esoteric83

So I just purchased a 2002 CL500 with no drivers manual. How does the ride height work. I see there is a button to raise the height of the vehicle. It doesn't seem to lower when I turn it off..... At least right away. Or does the car automatically lower itself when moving? Let me know any info you have. Hopefully I can stop by the dealership and pick up the driving manual so I can figure these things out on my own. Thanks Guys/Gals

radride

If you press the button once, the one light comes on, it raises the car a little, press it again and the second light comes on raising it to the maximum height. You should feel the car raising. If you press it one more time it lowers to the factory setting which in my opinion looks like a 4x4.

R.K.

mf219

the raised height settings are for driving on rough roads, deep snow, etc. The car is normally driven at the lowest setting (no lights on). I only raise mine up when I go thru the car wash. The ABC will automatically adjust the ride height as you drive, with the desired setting as a starting point.

esoteric83

The previous owner put springs in. The 20" wheels hugged right under the body when I bought it but once I hit the ride height button the wheels no longer hug nicely (About an 1.5" gap. Not sure what I did, even went through the entire cycle of height adjustments. Maybe I'm missing something. I'll try to pick up the user manual from the dealership this week.

maxwerks

If the previous owner put springs on then the manual wont help you .. what the other members posted above describing the settings is what is in the manual ... if your car has been converted to something else then I highly doubt that the manual will give you any more clarity . You are better off taking it to an indie and ask him to see what has been exactly done to the car ...

saintz

Springs? The suspension is hydraulic, it doesn't use springs in the conventional sense to lower. Did he install links or a lowering module, by any chance? You really need to know what's being used to lower it.

esoteric83

Maybe springs was the wrong word. I just bought the CL. please excuse my ignorance. This is a new world for me from a BMW

Ifari

Buy the MBZ STAR SERVICE Service Manual Library DVD for the 215/220 model cars...the cost is approx. $100.
It has ALL Repair, Maintenance, Diagnostic Information, Function Description, Wiring Diagrams with Component Locations, Service Bulletins, DTBs, plus Owners and Introduction Manual.

IMO, it is the best money you can spend and the best resource you can have if you own these cars.

saintz

No worries. Do you know how he lowered it? This will factor in a lot.

esoteric83

So I go to my car this morning and its slammed again. So low when I hit a bump the back tire rubs for a sec on the body (20" wheels) I'm confused here. Looks damn good but I think my Cl has a mind of its own, other days its slightly higher. I wish it would make up its mind

saintz

On the dash, there is a button that shows an up arrow. There are two LEDs. Fully lowered is all lights off. Raised one step is one light. Raised completely is 2 lights. What is yours set at? Have you used this button? That is the only way the car should raise or lower itself (at least when sitting). Also, the car can sink if sitting for a while, but it should raise back up when you start it.

esoteric83

No ride height lights are on. This is what makes it so confusing
Usually once I start driving it does rise slightly but not today. I don't get it. I might just take it to the dealership and let them figure it out

radride

Are you getting any ABC warning readouts on the dash. Is it saying car too low, do not drive?

R.K.

esoteric83

Hi there is a message on the dash that says "ABC careful" or something of that sort. But doesn't say do not drive

radride

Go and get it check out. What color is the message? Red or white?

R.K.

slonar21

You have ABC problems, do as radride suggests, get it diagnosed ASAP.

The car should not drop overnight, it should always be at the same level on all 4 corners for at least one week, if it drops in a longer period of time that's OK, but in one day = problems

esoteric83

The message is red

slonar21

This is bad, I would guess the pump is dying, did you verify the ABC fluid level?

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w215...intenance.html

radride

Sounds like it. Goodluck and let us know how it goes.

R.K.

slonar21

Try not to use the car, a damaged pump may contaminate the whole ABC system with small metal debris.

theunderlord

also, you can download a PDF of your owners manual from the MB Website.


Click here

saintz

Agree, you need to get it checked, soon. The fluid level could be low, or the pump bad, or the valve blocks, or all of the above. If you leave it or drive it, the problem can get worse as the problems cause other parts to fail.

esoteric83

Drove it again later and back up again to normal height. Definitely will get it checked. Fluid levels are up! Mercedes should have recalled the W215 on this, because it seems like a major common issue and a safety issue as well.