Damping System

Introduction

Adaptive Damping System
Description
The Adaptive Damping System available as an option, matches damping effect with vehicle driving forces, to provide optimum ride and handling performance.The system which is completely automatic and requires no drive input, comprises the following components:
Four adaptive damping units installed in the normal shock absorber positions. These are identified by a harness connector incorporated in the top of each unit.
An Adaptive Damping Control Module (ADCM) installed in the trunk adjacent to the battery.
Two vertical movement sensors (accelerometers), one installed on the bulkhead below the air conditioning unit, the other in the trunk below the fuel tank.
A lateral movement sensor (accelerometer) installed within the RH side false bulkhead.

Operation
The four adaptive damping units are simultaneously switched to either firm or soft setting to suit circumstances. When the vehicle is stationary, the system adopts the firm setting to minimize vehicle pitch during initial acceleration. From 8 km/h (5 mph) upwards, the system reverts to the soft setting until otherwise switched by the ADCM.
On detecting cornering forces, the lateral sensor transits signals to the ADCM, which in turn switches the damping units to the firm setting, reducing vehicle roll-rate and improving wheel control.
On detection of a bump or depression in the road, the vertical sensors transmit signals to the ADCM, which in turn switches the damping units to the firm setting to minimize vehicle body movement.
Under braking conditions, the ADCM, on receipt of a signal, commences calculation of vehicle deceleration. When deceleration exceeds a predetermined threshold, the ADCM switches the damping units to the firm setting, reducing vehicle pitch rate and improving wheel control.
Following completion of a cornering manoeuvre, negotiation of road surface undulations, or heavy braking, that has necessitated switching to the firm setting, the ADCM always returns the damping units to the soft setting.
In the event of failure of the Adaptive Damping System, the damping units automatically revert to the Firm setting, ensuring that the vehicle remains safe to drive under all circumstances. The driver will be alerted to such a failure by illumination of a "SUSPENSION FAULT" warning on the fascia message center and the amber warning light in the instrument cluster.