Operating Instructions

ECS air suspension

Rear air suspension

T0010203

Contents
Trucks with air suspension .................................................................
Introduction .........................................................................................
Equipment in the cab ..........................................................................
Remote control box ........................................................................
Lamps and symbols ........................................................................

1
1
1
2
3

Driving a truck with air suspension ................................................. 6

General ................................................................................................ 6
Bogie ................................................................................................... 7
Lifting and lowering the bogie axle .............................................. 7
To alter the distribution of load between the driving axle and
the bogie axle ................................................................................. 8
Lashing the truck for ferry transport ................................................ 11
Ride height memory ......................................................................... 13
Install new ride height ................................................................. 13
Restoring the factory-set ride height ........................................... 15
Functions in locked position ............................................................. 16
To adjust the height ...................................................................... 16
Adjust the amount of air in the bogie axles lifting bellows ..... 16
Loading and unloading .....................................................................
General ..............................................................................................
Ride height control ...........................................................................
Changing the height with the control box ..................................
Height memories for loading and unloading ...................................
Storing a height in the memory ...................................................
Retrieving a height from the memory .........................................
Quick unloading ................................................................................
Using the air suspension with the ignition turned off .....................
Loading and unloading with the main switch off ............................

17
17
18
18
20
20
21
22
23
25

Index .................................................................................................... 31

Trucks with air suspension

Introduction
This truck is equipped with rear air suspension and therefore has air bellows in place
of rear leaf springs. The amount of air in
the bellows can be regulated, and determines the ride height.
The air suspension is electronically controlled (ECS, electronically controlled
suspension) and keeps the same ride height
irrespective of
load weight and position. Ride height can
also be controlled manually, by using the
control box.

Equipment in the cab

T7008936

1
2
3

Bogie elevation lamp

Driver display
Information lamps and indication
lamps

4
5

Diff lock switch and bogie switch

Remote control box

Trucks with air suspension

Remote control box

Control button
To specify air suspension function:

Top position, manual adjustment. For

manual adjustment and use of memories.
Centre position, drive position. For
normal
driving.
Lower position, ride height adjustment. For changing the height of the
frame above
ground level in driving position.

T7008397

Adjustment switch
To raise or lower the truck.

T7008404

Memory switch
To store or retrieve a memory.

T7008408

Trucks with air suspension

Lamps and symbols
Bogie lamp
The bogie lamp is lit when:

The bogie axle is lifted.

The load distribution between the driving axle and the bogie axle is altered.

The bogie lifting lamp flashes when:

The drive axle pressure has increased

by 30% in trucks which have a bogie
button with non-locking lower
position.

T3014468

Bogie elevation lamp

Trucks with air suspension

Driver display
Lamp on
instrument panel

Driver display

Meaning

Action

The control button is

in the upper or
lower position.

Put control
button in centre
position.
Note! Drive very
carefully when the
symbol is displayed.

If the control button

is in the centre
position the air suspension is in locked
position.

Check that the air

suspension is
locked:
Turn the ignition key
to the stop position
(0) and then back to
the drive position
(1). If the symbol
remains on the
display the air suspension is locked.
Please refer to
Functions in locked
position page 16.

Trucks with air suspension

Lamp on
instrument panel

Driver display

CHECK THE AIR

SUSPENSION AT
THE NEXT STOP

Meaning

Action

Truck is not in drive

position.

Check that
the control button is
in the centre position and wait until
the truck has
reached the correct
drive height.
Note! Drive very
carefully when the
symbol is displayed.
A signal sounds if
the truck is going
too fast.
If one of the bellows
is punctured, put
the control button in
the upper position
and drive the truck
at a speed not exceeding 30km/h to a
Volvo
workshop or contact
Volvo Action Service.

There is a fault in
the air suspension.

Check whether the

fault is active at the
next stop:
Turn the ignition
key to the stop position (0) and then
back to the drive position (1). If the
message remains on
the display the fault
remains. Please refer
to Functions in
locked position
page 16.

Driving a truck with air suspension

General
If the truck gets stuck on a slippery road
you can alter the load distribution between
the drive axle and the bogie axle in order to
get free. Please refer to To alter the distribution of load between the driving axle and
the bogie axle page 8.
Important! Take care with snow chains on
the drive axles inner wheels. This could
damage the air suspension.

Warning! Shut off the electronic air

suspension system when using outriggers, a (snow) plough without the
so-called float mode or other equipment
that affects ride height. On trucks with
equipment which affects ride height,
there is a special switch to shut off the
air suspension system. If the truck is
subsequently modified, functions for
shutting down the air suspension system
can be added by a Volvo workshop.

Driving a truck with air suspension

Bogie
Lifting and lowering the bogie axle
Lifting the bogie axle
Move the bogie switch to the upper
position. The bogie lifting lamp on the instrument panel lights up and will continue
to show as long as the switch is in the upper position.
The bogie axle will not lift if the pressure
on the drive axle exceeds the axle pressure
limit.
The bogie axle is not lifted on trucks that
are not equipped with a bogie, but the
weight is redistributed to the other axles as
per To alter the distribution of load between the driving axle and the bogie axle
page 8.

T7008416

T3014468

Bogie elevation lamp

Note! On all trucks except those with

pusher axles, the rear suspension rises
45mm when the switch is depressed to the
lower position. The rear of the chassis will
be raised even if the vehicle lacks a bogie
lift. The rise results in an increase in the
trucks total height.

Lowering the bogie axle

Put the bogie switch in the centre position.
The bogie lamp on the instrument panel
goes out.

T7008420

Driving a truck with air suspension

To alter the distribution of load between the driving axle and

the bogie axle
To change the load distribution the bellows
for the bogie axle are vented, which transfers weight to the driving axle. This
manoeuvre can be used, for example, in order to get moving when stuck on a slippery
road surface. The bogie axle does not lift, it
is still in contact with the road surface all
the time.
The load distribution between the bogie
axle and the drive can be adjusted even if
the truck does not have a bogie lift.

When the bogie button has a non-locking lower position

1 On 6x4 and 8x4; engage the diff lock between axles.

T4017789

2 Press the lower part of the bogie switch

once.
The load is distributed so that the drive
axle takes more of the load than previously,
but not more than the axle pressure limit.
The bogie lifting lamp is lit.
Function Optimise traction is activated.
The function distributes the pressure between the axles in order to attain the best
possible road holding with respect to the
load.

T7008415

Driving a truck with air suspension

3 Press the lower part of the bogie switch
once more.
If the speed is less than 30 km/h when it is
pressed:
The drive axle pressure increases to a
maximum of 30% over the axle pressure limit. The bogie lamp flashes.
When the speed increases to over 30
km/h the drive axle pressure decreases
to the axle pressure limit again.

T7008415

4 Press the lower part of the bogie switch a

third time.
The air bellows for the bogie axle are inflated so that axle loading is distributed
evenly again. The bogie lamp goes out.

T7008415

5 Disconnect the diff lock.

When the bogie button has three set

positions
1 On 6x4 and 8x4; engage the diff lock between axles.

T4017789

10

Driving a truck with air suspension

2 Put the bogie switch in the lower

position.
The load is distributed so that the drive
axle carries a heavier load than previously.
The bogie lamp is lit.
The function Optimise traction is activated. The function distributes the pressure
between the axles in order to attain the best
possible road holding with respect to the
load.

T7008415

To go back to normal driving:

1

Put the bogie switch in the centre position

Disengage the diff lock

T7008420

Driving a truck with air suspension

Lashing the truck for ferry transport

When the truck is to be lashed for ferry
transport, the air bellows must first be emptied and then the air suspension system
shut off.
1 Apply the parking brake.

T5012418

2 Put the control switch in the upper position,

manual control.

T7008399

3 Lower the truck to the lowest level with

the control button.

T7008404

4 Lock the control switch in the lower

position.

T7008406

11

12

Driving a truck with air suspension

5 Keep the memory button depressed for at

least five seconds.
When the button is released the remaining
air will drain out of the bellows.

T7008410

6 When all air is out and it has finished

hissing, turn the starter key to the stop
position.

T7008413

7 Put the control button in the centre position, drive position.

The truck is now set up to be lashed down,
and the air suspension system is shut off.
The truck returns to the driving position
when the ignition is on and the parking
brake has been released or the control button is put in the upper position or the lower
position and then back in the centre position again.

T7008397

Driving a truck with air suspension

Ride height memory
The chassis ride height can
be adjusted within certain limits. The
amount of adjustment depends on the type
of truck, and can not be adjusted at all on
some trucks.
You can always resume the factory
set ride height.
Note! Changing the ride height may
impair road handling.

Install new ride height

Road speed must not exceed 30 km/h when
the control box is used.
1 Put the control button in the lower position,
ride height setting.

T7008401

2 Set the height you want with the ride

height switch.
Put the control switch in the centre position
when the required height has been entered.

T7008404

13

14

Driving a truck with air suspension

3 Keep the memory button depressed for at

least five seconds.

T7008410

4 The new ride height is now set.

Put the control button in the centre position, drive position.

T7008397

Driving a truck with air suspension

Restoring the factory-set ride height
You can always go back to the factory-set
ride height.
Road speed must not exceed 30 km/h when
the control box is used.
1 Put the control button in the lower position,
ride height adjustment.

T7008401

2 Keep the memory button depressed for

two seconds.
3 Release the button.
The truck goes back to the factory-set ride
height.

T7008418

4 Put the control button in the centre position, drive position.

T7008397

15

16

Driving a truck with air suspension

Functions in locked position

In case of malfunction the air suspension
can be blocked. Then the automatic height
adjustment is disengaged and the air suspension is adjusted in a different way from
usual.
Important! The vehicle must be taken to a
workshop as immediately, but can be used
until then.

To adjust the height

Drive axle
Choose which side shall be adjusted

The top position regulates the right

side.
The centre position regulates both
sides at once. The air in the bogie
axles bellows is adjusted at the same
time as the air in the drive axle is adjusted.
The bottom position regulates the left
side.

T7008397

Adjust the height with the adjustment

switch.

Adjust the amount of air in the bogie axles lifting bellows

Drain the lifting bellows by pressing the
bogie button downwards.

T7008415

Loading and unloading

General
The air suspension system must be active
during all loading and unloading. It is active if the ignition is on or if Using the air
suspension with the ignition turned off
page 23 is completed.
For trucks in ADR traffic it is sometimes
necessary to
have the main switch switched off when
loading and unloading. Certain measures
have to be taken, to avoid damage to the
chassis. Please refer to Loading and unloading with the main switch off page 25.

Warning! Shut off the electronic air

suspension system when using outriggers, a (snow) plough without the
so-called float mode or other equipment
that affects ride height. On trucks with
equipment which affects ride height,
there is a special switch to shut off the
air suspension system. If the truck is
subsequently modified, functions for
shutting down the air suspension system
can be added by a Volvo workshop.

17

18

Loading and unloading

Ride height control

Changing the height with the control box
Ride height can be controlled
manually by means of the control box. This
has a 3 metre long cable and magnets on
the rear so that it can
also be used and secured outside the cab.
The engine does not to be running for
the height to be adjusted, see Using the air
suspension with the ignition turned off
page 23, but the air pressure in the system
must be sufficient.
Road speed must not exceed 30 km/h when
the control box is used.
1 Put the control switch in the upper position,
manual control.

T7008399

2 Set the height you want with the ride

height switch.
Put the control switch in the centre position
when the required height has been entered.

T7008404

Loading and unloading

To return the truck to drive ride height, put
the control button in the centre position,
drive position. The previously set ride
height is lost.

T7008397

19

20

Loading and unloading

Height memories for loading and unloading

Storing a height in the memory
One loading and unloading height can be
stored in the memory.
Road speed must not exceed 30 km/h when
the control box is used.
1 Put the control switch in the upper position,
manual control.

T7008399

2 Set the height you want with the ride

height switch.
Put the control switch in the centre position
when the required height has been entered.

T7008404

3 Keep the memory button depressed for at

least five seconds.
The height is now stored in the memory.

T7008410

Loading and unloading

To return the truck to drive ride height, put
the control button in the centre position,
drive position.

T7008397

Retrieving a height from the memory

Road speed must not exceed 30 km/h when
the control box is used.
1 Put the control switch in the upper position,
manual control.

T7008399

2 Keep the memory button depressed for

two seconds.
3 Release the button.
The truck will assume the stored height.

T7008418

To return the truck to drive ride height, put

the control button in the centre position,
drive position.

T7008397

21

22

Loading and unloading

Quick unloading
For quick unloading, for example, when a
container is lifted off, the vehicle must first
be lowered down to its lowest level with no
air remaining in the bellows. The suspension could be damaged otherwise.
1 Put the control switch in the upper position,
manual control.

T7008399

2 Lower the rear suspension to its lowest

position with the control button.

T7008404

Loading and unloading

23

Using the air suspension with the ignition turned off

The ignition does not need to be on, for the
air suspension system to function. Although
the ignition key is in the stop position, you
can regulate ride height manually and allow
the truck to regulate its height automatically. It is also possible to take out the
starter key and lock the doors.

Engaging the function

1 Turn the ignition key to the drive position.

T7008414

2 Put the control switch in the upper position,

manual control.

T7008399

3 Turn the starter key to the stop position.

The air suspension can be regulated manually or automatically, until the air is
entirely out of the system. After four hours
the system is disconnected.

T7008413

24

Loading and unloading

Disengaging the function

Turn the ignition key to the drive position.

T7008414

or
Put the control button in the centre position, drive position.

T7008397

Loading and unloading

Loading and unloading with the main switch off
On trucks with ADR loads it is sometimes
necessary for the main
switch to be turned off. So that
the chassis must not be damaged, the rear
of the chassis must be raised to its highest
level or lowered to its lowest level
respectively.

Before loading
Raise the rear suspension to its highest position:
1 Put the control switch in the upper position,
manual control.

T7008399

2 Raise the rear suspension to its highest

position with the control button.

T7008404

3 Turn the ignition key to the stop position.

T7008413

25

26

Loading and unloading

4 Put the control button in the centre position, drive position.

T7008397

5 Turn off the main switch.

Loading and unloading

Before unloading
Lower the rear suspension to its lowest position:
1 Put the control switch in the upper position,
manual control.

T7008399

2 Lower the rear suspension to its lowest

position with the control button.

T7008404

3 Turn the ignition key to the stop position.

T7008413

4 Put the control button in the centre position, drive position.

T7008397

5 Turn off the main switch.

27

28

Loading and unloading

Loading and unloading

29

30

Loading and unloading

Index

31

Index
Loading and unloading . . . . . 17
A
B

C
D

F
H

ADR traffic . . . . . . . . . . 25

Bogie
lift . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
lowering . . . . . . . . . . 7
Bogie elevation lamp . . . . . . 3

Control box, use . . . . . . . . 18

Distribution of load . . . . . . . 8
Driver display . . . . . . . . . 4
Driving a truck with air suspension 6

ECS . . . . . . .
ECS air suspension .
Empty the bellows .
Equipment in the cab
Error messages . . .

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

1
1
11
1
4

Ferry transport . . . . . . . . . 11
Hazardous goods . . . . . . . . 25
Hydraulic outriggers . . . . 6, 17
Ignition off . . . . . . . . . . 23
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . 1

T
U
W

lashing . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Main switch off . . . . . . . . 25

Manual control . . . . . . . . . 18
Outriggers on superstructures

6, 17

Plough

6, 17

. . . . . . . . . .

Quick unloading . . . . . . . . 22
Remote control box . . . .
Retrieving a height from the
ory . . . . . . . . . . .
Ride height
factory-set . . . . . . .
new . . . . . . . . .

. . . 2
mem. . . 21
. . . 15
. . . 13

Slippery roads . . . . . . . .
Snow chains . . . . . . . . .
Storing a height in the memory
Superstructure . . . . . . .
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . .
Trucks with air suspension

.
.
.
6,
.

6
6
20
17
4

. . . 1

Unloading . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Winter roads . . . . . . . . . . 6

Volvo Truck Corporation

Gteborg, Sweden

20 159833 English .01.2002

Printed in Sweden