GL450 Airmatic/Air Suspension Question

[blk_benz]

So I’m recently became a new owner of a 2010 GL450. When I park it I hear a release of air and the suspension like adjust a little. So I have been researching this to see if its normal. I see a lot of threads in regards to the air suspension leak/failure but none of them really answer my question. I believe the air relief is normal from what I read but is it suppose to adjust slightly after parked, it’s very minimal but enough where I can feel it and see it move. When I park it should it remain the height I park it at or is this a sign of a leak?

Thanks in advance.

[nspeed]

My 2007 does that also. I think it is considered fairly normal. Mine also goes up when I load it and down when I unload it.

[a2j]

Our does that also. I can leave it for a week and it would remain the same height. But when I open the back lid, it would go down a little. Even if the vehicle was parked for a while.

[blk_benz]

Originally Posted by a2j

Our does that also. I can leave it for a week and it would remain the same height. But when I open the back lid, it would go down a little. Even if the vehicle was parked for a while.

Thanks guys, I'm going to take it as this is normal for now and just monitor it over time... especially when it gets close to the end of factory warranty.

[alfaromeo3]

it is normal.

[SecureNC]

Hey Guys...

I have a 2007 GL450 and recently the front end started dropping all the way down when parked for at least an hour or so. It never did this before and always stayed at the same height. I would sometimes hear the little air hissing/adjustments but never drop down to the wheels. Once I get in and start the vehicle, it immediatley raises to the proper height. Anyone else experienced this? Is this a leak in the system?

[dcoz]

Yes it's a leak - most likely due to one of the air springs developing a split in the rubber casing. Best to get it fixed asap so you minimize the damage being done to the compressor running all the time to keep the bad spring pumped up. Lots of stories in this forum about how the compressor needed to be replaced at the same time as the bad springs because it wore out keeping a bad spring inflated.

If you want to do it yourself, look up Arnotts - they have replacement parts for way less than MB. You can reasonably assume that all 4 springs are close to failing and should do them all at once.

[SecureNC]

Weird thing is... I'm not so sure it is an actual leak!

It is totally random. Sometimes I can park my GL450 for a couple days before driving again and the air suspension works properly keeping the vehicle at the proper height. Then, on other days, I can park it for a couple of hours and the front end will drop down to the wheels.

It's almost like an electrical issue with a switch saying to lower the front sometimes and then other times it doesn't.

Anyone else with similar problems, please advise!

thx, Mike

[mepragma]

I was recently driving my GL450 at about 40mph somehow i mistakenly bumped the paddle on the right-back-side of the steering wheel....u can hear the poor engine screamed and nose dived...the transmission had shifted to gear one from probably seven... This is obviously not good for the engine. My immediate concern is that what if driving at about 70mph and this unintended mistake happened, this can result to a fatal damage to the transmission...

Does anyone one know what can be done to disable the paddle especially during highway travels or am I just overreacting?

[dcoz]

does it drop at both corners in the front or just one?