5v/cyl

Isn't the AR supposed to try to keep itself level whether the key is on or off? I randomly hear air being let out (key off) after exiting the vehicle or unloading cargo, but it doesn't do the opposite and raise with key off. Yes there is air in the pressure tank as i know the comp. won't run unless key on.

A week ago I was loading the back for vacation and the rear was sagging. As soon as I turned the key on (eng. off) it lifted right up without the compressor turning on. My front also settles overnight a bit (new bags in future) but will also pop right back the next morning without compressor running. Compressor will come on later.

Is this normal or should it auto lower and raise w/ key off?

Kneale Brownson

I think opening the door/hatch should tell the air tank to relevel if it's not level. Drooping is a sign of a leak.

PaperToast

mine will self level with key in, out and running

so i would think that is normal

05allroad

There were some minor changes to the suspension computer thru the C5 allroad run. IIRC, the earlier models are supposed to raise to L3 when parked, however it's possible that you've locked it out of L3 by dropping it to L2 manually when it wanted to be in L3.

Probably not going to help a ton, but you may want to try manually raising it to L3, taking a drive and going fast enough to get it to drop to L2, then parking and seeing if it comes back to L3 (although in my 05 if I go >50 and it drops to 2, when I come to a stop, it'll automatically go back to L3 - although I usually keep it locked to go no higher than L2).

G'luck.

all(over)road

Hmmm...my 01' stays at level 2 when parked (not locked in at that level btw)...then at higway speeds the car drops to level 1, then it goes back to level 2 once leaving the highway speeds around town.

Level 2 is the normal driving level AFAIK.

Yes, its normal for these cars to raise itself some when the car is off and you open a door...at least my 01' does this, and has been doing it for the past 7 years. No on your question tho, the car won't auto-lower with the key off.

5v/cyl

I've heard about the 'Parking Mode' and that it supposed to move up to L3 when parked and locked, but mine has never done that. I typically run in L2.

I just found it odd that if I remove cargo while parked, I can hear it let air out if the height increases as weight is removed, but it didn't do the opposite. I had loaded about 250 lbs in the rear and another about 100 lbs on the roof and the rear had gone down about a inch or so in the rear due to the added weight. Doors had been opened and closed numerous times, but it wasn't until I turned the key on that the back jacked itself back up to normal L2 height and the compressor did not have to run to do it.

I'll have to Arnott the fronts in the future as they will randomly leak a little and go to L1 overnight. Sometimes they stay up for days as well. Rears have never leaked down.

Mr. Timewise

The raising and lowering of the allroad while parked does have some time constraints. Here's some info from the self study guide:

Run-on mode/run-up mode
Sleep mode

* I think this means that the tolerance of suspension height change is broadened before an adjustment is made. That is, adjustment is not made if only a small change is measured when the car is just parked with the ignition off.

In the guide, there is also mention of two different ECUs used in the system and how they differ...specifically in regard to the automatic adjustment to level 3 (a.k.a. HL1) while parked. See pages 10 - 12.

Here's the complete guide.

Todd Beaulieu

That's a fascinating post.

It is quite normal for the car to let out air after parking. I've been hauling a lot of material and as I unload either the trunk or the trailer, it often breaths a sigh of relief.

I've never seen it go up, though.

bikspk

My '01 stays in the level control that you parked it in.

I know this as my front leaks down in L2 but not in L3 (suspect leak is in part the gets "closed" when at L3).

Sure would be handy if it did return to where it came from but at least it reminds me every time that I need to order new front bags.

frazered

my 01 allroad has auto and manual ride height control

in auto and parked with ignition out it returns to L3

in manual it stays where I have set it

to switch between the two modes i have to hold down 1 of the up or down buttoms for more than 2 seconds - the manual light is either on or off