Checking Ride Control
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 69
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From: Tillsonburg Ontario
Checking Ride Control
I have a 2001 Coupe and am wondering Is there anyway to see if the ride control is working on a C5? I have tried all 3 settings and I can't tell any difference in the Ride. Is there any computer diagnostics available to check the system out?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
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What kind of tires are you running? Goodyear runflats are hard and make all settings seem the same. Hard. Michelin AS/ZPs are run-flats but softer and you can feel the differences in the settings better. Non-runflats are even better yet. Until you have a flat.
Remember you are just changing the shock settings not the springs.
TOUR can be kind of wallowy above 40mph but is great for bumpy in-town roads.
SPORT is firm - as a Corvette should be. I leave it in this setting except when the bumps get to me.
PERF is HARD as a race car. Better be on a smooth surface like the parkway or turnpike and it better be summer. It's like it has no suspension at all.
Another way to reset the system is to disconnect the battery for a few minutes. Everything electrical in the car resets to initial factory settings including the suspension. (be sure you have the radio's anti-theft code) After everything quiets down take it out for a ride on different surfaces at different speeds.
Remember you are just changing the shock settings not the springs.
TOUR can be kind of wallowy above 40mph but is great for bumpy in-town roads.
SPORT is firm - as a Corvette should be. I leave it in this setting except when the bumps get to me.
PERF is HARD as a race car. Better be on a smooth surface like the parkway or turnpike and it better be summer. It's like it has no suspension at all.
Another way to reset the system is to disconnect the battery for a few minutes. Everything electrical in the car resets to initial factory settings including the suspension. (be sure you have the radio's anti-theft code) After everything quiets down take it out for a ride on different surfaces at different speeds.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Horseshoe Bend ID
Okay, so do a visual inspection of the shocks. If they have wires coming out of them then they are probably OEM F55s which may have failed (check for oil leaks). If they say "Bilstein" or some other brand without wires, then the PO has deleted the system with a Tech-2.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: West Virginia
Personally, I have always like "tour" on the freeway as it really is comfortable for long runs.
Last edited by jackthelad; Sep 2, 2020 at 02:39 PM.
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Dan
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: West Virginia
When people say they can't feel any difference between settings I always wonder if the switch itself is bad. If everything is working there should be a noticeable difference between modes. The switch is $109 dollars or something like that. Do you know anyone with the same setup that you could swap switches with?
Dan
Dan
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From: Lynnwood. Edmonds, WA
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I'm 3rd owner and one of the :PO's lowered all 4 corners to the bottom of the stock bolts but I feel very little difference in the 3 settings. Wondering if that happened when it was lowered. I'm betting it is.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: West Virginia
Mine is lowered all the way on stock bolts. Has been for about 10 years now - no effect at all on how the shocks "feel".
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