The Porsche Active Suspension Management, or PASM, was one of the first active chassis systems that Porsche deployed and is still being improved upon today. This blends two chassis into one: a very sporty chassis for the race track and a sporty yet comfortable chassis for extended trips. When the car is driven more energetically, the dampers’ default setting, which is more comfortable, shifts to a sportier mode. This improves comfort, especially on lengthy highway drives, as the PASM greatly outperforms a passive chassis at absorbing mild to moderate road surface imperfections. The sport option, in contrast, activates stiffer damper characteristics that support a more nimble driving style. On the race circuit, achieving quick lap times is made simpler by the reduced body movement of the automobile.
When driving, the PASM reacts instantly to dynamic changes. In the event of sudden steering movements, such as those made unexpectedly to avoid an impediment, the system, for instance, boosts damper force to both axles. This lessens the body’s lateral inclination or instability and makes controlling the vehicle much simpler, especially under difficult circumstances. When operating in normal mode, the damper force is increased whenever the body’s vertical movement exceeds a predetermined threshold, such as when driving over potholes in the road. This effectively stops the vehicle body from becoming unstable. Sport mode, in contrast, marginally lessens the damper force when vehicle body movements increase to enhance wheel-to-road contact. This keeps the automobile from leaping or moving around while also considerably enhancing comfort. When cornering in normal mode, the damper force is set differently for the inner side and outer side of the car based on the vehicle speed and lateral acceleration. In addition to preventing vehicle instability, this greatly improves driving accuracy. When the accelerator pedal is removed, during gear changes, and during hard acceleration, the damper characteristics are independently modified for the front and rear axles.
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What is the function of Porsche active suspension management?
PASM shocks have continuously variable damping rates that respond to the driver’s style and the state of the road. The ECU receives data from sensors at each wheel and uses it to change the fluid level in each shock to firm up or soften it. photo courtesy of P
You’ve decided on the Porsche you want to purchase, but you’re not sure which performance-enhancing features to look for. The fact that many of the most well-liked and practical factory performance modifications, such as ceramic composite brakes, electronic anti-roll bars, and air suspension, are extremely expensive adds to the difficulty of the situation. How can you tell which choices are best for you?
When you arrive at the dealership to take a test drive, be ready: Become informed. Knowing what you need and what you desire depends on your understanding of the functioning of the many optional pieces of equipment. If you are clear on what you need in a Porsche, you can specify the model that best suits your needs while remaining within your price range. To assist you, we’ve compiled a list of the five performance options that we believe offer the best value for the money, along with information on their costs and functions. Keep an eye on Of Note since we’ll be releasing them one at a time over the next few weeks!
PASM is a standard feature on certain of Porsche’s high-performance vehicles, including the Carrera S, Panamera Turbo, and Cayenne Turbo. However, if you have your heart set on a model that doesn’t come with it as standard, think about the electronically controlled suspension.
The PASM shocks have continually variable damping rates that react to driving style and road conditions in addition to lowering cars equipped with them by 10 millimeters. The ECU receives data from sensors at each wheel and uses it to change the fluid level in each shock to firm up or soften it. Depending on the model type and its specification, we often rate Porsche’s PASM suspension on any of its vehicles as outstanding to superb.
By pressing a button, the driver can select from a variety of PASM settings that modify the shocks’ predetermined damping force. For instance, when a 911 is driven in PASM’s Normal mode, the shocks are milder; when Sport is selected, the shocks are firmer for a livelier ride and improved stability.
Porsche does offer Sport PASM on the 911 if you desire an even sportier ride than what regular PASM gives. It sports updated front and rear spoilers, harder anti-roll bars, and shorter, firmer springs that lower the car further 10 millimeters. The Sport PASM bundle also comes with PTV or PTV Plus.
Porsche Adaptive Suspension: What is it?
In order to improve suspension comfort, Porsche offers air suspension as a standard or optional feature on all of its Cayennes, Panameras, and Macans. Porsche has created a brand-new three-chamber air suspension system just for the 2017 Panamera. With its innovative technology, this adaptable air suspension is setting new benchmarks, especially in terms of driving comfort. The new system features three air chambers per spring strut as opposed to the two utilized in the Panamera model’s system, and it also has an air volume that is roughly 60% greater. This makes it possible for the spring rates to have a much wider dispersion. As the spring rate may be electronically altered in a split second when necessary, such as during acceleration and braking or to decrease rolling motion, the chassis can be set to a lower fundamental spring rate for increased comfort. Additionally, the air suspension has the advantages of self-leveling and a range of ground clearance options.
The workings of the active suspension system
The typical components of a car’s suspension system are springs and shock absorbers, which work to protect the car’s chassis and occupants from unexpected vertical wheel assembly displacements when driving. The comfort and security of the car’s occupants as well as the long-term dependability of the mechanical and electronic parts depend on a well-tuned suspension system.
Most vehicles on the road today have passive suspension systems. Coil springs or leaf springs that aid to cushion the chassis from jarring vertical forces applied to the wheels are used to connect the vehicle’s chassis to the axles or wheel assemblies (e.g. due to bumpy roads, pot holes, etc…). The shock absorbers aid in dissipating the energy transferred to the springs and reduce oscillations that would typically happen when a mass-spring system is briefly excited.
In order to keep the chassis level and/or effectively absorb the energy associated with the vertical motion of the wheels, active suspension systems constantly modify the mechanical connections between the chassis and wheel assemblies in response to the forces being applied to the wheels. Additionally, with the development of enhanced computer control, the driver now has a variety of options for adjusting suspension travel and reaction while driving. The “Sport” setting, which produces a more dynamic reaction, is a typical example.
Semi-active suspension systems are those that only allow for the adjustment of the viscous damping coefficient of the shock absorber, not the spring rate. A basic semi-active suspension modifies the shock absorber’s dampening qualities by adjusting the flow of hydraulic fluid through an electrically controlled valve. A more recent invention efficiently alters the viscosity of a shock absorber fluid that contains metallic particles using an electrically generated magnetic field.
“Magic Body Control” is a system that Mercedes-Benz has created. This fully functional device keeps an eye on the forces acting on the vehicle’s suspension system as well as the state of the road ahead. The front of the car has two image sensors that actively monitor the road ahead and set the suspension up in advance to account for unexpected changes in the road surface height.
Has the Porsche Cayenne’s suspension been adjustable?
When the 955 Cayenne was debuted in 2003, it accomplished things that no one thought a 5,000lb vehicle should be able to or should be capable of, making it one of the most adaptable and capable SUVs ever manufactured. The benefits of the air suspension cannot be disputed, even though diagnosing and fixing a Porsche Cayenne air suspension issue can take a little longer and cost more money.
All 955 and 957 Cayenne models had air suspension as an option, while all Turbo and Turbo S models came standard. Four air struts, an air pump, an air tank/accumulator, valves to regulate air pressure to the struts, a computer, and all of that make up the system. Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), the company’s adjustable shock absorber technology, is also available on 955 and 957 Cayennes with air suspension. The dynamic self-leveling air suspension and PASM’s constant cooperation provide the Cayenne with the best handling and grip, regardless of speed or circumstance, on or off-road.
The ride height and shock absorber settings for Porsche Cayenne models 955 and 957 with active air suspension and PASM are located just to the right of the 4WD controls. Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control can also be added on 957 Porsche Cayenne vehicles (PDCC). Sway bars with hydraulic control are included in PDCC, adding even more control and improving on-road performance. Off-road, the PDCC sway bars can automatically separate to provide the suspension more articulation and travel at slower speeds.
Full PDCC is only offered on 957 vehicles, however it is comparable to the unique Off-Road Package option that includes a locking rear differential and active/auto-disconnecting rear sway bar. What symptoms indicate PDCC in a 957 Cayenne? The controls for the 4WD, air suspension, and PASM on a 957 Cayenne with PDCC are entirely silver, as opposed to silver switches and black buttons on non-PDCC vehicles. Since the Cayenne PDCC employs hydraulic fluid and a reservoir with an integrated filter, the reservoir replacement should be carried out as part of the PDCC service every 60,000 miles.
The air suspension on the Cayenne features six preset ride heights that can be chosen from, with an adjustable height range of around 4.5″. At 130 mph or above, the Cayenne moves a full 1.5″ lower than its usual ride height. It also makes modifications based on speed. Additionally, there is a unique off-road mode that gives nearly 11 inches of ground clearance by raising the ride height by 1 inch. According to reports, the Cayenne can cross water that is just under 22″ deep in this harsh setting, which is pretty unheard of for “luxury” SUVs.
Do Porsche Macans require air suspension?
Comfortable suspension and riding But the Macan is hardly a bone-shaker, especially if you stay away from the biggest (21-inch) wheels. The majority of models come with standard steel springs, but for the most comfortable ride, we recommend opting for the air suspension option, which is more expensive on some variants than others.
What distinguishes active suspension from adaptive suspension?
The majority of cars on the road utilize passive suspension systems, which use the vehicle’s body’s springs to absorb shock from uneven pavement and distribute it. In order to maintain the levelness of the vehicle, an active suspension system uses sensors to measure the forces acting on the wheels and the connections between the wheels and the body. The active suspension is therefore always “on.” In contrast to an adaptive suspension, a driver can decide when to adjust the suspension to account for potholes or a bumpy route.