Air Suspension Question

[Jrogville]

When I test drove the Model S, the Owner's Rep told me that the Air Suspension could be set to stay at a certain height all the time and only lower above a certain speed, like 55 mph.

I now have my car, but don't see anyway to accomplish the above. Basically, I want the car to stay at the 'Very High' setting anytime the car is moving below 50 mph. I've only had the car for a day, but it seems that I have to keep raising it. There is a setting to lower the car above a speed, but that was set to 100 mph by default, so normal driving should not be causing the car to be lowered. Can anyone give me some insight?

 

[Jason S]

very high is only available below about 5-10mph, high is available above that but I think there is an upper limit (20mph? maybe not, haven't looked into it), normal vs low is the one the slider bar uses.

I don't think it is a good idea to run 'very high' for normal driving. The cornering and emergency handling (swerving) would suck.

The screen updates in near real time, so just set it very high and watch it lower (or have a passenger take notes as it lowers) while you slowly reach speed on a relatively empty road.

Why do you want it set 'very high' when traveling below 50mph?

 

[bishoppeak]

• Very High. When set to Very High, the suspension automatically lowers to High when driving speed reaches 22 mph (35 km/h). • High. When set to High, the suspension automatically lowers to Standard when driving speed reaches 34 mph (55 km/h). • Standard. The Standard setting ensures optimum comfort and handling under all loading conditions. • Low. Lowering the height can make it easier to load or unload cargo and passengers.(Copied from the owners manual)

 

[jerry33]

The way it works is:

1. You can set the speed at which it lowers.
2. You can raise the height for a certain location. If you don't click the X, it will attempt to use the higher setting every time you near that location.
3. The raised setting will lower as soon as you hit one of the speeds vs. height mentioned by Bishoppeak.
4. When approaching a previously set location, if you are going faster than the setting allows, it will not raise.
5. When driving over the set lowering speed, when you reduce the speed it will not raise to standard until you reduce by a certain amount. For example, if you set the speed to 50, it will start to raise at around 30-35.

 

[Jrogville]

Why do you want it set 'very high' when traveling below 50mph?

I find it more comfortable getting in and out. I come from driving a truck-based SUV for 12 years, so sedans are new to me. Also, I don't want to have to worry about scraping the underside from not having enough clearance.

 

[jerry33]

I find it more comfortable getting in and out. I come from driving a truck-based SUV for 12 years, so sedans are new to me. Also, I don't want to have to worry about scraping the underside from not having enough clearance.

Every time you park someplace new, just set to very high. After a couple of weeks, you'll hardly ever have to mess with it. I'm pretty sure that running with the suspension on very high isn't good for the suspension or body--that's why it's limited to 22 mph.

Note that the best way to enter the Model S is to face away from the car and sit down, then swing your legs in. Exiting swing your legs out first.

 

[Jrogville]

Every time you park someplace new, just set to very high. After a couple of weeks, you'll hardly ever have to mess with it. I'm pretty sure that running with the suspension on very high isn't good for the suspension or body--that's why it's limited to 22 mph.

Note that the best way to enter the Model S is to face away from the car and sit down, then swing your legs in. Exiting swing your legs out first.

Thanks, I'll try that. I've been going in right leg first and siding in.

 

[idealsol]

• Very High. When set to Very High, the suspension automatically lowers to High when driving speed reaches 22 mph (35 km/h). • High. When set to High, the suspension automatically lowers to Standard when driving speed reaches 34 mph (55 km/h). • Standard. The Standard setting ensures optimum comfort and handling under all loading conditions. • Low. Lowering the height can make it easier to load or unload cargo and passengers.(Copied from the owners manual)

I have seen that in the manual also, but my car seems to go from very high to high at appx 35mph, and from high to standard at about 44mph.
Not really sure if it matters much, but mine is consistent at the speeds I mention

One thing I have noticed is that when I geofence a location the suspension will rise even when I'm actually driving by that location if I'm going slow enough or stopped at a ight
Not sure how slow you need to be going to activate a geofence, but it seems like pretty slow. I'll have to watch it next time

 

[No2DinosaurFuel]

Sounds like you should've gotten the model x. The model s is like a sport sedan and is a bit difficult to get in as it is quite low. I have been in the model x and it is much easier to get in on the model x. But after a time you will get use to the model s ride height

 

[Dborn]

I came from a Mercedes B class car. It took me 3 months to get used to the S in all ways, such as ride height, turning circle, width entering and exiting etc.
Stick with it, you will get there!!

 

[hmmm]

Note that the best way to enter the Model S is to face away from the car and sit down, then swing your legs in. Exiting swing your legs out first.

That.

 

[JohnnyG]

I have seen that in the manual also, but my car seems to go from very high to high at appx 35mph, and from high to standard at about 44mph.
Not really sure if it matters much, but mine is consistent at the speeds I mention

One thing I have noticed is that when I geofence a location the suspension will rise even when I'm actually driving by that location if I'm going slow enough or stopped at a ight
Not sure how slow you need to be going to activate a geofence, but it seems like pretty slow. I'll have to watch it next time

This is really interesting... I wonder if something has changed with the newest MS? (HW2 change?) All of the MS with SAS that I've driven have acted exactly as stated above (22mph/34mph), but I haven't driven an MS newer than a summer '16 delivery.

 

[Jrogville]

When I want to set a location for the very high setting and touch the geo-locate button, nothing happens (ei highlighting of the button, or check mark) no feedback that's it's been accepted. Is that the way it's supposed to be? I'll touch it several times, but never sure if it actually worked. Also, how large of an area does the setting work for? Will it work for a whole parking lot? Or just the particular parking space you were in?

 

[Dax279]

Does setting the height for longer distances. It cause ineven tire wear ? I recall an x owner here driving a long distance with the low setting and having his very badly worn.

When I saw the pictures, the result was what I would have expected.

 

[idealsol]

When I want to set a location for the very high setting and touch the geo-locate button, nothing happens (ei highlighting of the button, or check mark) no feedback that's it's been accepted. Is that the way it's supposed to be? I'll touch it several times, but never sure if it actually worked. Also, how large of an area does the setting work for? Will it work for a whole parking lot? Or just the particular parking space you were in?

The geofence remains in effect until you reach a speed needed to automatically cause the car to lower to high then standard
I mentioned above earlier in this thread that the threshold speeds that trigger lowering are different for me versus what the manual states. Manual says 22mph to lower to high, then 34mph to lower to standard. I rechecked my car yesterday and it triggers at 35 then 45. My car is a December 2016 build. Not sure if that matters
You should get checkmark based on my experience. I would recommend setting car to very high as you enter an are you want to geofence. Leave the suspension controls on your screen and see what happens as you leave that area. Then reenter that area while on standard and see what happens

 

[jerry33]

Does setting the height for longer distances. It cause ineven tire wear ? I recall an x owner here driving a long distance with the low setting and having his very badly worn.

Doesn't on my S. Have it set to 50 and half of my 84K miles are trips. Tire wear is even. Bad tire wear in a Tesla is usually a combination of toe-out and low inflation. Note that initially the SCs had problems with getting the alignment correct. Some was because the machines had the wrong specs, and some was because they are not alignment specialists. They are much better at it now.

 

[Zaphod]

Does setting the height for longer distances. It cause ineven tire wear ? I recall an x owner here driving a long distance with the low setting and having his very badly worn.

When I saw the pictures, the result was what I would have expected.

The post you mention the owner with the X had it set for "very low" not just low. I'm sure the S and X are slightly different, but regardless, very low setting will most likely create much more camber and cause accelerated inner tire wear.

Also pretty sure they had the 22" wheels and the tires are much softer which will wear out faster as well. Just another factor to consider as it's not just the suspension setting to consider. 19" all-season tires will wear much better as well.

 

[TR5642]

What is DOES do is remember where you put it on 'very high' and unless you opt out, it will do it every time you are in the same place again. It remembers forever. So once you've thought about it once, you're good.

Frankly it's a little too aggressive in it's geo zone for my taste. I have a number of parking lots where I want it very high due to gullies and park blocks and when I drive BY these lots on the street, it raises.

NOTE: I have yet to see it remember a place where I want it to go DOWN to standard. (Trying that to override the above glitch)