaged each time if you are jacking one side of the car. If you are jacking the car itself the Jack mode does not have to be activated.
The reason behind it is following. If you lift one side the car will try to balance it and will distribute the pressure to other side. The lifted side will virtually have vacuum (0 or even negative pressure)! Due to that the rubber balloon could be shrinking and when you will put the wheel on the ground there is a chance to cut the rubber balloon!
When you switch the suspension to the Jack mode it fill the balloons with some pressure and it will lock the valves, so car is no longer trying to balance the pressure. As a result it will be always a pressure inside of the system and rubber will never be deformed.

mishar

Jack mode is there to prevent leveling system to oppose lifting so it is easier. If it is not engaged nothing will happen. Air springs will not go to the zero pressure even with disconnected air hoses. There are security valves to prevent that, but even without them leveling system is not programmed to commit a suicide. Vacuum would be only possible if there is a vacuum pump in the system.