Since 2005, the 911 Carrera S has come equipped as standard with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). The method offers two benefits that frequently seem to be at odds with one another: improved grip and increased comfort.
A PASM damper resembles its conventional sister almost exactly from the outside, with the exception of the control wire attached to the unit’s head. The PASM damper’s secret is hinted at by this control wire.
On a Porsche 911 with PASM, all four dampers are connected to a central control unit. An army of sensors activates when you press the PASM button.
These sensors track variables like suspension bump, body roll, and steering input. The information is relayed back to the control unit together with two accelerometers, where the PASM system decides whether to stay in “Normal” mode or switch to “Sport.”
The dampers become stiffer in “Sport” mode, improving cornering performance by keeping the tyres in touch with the pavement.
A unique bypass channel is used inside the damper body to vary the stiffness of the suspension in order to achieve this modification.
The basic operation of hydraulic dampers is the same: oil is pumped into the damper body and compressed by a piston. The bypass channel of the PASM damper is used to regulate the oil flow.
The channel control valves are open in “Normal” mode, allowing a larger flow of oil and a softer damper as a result. The bypass channel is shut off when the “Sport” mode is engaged. This makes the damper firmer and the Porsche more responsive by increasing the compression required to drive the oil through the damper body.
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Balanced chassis’ active PASM shock-absorber technology serves as its foundation.
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.
The first part of your selections is 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.
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For sports car standards, I personally believe comfort will be the same in comfort mode, but we’ll probably feel the shorter suspensions a touch firmer in sport mode. The future? My main worry is that Quebec’s roadways pale in comparison to those of Ontario. You’re lucky! LOL!
The SPASM’s expanded front spoiler lip, which “sticks out front and even curves a little bit towards the ground,” is another thing that worries me. The FAL (lift) would be required in conjunction with the Sport design front bumper (if selected), in my opinion. Hmm…
What are air suspension and PASM?
You are true that the vehicle’s height may be changed by the air suspension, and the PASM can change how stiff the ride is. Air suspensions are ideal for towing since they automatically level the vehicle’s rear based on the weight of the trailer.
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.
Which Porsche models come standard with air suspension?
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.
What is the Porsche Cayman PASM?
PASM is a suspension system that can be electronically adjusted. It enables a Cayman to instantly adjust to shifting traffic and road conditions. A button on the center console of Caymans with PASM will let the driver to choose between “Normal” and “Sport” modes.