How Do I Lower The Air Suspension In My Mercedes Using OBD2?

To lower a Mercedes with Airmatic air suspension using OBD2, you plug a lowering module into the car's OBD2 port with the ignition on and the engine off, pick Factory, Low (-32 mm) or Custom on the screen, save, unplug the module and switch the ignition off. The car settles at the new ride height the next time you start it, and you can go back to the factory height the same way.

The module works with the Mercedes-Benz active Airmatic suspension (Mercedes describes it as self-leveling air suspension that you can raise for extra ground clearance), which runs together with the adaptive damping system (ADS) and the Dynamic Select drive modes. Because the height is changed in software, the self-leveling and ADS keep working, and there are no springs or links to swap.

TL;DR

• What it is: a plug-and-play module for the OBD2 port that rewrites the Airmatic ride height.
• Settings: Factory, Low (-32 mm, about 1.3 inches) or Custom (you set the front and rear drop).
• How: ignition on, engine off, plug in, choose a setting, save, unplug, ignition off.
• Undo: plug it in again and choose Factory.
• Check first: your car must have Airmatic (look for the button with a car icon and an up arrow).
• If this is not your case, read how to activate CarPlay and Android Auto through OBD2.

Table Of Content

• How does the OBD2 lowering module work?
• How do I lower my Mercedes with the OBD2 module?
• How do I know if my Mercedes has Airmatic?
• Is the OBD2 module better than mechanical lowering?
• What are the advantages of using the OBD2 module?
• Which Mercedes-Benz cars are compatible?
• Is OBD2 lowering worth it?

How Does The OBD2 Lowering Module Work?

The OBD2 module for the Mercedes-Benz Airmatic active suspension is an alternative to the usual way of lowering a car.

The traditional method means several hours and a large bill at a mechanic to physically lower the suspension. The module avoids that.

It plugs into the OBD2 port (the standard diagnostic connector), and you set it up with the steering wheel and the buttons already in the car.

There are three options: Factory, Low and Custom. Because Factory is one of them, going back to stock is quick.

How Do I Lower My Mercedes With The OBD2 Module?

The Airmatic lowering device above connects to the OBD port and shows a menu on your COMAND screen where you lower or restore the ride height.

The menu has two pages:

1. The current setting and the setting you want to use (Factory, Low, or Custom).

2. The ride height for the Custom option (front drop and rear drop).

   

Here's how to use it:

• Turn on the ignition but not the engine.

• Plug the device into the OBD port.

• A menu will show on the screen.

• Choose one of the preset settings or create your own custom setting.

• Save the changes (it takes a few seconds to write them to the car).

• Remove the device.

• Turn off the ignition.

• The car adjusts to the new ride height the next time you start it (even right away).

  

If the car shows a fault after you unplug the module, read the codes with a scanner first; the OBD2 troubleshooting guide explains how.

How Do I Know If My Mercedes Has Airmatic?

The OBD2 module fits a wide range of cars, from the C, S and E classes to the GLE, CLS and GL-class. Before you buy one, make sure your car actually has Airmatic air suspension.

The check is easy: look for a button with a car icon and an upwards arrow. If your car has Airmatic, pressing it shows a message on the display with the details. Your Mercedes-Benz owner's manual also lists the suspension fitted to your model.

Is The OBD2 Module Better Than Mechanical Lowering?

Cost is the first reason to choose the module. Lowering the suspension in software removes the need for mechanical parts and labor charges.

You can do the whole set-up on your own drive instead of booking the car into a workshop and waiting. You also keep using the Airmatic system that came with the car.

Mechanical lowering has traditionally been the most popular way to lower a car. The module approach is described by its sellers as an integrated in-car lowering system that does not void your warranty; confirm this with your dealer before you rely on it.

The module also works with the rest of the Airmatic system, so the self-leveling and ADS features keep working. Because it is plug-and-play, you can raise the car again whenever you need more ground clearance on rough roads.

Overall, module lowering is faster, simpler and cheaper than mechanical lowering, and it gives you more settings to choose from.

What Are The Advantages Of Using The OBD2 Module?

Reviewers praise the plug-and-play design because it gives the owner more control. Mercedes-Benz owners also like that the changes are easy to reverse and to personalise.

The OBD-II lowering module lowers Mercedes-Benz cars with Airmatic air suspension without damage or alterations to the car, because it only uses the OBD-2 connector and the navigation buttons already in the car.

If you're interested in buying this lowering module, please contact us with your VIN and we'll check whether it's compatible with your Mercedes-Benz.

Which Mercedes-Benz Cars Are Compatible?

• C Class W205 Pre-Facelift Saloon Sedan 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
• C Class S205 Pre-FaceliftTouring Estate 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
• C Class C205 Pre-FaceliftCoupe 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
• C Class A205 Pre-Facelift Convertible Cabriolet 2014 2015 2016 2017
• C Class C180, C200, C220, C250, C300, C350e, C45 AMG, C63 AMG, BlueTec, 4Matic
• E Class W212 Saloon Sedan
• E Class S212 Estate
• E Class C207 Coupe
• E Class A207 Convertible Cabriolet
• E Class W213 Saloon Sedan
• E Class S213 Estate
• E Class C238 Coupe
• E Class A238 Convertible Coupe
• E Class E200 E250 E300 E300e E350 E350e E400 E550 4MATIC CGI BlueEFFICIENCY CDI BlueTEC
• AMG E43 AMG E53 AMG E63
• E Class E200d E220d E300de E350d E400d 4MATIC
• CLS W218 C218
• CLS C257 W257
• GL class X166 SUV
• GLS Class X166
• GLC Class X253 Hatchback
• GLC Class C253 Coupe
• ML GLE W166 SUV
• GLE C292 Coupe
• S Class W221
• S Class C217 Coupe 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
• S Class A217 Cabriolet Convertible 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
• S Class W222 Saloon Sedan 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
• S300 BlueTEC Hybrid S320 S350 S400 S450 S500 S550 S600 S63 AMG S65 AMG 4Matic

The list covers the X253 GLC. For the newer generation, see the GLC 300 2023 preview.

Is OBD2 Lowering Worth It?

For cars with Airmatic, the module is the simplest lowering option. There's no mechanical work or wiring, and changing the settings or going back to stock is as simple as plugging the module back in.