LS430 air suspension - Techstream

[jeremy156]

When I connect Techstream and look at live data for the Air Suspension module, I am particularly curious about the Max Damper Step values. They appear to be fixed at 17, with the struts being at their firmest (17) when the car is stationary or slow moving - and only beginning to "loosen" off once there's a bit of speed. That means the ride is *deliberately* firm at slow speed... whereas I'd love to feel a cossetting boaty feel at slow speed.

I can manually set a single damper to any value, even 1 (floaty), for testing, but I'm not sure there's a way to encourage softer damping overall.

A favour to ask anyone with Techstream and an air-equipped LS430... with your suspension switch in "normal/sport", is there any difference to the Max Damper Step setting on your car? Is it always 17? If so, why is it even mentioned in live data? If there's a way of configuring it to a lower maximum, then I feel the car would avoid the "stiff knees" feeling at low speed and make life a little softer around car parks, etc.

[carlosr]

I happened to check my techstream today and noticed the same thing. I believe it the damper is set to stiff for safety ( in case of being rear ended).

I noticed on my car that the damper never goes below 5. Do you see damper settings of 1 during cruising?

In sports setting, the the dampers are set to 11 with some 9's from time to time. 

whenever you have DTC's, you will have 17 as default.

thank you.

 

[jeremy156]

It seems we see the same - never below 5 - so it's good to know that's normal.

Just a pity at low speed (e.g. car park) not to have cushioned ride.  Oh well, designers knew more than we do 🙂

 

[The-Acre]

1 hour ago, jeremy156 said:

It seems we see the same - never below 5 - so it's good to know that's normal.

Just a pity at low speed (e.g. car park) not to have cushioned ride.  Oh well, designers knew more than we do 🙂

 

When I first tried an LS430 some years ago I found the low speed ride to be fairly hard, especially coming from an LS400 which was better. I did get used to it but understand your thoughts entirely.

[BigBoomer]

I believe the air suspension deliberately firms up at slower speeds. I believe it also firms up if you start chucking it around.
It's never rough but that suits me as I hate floaty wallowy suspension and do enjoy the occasional backroad hoon. 

My Dad had a 1972 Plymouth Fury 3 and that would stop wallowing about 30 secs after you hit the brakes.
Awful car with it's own post code and parking for 2 Minis on "hood" and "trunk". 🤣

[carlosr]

7 hours ago, jeremy156 said:

It seems we see the same - never below 5 - so it's good to know that's normal.

Just a pity at low speed (e.g. car park) not to have cushioned ride.  Oh well, designers knew more than we do 🙂

Thanks for the swift reply Jeremy. I am somewhat puzzled of when the car would ever see the "1" floaty feeling. Has anybody else confirmed their own readings. 

I was thinking my g sensors were "off" thus not allowing the boaty suspension to be used. 

Thanks for all the replies.

[carlosr]

bump

[steve2006]

Sorry I can’t help, mine is converted to coil overs so nothing to compare on Techstream apart from stored DTCs for the missing air suspension.

[jeremy156]

How would you describe your ride since converting to coils - comparable? Squishy?

[cruisermark]

4 hours ago, jeremy156 said:

How would you describe your ride since converting to coils - comparable? Squishy?

there is a topic here: 

also steve bought the car already converted so maybe he doesn't know what air suspension feels like.

He bought his car from a member here phil (The Acre) - phil has written it all up here but i cannot find it