Do I have airmatic issues?
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Super Member
Joined: May 2008
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15' W222
Do I have airmatic issues?
After reading a thread about airmatic issues someone pointed out if your car raises up at start that it's a symptom of airmatic issues.
When I park my car, I can hear air releasing from somewhere, and when I start my car it raises up about 3/4 to 1 inch. There were no visible cracks on the strut towers. Is there something else I should be looking for? Does anyone else's car do this?
When I park my car, I can hear air releasing from somewhere, and when I start my car it raises up about 3/4 to 1 inch. There were no visible cracks on the strut towers. Is there something else I should be looking for? Does anyone else's car do this?
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From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
My car does release air, but it doesn't lower itself by a noticeable amount. I feel that an inch of movement is far too much. The only time my car noticeably rises is when I start it after having it up on jackstands or when i hit the airmatic raise button.
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Carolinas
2003 S500 4MATIC
I believe S classes all rise once started after a prolonged period of rest. If you get in your car, leave the driver door open and keep one foot (left foot) on the ground you should find that your vehicle will rise ever so slightly without depressing the airmatic raise button right after you start the vehicle. This should take only a few seconds but it is very easy to feel with the above procedure. The car will rise further if you press the airmatic button after the vehicle has been started. I also believe the 'air release' sound you hear when the car is turned off is also the system acting normally. I believe the airmatic system is a pressurized system that only needs to be pressurized during operation of the vehicle and not when the vehicle is turned off and that is why you get this type of behavior from your car.
Last edited by comforta; Jul 16, 2009 at 09:48 AM.
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04 S430 (sold),05 X5 4.4i, 02 325i, 87 560SL, 85 Alfa Romeo
It's normal.. it's called rest mode or something like that.. That feature was better refined on the facelift moels.. but its perfectly normal as long as it doesn;t slam when you park it.
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: SC
SL500
Yeah that release is normal, and It should go down maybe half an inch, but it shouldn't be slamming down. I think your fine for right now, unless you notice the pump running for long periods of time.
Also I think in a previous post you stated u ride with the raised position button depressed. If thats the case it will definitely lower when you cut the car off and lock the door. Even though you can drive like that, its not normal driving height. The system is just removing the added pressure required to raise your car during normal driving.
Also I think in a previous post you stated u ride with the raised position button depressed. If thats the case it will definitely lower when you cut the car off and lock the door. Even though you can drive like that, its not normal driving height. The system is just removing the added pressure required to raise your car during normal driving.
Last edited by Benz5656; Jul 16, 2009 at 11:57 AM.
