Ride Control Switch Ineffective
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Ride Control Switch Ineffective
I've seen posts recently discussing the Ride Control. Some members say the difference is noticeable when you select performance.
I have it on my 02 and I just don't see any difference between the 3 settings. I have no codes suggesting it's not working.
I have the older dampers with the solid outer sleeves (F45??). I've checked and there's no sign of any stuffers still in place.
Is there any check I can do or is it just a novelty feature on 02s and earlier?
I have it on my 02 and I just don't see any difference between the 3 settings. I have no codes suggesting it's not working.
I have the older dampers with the solid outer sleeves (F45??). I've checked and there's no sign of any stuffers still in place.
Is there any check I can do or is it just a novelty feature on 02s and earlier?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 408
Likes: 4
From: Quad Cities IL/IA
I agree, I don't notice much of a difference with mine either.
I think it's partly due to the stiffness of the runflats masking any benefit you'd feel in the F45. Also, I think I've read that you don't really notice the difference unless you do Auto-X type driving and cornering.
My setting on touring is hardly what I would call "touring".
I think it's partly due to the stiffness of the runflats masking any benefit you'd feel in the F45. Also, I think I've read that you don't really notice the difference unless you do Auto-X type driving and cornering.
My setting on touring is hardly what I would call "touring".
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Greenville NC
When I test drove one with the dampening control, I couldn't tell the difference either. Maybe in the mountains on winding roads, but not in the burbs or city. I decided it wasn't worth the cost.
It probably is working as designed.
It probably is working as designed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 5
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
When the Beach Boys were mixing some of their songs in the studio, they finally got fed up with the meddling of their father/manager, Murray, who was always screwing with the sound mix, so they gave him is own box with ***** to twist and turn to his heart's desire -- that connected to nothing.
Sometimes I feel like that's what the damping switch on my C5 does.
I think I read in the manual, though, that the only real benefit for taking it off touring comes into play at higher rates of speed, like 80+ or something).
The only reason I know mine works (albeit subtley) is because the CD player would skip with it on anything but touring mode on a particular stretch of road.
Sometimes I feel like that's what the damping switch on my C5 does.
I think I read in the manual, though, that the only real benefit for taking it off touring comes into play at higher rates of speed, like 80+ or something).
The only reason I know mine works (albeit subtley) is because the CD player would skip with it on anything but touring mode on a particular stretch of road.
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Originally Posted by JMc
When the Beach Boys were mixing some of their songs in the studio, they finally got fed up with the meddling of their father/manager, Murray, who was always screwing with the sound mix, so they gave him is own box with ***** to twist and turn to his heart's desire -- that connected to nothing.
Sometimes I feel like that's what the damping switch on my C5 does.
I think I read in the manual, though, that the only real benefit for taking it off touring comes into play at higher rates of speed, like 80+ or something).
The only reason I know mine works (albeit subtley) is because the CD player would skip with it on anything but touring mode on a particular stretch of road.
Sometimes I feel like that's what the damping switch on my C5 does.
I think I read in the manual, though, that the only real benefit for taking it off touring comes into play at higher rates of speed, like 80+ or something).
The only reason I know mine works (albeit subtley) is because the CD player would skip with it on anything but touring mode on a particular stretch of road.
Sounds like the ride control is a very subtle capability!
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,706
Likes: 5
From: Toronto Ontario
Originally Posted by brucksch
I don't know where you get three settings? I have two settings and I can tell a difference on the highway. It's not a large difference but it there.
97-02 - F45 (3 settings: tour/sport/performance)
03-04 - F55 (2 settings: tour/sport)
You have the F55 Magnetic Select Ride Control.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,454
Likes: 3
From: Hells Sister City Phoenix AZ
St. Jude Donor '03
It is definitely subtle during normal driving but going through the parking garage at work with all the speed bumps I can definitely tell the difference. Find a garage with speed bumps and you'll see the difference even at slow speed. BTW, mine is an 02 with three settings.
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Originally Posted by eddie44
It is definitely subtle during normal driving but going through the parking garage at work with all the speed bumps I can definitely tell the difference. Find a garage with speed bumps and you'll see the difference even at slow speed. BTW, mine is an 02 with three settings.
Life Time NCM #2196
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 82,586
Likes: 1,698
From: Converse TX
After lowering my coupe I really can tell the difference in the ride and have to keep it in performance mode unless on the highway so I will not drag so much and being low is great
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,338
Likes: 66
From: Whittier California
I have a 98 coupe with the real time damping (f45) and I can tell the difference between all three settings. My vette has 65,000 miles on it. Try driving on a rough stretch of highway and change the settings occasionally and you should feel a difference. Hope this helps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 5
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
Originally Posted by vertc51116
So does anyone know the real difference in the 3/2 settings??
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Originally Posted by RiceEater Z06
Youre not going to feel much if any diff driving to the grocery store. Its for performance driving (i.e hard cornering)
Nil, nada, zilch.
