Airmatic, ADS, tear shocks, airbags?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 280
Likes: 19
GLS450
Airmatic, ADS, tear shocks, airbags?
These may be silly questions but here goes anyway.
I will be checking my rear shocks for oil leakage (thank you very much this forum) but based on how my 2012 GL450 gallops around when I drive over bumps I expect they’re toast.
If I see air bags under there my car has Airmatic, right?
I have been down the Airmatic road before with my ‘07 450 on which I replaced the air pump twice and I installed Arnot struts and airbags on the front. I did this because I had all kinds of leveling issues.
I have no leveling issues with this 2012 so can I safely assume that the Airmatic system is ok and deal with just the rear shocks for now?
What is Automatic Dampening System (ADS)? Is it the same as Airmatic?
When I order rear shocks do I specify ADS? Is there a difference?
Thanks in advance for putting up with questions that may have obvious answers.
I will be checking my rear shocks for oil leakage (thank you very much this forum) but based on how my 2012 GL450 gallops around when I drive over bumps I expect they’re toast.
If I see air bags under there my car has Airmatic, right?
I have been down the Airmatic road before with my ‘07 450 on which I replaced the air pump twice and I installed Arnot struts and airbags on the front. I did this because I had all kinds of leveling issues.
I have no leveling issues with this 2012 so can I safely assume that the Airmatic system is ok and deal with just the rear shocks for now?
What is Automatic Dampening System (ADS)? Is it the same as Airmatic?
When I order rear shocks do I specify ADS? Is there a difference?
Thanks in advance for putting up with questions that may have obvious answers.
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Joined: Nov 2017
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From: Bethesda, MD
2010 Mercedes GL450; 2000 Mercedes ML55 AMG; 2016 VW GLI SEL Stick!!!
These may be silly questions but here goes anyway.
I will be checking my rear shocks for oil leakage (thank you very much this forum) but based on how my 2012 GL450 gallops around when I drive over bumps I expect they’re toast.
If I see air bags under there my car has Airmatic, right?
I have been down the Airmatic road before with my ‘07 450 on which I replaced the air pump twice and I installed Arnot struts and airbags on the front. I did this because I had all kinds of leveling issues.
I have no leveling issues with this 2012 so can I safely assume that the Airmatic system is ok and deal with just the rear shocks for now?
What is Automatic Dampening System (ADS)? Is it the same as Airmatic?
When I order rear shocks do I specify ADS? Is there a difference?
Thanks in advance for putting up with questions that may have obvious answers.
I will be checking my rear shocks for oil leakage (thank you very much this forum) but based on how my 2012 GL450 gallops around when I drive over bumps I expect they’re toast.
If I see air bags under there my car has Airmatic, right?
I have been down the Airmatic road before with my ‘07 450 on which I replaced the air pump twice and I installed Arnot struts and airbags on the front. I did this because I had all kinds of leveling issues.
I have no leveling issues with this 2012 so can I safely assume that the Airmatic system is ok and deal with just the rear shocks for now?
What is Automatic Dampening System (ADS)? Is it the same as Airmatic?
When I order rear shocks do I specify ADS? Is there a difference?
Thanks in advance for putting up with questions that may have obvious answers.
You do have airmatic. Which means front struts with airbags included and seperate rear air bags and rear struts.
Ads is an option that was rare on 450 and standard on 550 models that electronically dampened the road feel to make it feel more comfortable in comfort and sportier in sport.
You'll recognise this option if you have a toggle switch where you can select sport or comfort.
Toherwise, if you don't have that you have the normal airmatic suspension like the rest of us.
You'll have to replace the rear airbags soon, probably in a year or two. And the front airbags too, but those are easier to replace with the whole unit instead of fanagaling the air bag out.
I'd recommend fcp euro for Bilstein struts or arnott for their lifetime warranty.
Rockauto has the rear Bilstein shocks for 135$
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 280
Likes: 19
GLS450
Thanks for the info
Thanks for clearing up Airmatic and ADS for me and for the shock information.
I am very reluctant to mess with the air bags at this time so long as the Airmatic system seems to be working well as I still remember the hassle of dealing with the '07 Airmatic.
I think I saw somewhere that the upper rear shock nuts can be removed without removing most of the rear compartment sides and flooring. Is that true?
I am very reluctant to mess with the air bags at this time so long as the Airmatic system seems to be working well as I still remember the hassle of dealing with the '07 Airmatic.
I think I saw somewhere that the upper rear shock nuts can be removed without removing most of the rear compartment sides and flooring. Is that true?
Last edited by 1xsculler; Mar 15, 2019 at 03:52 AM.
