buttons AUDI A6 ALLROAD 1999 C5 / 2.G Pneumatic Suspension System

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Operation and display
Operation
The self-levelling control unit E281 is used to
control the 4-level air suspension and the
display/monitor the system status.
Certain level changes occur automatically
during normal driving (see Control strategy).
Within defined conditions (see Control
strategy) the driver can use the “raise” or
“lower” buttons to select an appropriate level
at any time. Pressing the “raise” button once selects the
next highest level. By pressing the button
repeatedly, it is possible to change, e.g.
directly from low level to high level 1. High
level 2 cannot be selected until high level 1
has already been set.
Changing to a lower level is performed in the
same manner as described above using the
“lower” button. By pressing several times (x3)
it is possible to shift directly from high level 2
to the low level.
Operating unit for self-levelling E281
241_062
It is possible to switch to a higher level
only when the engine is running or
when sufficient pressure is present in
the pressure accumulator.
It is possible to change to a lower level even
when the engine is switched off.

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Operation and display
If the actual level deviates greatly from the
reference level, this is indicated to the driver
with flashing LEDs (according to a level
change).
Significant deviations are:
– at least one axle level is below the next
level down.
– both axle levels are above the next level up.
Display
The four LEDs which are arranged one on top
of the other in the display zone illuminate
continuously to indicate the current level
status.
Only the control procedure which has been
triggered by a level change (whether
automatically or manually) is indicated by one
or several flashing LEDs. Once the target level
has been reached, the flashing changes to
continuous illumination.
The LEDs in the “raise” and “lower” buttons
indicate actuation and the control direction. If
the LED flashes, a level request has been
denied (e.g. if the driving speed is too high)
243_020
Lower button Raise button ESP button
Manual mode display
Display zone with 4 level-indicating LEDs Actuation/control direction display Actuation/control direction display

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243_022
243_023
243_024
243_025
Other button functions
Automatic switching
The so-called “manual mode” can be
switched on or off by pressing the “raise” or
“lower” button for at least 3 sec. The yellow
LED marked “man” indicates to the driver that
the vehicle is in manual mode.
The automatic “parking level control” and
“motorway mode” functions are deactivated
in manual mode.
Switching off control system
The control system is switched on or off by
pressing both level buttons for longer than
5 seconds.
When the control system is switched off, the
LEDs in the operating unit for manual mode,
both level buttons and the warning lamp K134
are illuminated.
The level-indicating LEDs show the level set.
The corresponding LED is continuously
illuminated.
A control system that has been switched off
will be automatically switched back on again
when the driving speed exceeds approx.
10 km/h (unless the lifting platform mode is
recognised).
The control system can also be switched off
using the diagnostic testers (see Workshop
Manual).
It is often advisable to switch off the
system during repair work (e.g. during
axle measurement or if the pressure
lines have been detached) in order to
prevent the compressor from running
unnecessarily.
Display example: Manual mode and NL
Display example: Raising from LL to HL1
Display example: Raising from HL1 to HL2
Display example: Lowering from NL to LL

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If the vehicle is at high level 2, it will lower
automatically to high level 1 at a speed of
> 35 km/h. The system will respond to a
request to shift to high level 2 only up to a
speed of < 30 km/h.
At a speed of > 80 km/h in high level 1, the
system will automatically lower the vehicle to
normal level.. The system will respond to a
(manual) request to shift to high level 1 only
up to a speed of < 75 km/h.
During driving operation, no automatic
raising to high level 1 or 2 is performed. It
must be selected manually by the driver.
The parking level is an exception. In this
mode the vehicle automatically rises to high
level 1 once it has been parked and locked
(see parking level control). There are two control units currently in use,
depending on the country.
The control strategies described below relate
to the control unit 4Z7 907
553A.
The differences in control units with part
numbers 4Z7 907
553B
are described
subsequently.
See also page 34, “Self-levelling control unit
J197”.
Control strategies
4Z7 907 553A
Automatic lowering
As mentioned previously, the driver can select
the appropriate level by actuating the “raise”
or “lower” buttons.
The following preconditions relating to
driving speed apply for high level 1 and high
level 2.
Control strategies
0 35 80 120
0
5 35 70 120

Automatic lowering
Lowering processes
after 30 seconds
after 30 seconds
Raising processes
after 120 seconds
Raising to parking level
Immediate raising Speed km/h
Speed km/h
243_026
LL NL HL1HL2
LL NL HL1HL2