What is the purpose of the suspension switch in 560SEL?
 

The car is 560SEL 1989 quad hydraulic suspension. There is a switch with a suspension picture with two arrows. I search the Internet for its picture but didn't find. Can anyone tell me the purpose of it?

Thank you : ))..

I'd like to see a picture of this swich...never even heard one like it described before.

I have a switch like that on my SL. With the switch on (the red light lit), you get a firmer ride. I leave it on always because I like how it handles that way. I haven't figured out how it makes a firmer ride yet, but I think the back shocks fill up a bit more or the front drops a bit.

I have no useful input but can't help wondering what happens when you switch it back and forth and back and forth in rapid succession.....does it hop up and down or something...

If I do it quick enough, and time it just right, I can bounce her better than an L.A. Low Rider. Measured at 6 foot 2 inches, bouncing off the back bumper!:D :D :D :D


Seriously, when the switch is turned on, sitting in the driver's seat, I can slowly feel my own position in relation to the ground change very slowly and very slightly. Doesn't move much, but I am sure it does.

This is a feature not available in USA, so little help will come from here.

USA cars had only rear hydropneumatic suspension, no switches.

Thank you guys : ))..

I will try to snap a photo of it soon.

The 560SEL (also the 420SEL and the 500SEL) could be ordered with what M.B. called the "Hydro-pneumatic suspension with automatic lowering system".

The buyer had to specify code No. 215 on the Optional List and add a premium of DM 3,830.00 over the standard price in the case of the 560SEL (the option costed more for the 420 and the 500).

The system, revolutionary at the time, provided the following features:

> Automatic self-levelling at BOTH axles (front and rear)

> Better controlled handling through its hydro-pneumatic shocks.

> Automatic lowering of both axles at speeds exceeding 110 K.P.H. (to achieve a better wind resistance value). Once the car was lowered after exceeding 110 K.P.H., it would not raise back to its standard height until the speed dropped below 70 K.P.H. (this to mantain constant lowered height at autobahn speeds even if the driver had to lower its speed momentarily). Hence the "automatic lowering system" description at the option list.

Finally, what is the switch in the central panel for?

Well, for manual ride adjustment. But unlike the automatic ride adjustment done at high speeds, when the switch is pressed, it will RISE the car 40 m.m. (or 4 centimeters) on both axles (front and rear). This feature on the owner manual is explained as a convenience feature in case the driver had to pass a bad or unpaved road or a high angle garage entrance. That is why the switch has "arrows" on it, unlike the new airmatic systems which have a "strut" picture on their switches, which signifies that the system would turn into "sport mode" when the switch is pressed.

Be advised that when the switch is pressed on your 560SEL, you will hardly see the car raise or lower, since unlike the new airmatic suspension fitted to new models, the change in height is done very very very slowly. Also, the automatic lowering at high speeds is almost impossible to detect.

Hope the info helped.

Learn something new everyday!

Mr. A. Rosich,

I'm really so thankful to you for all this information. : ))..

You are certainly very welcome.

Any more info you need about your 560SEL, let me know. I have all the original factory brochures on the car for every year of production, including the official option lists, color charts, seat upholstery options and even special equipment catalogs.