Self Leveling

[billybovine]

Your comment "On the base 2018 RT you have to manually add or release air through the valve under the seat" may not be totally accurate. I have a 2018 RTL and it does have a shredder valve under the seat. Does that mean that even with the RTL automatic air adjustment, you can still add/remove air from the bag? I'm just curious..

I am not sure what your asking. Let's try this. My 2018 F3L has a schrader valve too. Adding or releasing air manually will do really nothing. It will just add or release air to the correct the ride height. The next time the engine is running and in gear.

The Base model RT has no built in compressor to add air or an electrically controlled valve to release air. So if you pick up a passenger. You should go to the gas station and add air. Drop off the passenger and let air out. In reality that's not going to happen. So you compromise and put in the correct amount of air that will suit most of the time.

 

[woods]

I have an 18 RTL and tho the "ride hieght" may be automatic adding air to the valve stiffens the ride noticeably. If you are bottoming out on bumps add air pressure.I equate this valve with turning a standard shock up or down a notch. Be careful adding air,it doesn't take much to increase pressure quite a bit.A couple bumps of the chuck does it.

 

[Wahrsuul]

On the 2014-2017 RTS/RTL, it has the Auto Level and the soft/hard switch for the suspension. How much of a difference does that make? I haven't had a lot of time to test it.

 

[Bigmo]

I am not sure what your asking. Let's try this. My 2018 F3L has a schrader valve too. Adding or releasing air manually will do really nothing. It will just add or release air to the correct the ride height. The next time the engine is running and in gear.

The Base model RT has no built in compressor to add air or an electrically controlled valve to release air. So if you pick up a passenger. You should go to the gas station and add air. Drop off the passenger and let air out. In reality that's not going to happen. So you compromise and put in the correct amount of air that will suit most of the time.

So, if adding air manually, what is the maximum pressure you can/should have on the air bag? To know that may be helpful.

 

[billybovine]

So, if adding air manually, what is the maximum pressure you can/should have on the air bag? To know that may be helpful.

Fully explained on page 48 and 49 of your owners manual.

 

[Bigmo]

Fully explained on page 48 and 49 of your owners manual.

Thanks for your answer. Very helpful. As most of the time on this board. I found my answer on page 593 out of my electronic owners manual of 1078 pages. Max PSI 100lbs.....

 

[billybovine]

I have an 18 RTL and tho the "ride hieght" may be automatic adding air to the valve stiffens the ride noticeably. If you are bottoming out on bumps add air pressure.I equate this valve with turning a standard shock up or down a notch. Be careful adding air,it doesn't take much to increase pressure quite a bit.A couple bumps of the chuck does it.

Get your Spyder fixed before the warranty runs out.

 

[woods]

Now I'm curious,does an RT limited have the auto suspension in rear or is it an option? Don't believe I've ever heard a compressor run or air released...

 

[SuperG]

I believe is standard equipment on a RT limited, but not on the no-frills RT.

 

[ricford]

I have the vanilla 14 RT. And manual fill is with an air compressor. The info is on pages 57 and 58 in MY book. The bladder in my ride leaks down. Not superfast but it does leak down. I took it to the shop and the answer I got was, there is no leak, all is well. I find it humorous that after a few months, I check the air and pump it up. I read in the manual about a Bar Graph near the fill valve but I've never seen it. I'll look today. And yes, the forum is the source I go to first for info. Thanks for whoever hosts the forum.

 

[johnsimion]

This is especially true if the bottom just barely drags when going up a loading ramp.......and putting it at the highest setting gets it to clear.

New isn't always better.

There are a LOT of things I hate about the '18 model year changes and I will NEVER have one.....never, ever.

Or, as I found out (see my own thread) you lowered the air pressure for a softer ride and didn't realize that this also lowered the ride height ... causing your Spyder to scrape on your trailer and damage it.

 

[DGoebel]

Now I'm curious,does an RT limited have the auto suspension in rear or is it an option? Don't believe I've ever heard a compressor run or air released...

18 RT Limited do have "AUTOMATIC" Air ride leveling, older models with ACS have Driver adjustable from a switch aft of the steering column with a display (bar graph) on the digital dashboard when activated/adjusted, 18's don't show this visibly. Some RT models don't have the switch, they just have the air valve under the seat.

Since '18's and later RT Limited have the Automatic air ride leveling, (Highlighted as a KEY Feature on '18 RT Limiteds as "Automatic Self-leveling Rear Air Suspension" it's doubtful the rider could hear the compressor making any adjustment as it would only adjust while riding after significant weight change since it last adjusted for the sensed fore/aft weight balance (or ride angle as determined by the Ride Height sensor that moves with the swing arm).

 

[Wahrsuul]

From reading the manual on my '14, the RT-S has the auto level as well - the dash button is for controlling the firmness of the ride. it is a little confusing, but between the spec sheets and manual, that's the way I read it. The '18+ eliminated the dash button. Honestly, I've played with it a bit while riding, and I don't notice a big difference. Since it's onoly controlling the rear air bag, it doesn't seem to be much of a use for it.

 

[Highwayman2013]

Actually the OP was just asking about the RTL's system and he did read his manual but was confused by it. No one knows everything and that is why they ask questions.