L322 Range Rover System Description and Operation
SUSPENSION
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
60-21
Next to the rotary control switch are mounted a series of four LED's. An illuminated LED indicates which ride height
is active. If a new ride height is selected using the rotary control switch, the 'current' height LED remains illuminated
and the 'requested' height LED flashes until the vehicle achieves the new ride height. If a new ride height is selected
using the rotary control switch and the 'current' height LED flashes briefly, this indicates that the ride height selection
is invalid and will not be performed. When the operating parameters are correct for the new ride height, the height
change request must be repeated.
Standard Ride Height
Standard ride height is used during most driving conditions. This setting is used as a datum for the remaining ride
heights, and is defined as 0 mm. All other ride height settings are described as above or below this setting. The
standard ride height can be active at any vehicle speed.
Access or off-road ride height can be selected from standard ride height using the rotary control or the drivers door
access switch.
When the vehicle is in standard ride height, the 'Hold' switch can be selected. This prevents automatic height changes
from taking place and disables manual height changes until the 'Hold' switch is deselected. If a height change is
selected with the hold function active, the standard height LED will flash.
When towing, the electrical connection of the trailer socket will cause the vehicle to set the air suspension to standard
height. No other height setting is available whilst towing.
Off-Road Ride Height
Off-road ride height is the highest of the four settings, and raises the front of the vehicle by 60 mm, and the rear of the
vehicle by 50 mm. Off-road ride height is selected by turning the rotary switch upwards when the vehicle is travelling
at less than 31 mph (50 km/h). The suspension will return to the standard ride height setting if the rotary control switch
is turned downwards, or vehicle speed rises above 31 mph (50 km/h).
If the vehicle is travelling too fast when off-road ride height is selected, the standard road height LED will flash, and
the request will not be carried out. The driver must repeat the off-road ride height request once the vehicle speed is
reduced.
When the vehicle is in the off-road ride height setting, the 'Hold' switch will not be operational. Similarly, if the vehicle
is in the standard ride height setting with 'Hold' selected, the vehicle will not move into the off-road ride height setting
until 'Hold' is deselected.
Motorway Ride Height
Motorway ride height lowers the vehicle by 20 mm, and improves the high speed handling of the vehicle. Motorway
ride height is only active when the vehicle is travelling at more than 62 mph (100 km/h) for more than 30 seconds, and
is not selectable by the driver.
If the vehicle speed falls to below 43 mph (70 km/h) for more than 60 seconds, the ECU automatically returns the
vehicle to the standard ride height setting. If the vehicle stops while the motorway ride height is active, the timer is
paused, stopping the vehicle rising unnecessarily.
Although motorway ride height isn't selectable by the driver, the 'Hold' switch can be used to keep the motorway ride
height active, and prevent the automatic return to the standard ride height. The vehicle will return to the standard ride
height once the 'Hold' switch is deselected (and vehicle speed is less than 43 mph (70 km/h).
Motorway ride height may be deselected by the driver at any speed by turning the rotary control switch upwards. The
vehicle may return to motorway ride height if the vehicle speed remains greater than 62 mph (100 km/h) and the driver
does not select 'Hold' when the vehicle has returned to standard ride height.
If the vehicle speed is within the required parameters, the driver can select access ride height by turning the rotary
control switch downwards or pressing the access switch on the drivers door.
