aie suspension

[Klaus]

Bucks, this is from the 2003 Owner's Manual:

Electronically Controlled Air
Suspension System (If Equipped)

The electronically controlled air suspension keeps the
rear of your vehicle level as you load and unload it.
The system includes a compressor, two height sensors
and two air springs supporting the rear axle.
The engine must be running for the system to
operate and level the vehicle after loading or unloading.
The system will suspend leveling if any of the doors
or the liftgate are open. Once the doors are closed,
system leveling will continue. The system can lower
the vehicle to the standard ride height with the engine
running and for up to 30 minutes after the ignition has
been turned off.
You may hear the compressor running when you load
your vehicle, and periodically as the system adjusts the
vehicle to the standard ride height.
Load leveling will not function normally with the
inflator hose attached to the inflator outlet. Remove
the inflator hose from the outlet when it is not in use.

Overload and Overheat Protection

Overload protection is designed to protect the air
suspension system and is an indication to the driver
that the vehicle is overloaded.
If the rear suspension remains at a low height, the rear
axle load has exceeded GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating). When the overload protection mode is
activated, the compressor operates for about 30 seconds
to one minute without raising the vehicle depending on
the amount of overload. This will continue each time the
ignition is turned on until the rear axle load is reduced
below GAWR. See “GAWR” in the Index.
If the system overheats, it will shut down and stop all
leveling functions until the system cools down. During
this time the SERVICE AIR SUSPENSION message
will appear in the DIC. See “Driver Information Center”
in the Index for more information.

Selectable Extended Rear Ride
Height (If Equipped)

This feature comes as part of the electronically
controlled air suspension system.
The selectable rear ride height allows you to raise the
rear of the vehicle approximately 2 inches (5 cm) over
the normal ride height. This can be helpful when driving
off-road where you may need more ground clearance to
clear an obstacle.
The button that controls this
feature is located on the
instrument panel to the right
of the steering wheel.

To use this feature, ensure that the following conditions
are met:


Be sure all the doors are fully closed. The suspension
will not raise or lower if a door is open.

Be sure the vehicle speed is less than 35 mph
(56 km/h). The system will not activate otherwise.
Press the height control button to raise the rear of
the vehicle.
A light in the button will begin to flash as the rear of the
vehicle rises. Once the extended height has been reached
(this may take up to a minute), the warning light will
stop flashing and will stay lit while the vehicle is at the
extended height.

To lower the vehicle to the normal ride height press the
button again. The light in the button will flash as the
suspension lowers. When the light in the button stops
flashing and goes out, the suspension has reached the
normal ride height.
This feature will lower the vehicle to the normal height
if vehicle speed exceeds 20 mph (32 km/h).
You may also want to use this feature when ascending,
descending or cresting a steep hill as this can help
prevent the rear bumper from dragging on the base
of the hill or prevent the vehicle from grounding out
(high centering) on the crest of the hill.
Do not use this feature when towing a trailer.