Benzo1999

I've read about many of you having airmatic but not found any with this problem: Has any one come out to find their car's rear airmatic flat after a night of cold? I've read about the entire car going flat, but what about the rear only? Once I start the car, all's well. I park in the extreme cold in Chicago (-5) yesterday & flat???

Your input is greatly appreciated. Please help before I trade this POS for a plain jane lexus. BTW: RE 2003 W211 E500 Sport.

MercFiveHundred

Same exact thing with me and i get a red "stop car too low" message. Rear does fill up after 10 mins. I do have a bad aux battery i have not changed as i get the red "visit workshop" keeps coming on. I think when the battery is drained/dead, it wont try to level itself when it stay over night. Therefore, it must just drop slowly. I dont think there is a leak because there would be a message that pops up on the cluster. I had a leak in the airmatic before (although the car didn't lower) and a white 'airmatic leak' showed up and dealer changed the bad line. I've also had a bad shock and i thought there is a message that says bad shock, too.

Benzo1999

I don't know what to think of it, because there are no messages or codes. I did use a non MB OBD hand-held diag comp. to check for codes, I don't know if that's accurate? when I start the car, no messages. compresser kicks on & then for the rest of the day, the car is fine.

What are your thoughts?

Benz-O-Rama

It's the car's artificial intelligence telling you that it really wants to live life as a lowered E-Class. Slam that biotch!

Benzo1999

Benzo1999

Actually, I did lower the car with the washer method. Then put it back, because of camber issues. Waiting on the Kmac rear kit. Also winters in Chicago are bad...3 feet of snow last month. Currently its on 18" Dunlop snow tires.

I just realized the car gave me a weird noise a last week. I thought I picked up a wire or something. I got a strange scraping noise & then it went away. I guess I better get the car up on a lift and take a look. Hmmm...

blkamgsl55

Air bags on the rear of my 2008 E350 wagon deflated overnight 2 days in a row. Parked in a garage overnight. Builds up very fast, but obviously there's a leak in the system. dealer appointment set up for this coming Tuesday.

Boulder GT3

I think it's artificial intelligence telling you to move some where that's not so cold.

You guys have been getting crushed with the weather. Hopefully, you'll pick up 40 degrees or so in the next day or two.

vettdvr

You have a leak in a crease/fold on the shock system that holds pressure until you have a temp change with power off, Then it opens up and allows the pressure to escape. It is also possible to have a leak on other components, but given the # of shock failures, my $$ is on a bad shock.

Polar Bear

It was 0°F here overnight two nights ago - that's the coldest I can remember in this area. Teens are cold overnight for this area. And the 2005 CDI did start after being left outside like it was 70°F outside! Did not smoke or even run rough. Did not have to wait for the glow plugs either - the preglow light went out just like it was a warm day.

For kicks, I tried to start my W123 300D. It also started without being plugged in, but took some cranking.

sosh

Could be one bad shock that leaks down in extreme cold temps. The car will not try to level itself when parked unless you open the drivers door. If it pumps up after start I would not make an emergency trip to the dealers until you see if it corrects itself when the temps moderate. When you do go in for service have them check it out.

Benzo1999

aren't the rear shocks separate from the air spring? How would a shock make the difference? or are you saying it's a bad airbag?

Diesel Benz

Yes, shocks refer probably to the older (W210 and older models with auto level suspension). I guess it could still be a leak at the pressure line connectors or the valve that appears at extreme cold. If it was the air bag, I'd expect it to appear at warmer conditions too.

Benzo1999

DB, that sounds logical. I'm going to get under the car & take a peek. I'll keep everyone posted. If it were a bag, it would drop no matter what temp.