[Ftpohyeah]

The manual says to deactivate the air suspension system.
Why does it matter? Or is it for all air suspension systems?

[Auricom]

Originally Posted by Ftpohyeah

The manual says to deactivate the air suspension system.
Why does it matter? Or is it for all air suspension systems?

It's all BMW X vehicles with 2VR, aka 2-axle suspension.

On why does it matter? A couple of examples from the BMW technical training for G05/06 powertrain and chassis:

1. Vehicle Lift Mode
2VR is equipped with a vehicle lift detection system. This locks control action of the air suspension when the vehicle is lifted in the workshop or using a jack.

2. Workshop Mode
Workshop mode is required for when performing a wheel alignment in order to prevent adjustments by the air suspension.

3. Tire Load Removal Function
When a flat tire is detected, the DSC control unit transfers this information to the EHC (electronic height) control unit. The EHC control unit then attempts to relieve the load on the relevant wheel with the flat tire. For example if the left rear tire is flat, it will reduce the load on the left rear tire by -20mm and increase load on the right rear. This results in a 40mm differential level at the rear axle.

When a tire load removal function is active, the vehicle is always at the normal level. If this is not selected when the tire goes flat, it is automatically set. When the tire unloading function is active, the driver is locked out of manually adjusting the air suspension level.

Usually you can get out of modes 1 and 2 by driving speed higher than 6 km/h (4 mph)

All in all it's to prevent you getting locked out from being able to adjust the air suspension after being worked on and also prevent the air suspension system from overheating in continually trying to level adjust.

Otherwise, changing a flat tire with spare or swapping out the same size wheel with a new shouldn't be a big deal. The system should adjust and you'll be fine.

[Ftpohyeah]

Very knowledgeable information!

[R34L15T]

I have air suspension and for some reason i cannot get it to activate/deactivate

[simplemind]

Try changing drive modes, like put it in SPORT and see if it lowers.

[R34L15T]

Lowering etc no issue. But for some reason when i toggle the up/down button for 7 seconds it doesn't switch off or anything.

[ofer1353]

You have to hold it down (either way) for the full 7 seconds. I had the same problem but followed this YouTube video. As I understand it you can do significant damage if you don’t lock it out before raising as the suspension requires lock-out mode.

[R34L15T]

I can swear i did everything he did in the video before!

Oh well all worked now. Maybe i had to be in P 🤷🏻*♂️

[mobilejo]

Originally Posted by R34L15T

I can swear i did everything he did in the video before!

Oh well all worked now. Maybe i had to be in P 🤷🏻*♂️

I think it does have to be in P to lock.

I used to think it didn't work but I realised it won't lock if you hold it for too short or too long a time. I guess you have a window of about 7-8 seconds. I was trying to be smart and holding it for 10+ seconds to be sure, and it wouldn't work

[R34L15T]

Yeah i think i might have been doing it the same way.

I was holding it till i thought it would flick off itself, but obviously has to be 7 seconds.

So when you do this i assume it doesn't allow the suspension to pump air into it to raise it/lower it. It stays still when changing a tyre?

[X5M50D]

I changed from summers to winters - wheel at a time without deactivating the air suspension, and all seemed fine. My dealership technical guy confirmed this would be ok.

[mobilejo]

Originally Posted by R34L15T

Yeah i think i might have been doing it the same way.

I was holding it till i thought it would flick off itself, but obviously has to be 7 seconds.

So when you do this i assume it doesn't allow the suspension to pump air into it to raise it/lower it. It stays still when changing a tyre?

Correct. I've forgotten in the past and jacked it up without deactivating, and it's been fine. But as it only takes a few seconds to deactivate, I say better safe than sorry.