Panamera height sensor calibration
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 465
Likes: 148
Panamera height sensor calibration
Has anyone re calibrated their suspension height sensors with PIWIS2?
Wondering what is involved and about the process in general, how long it takes, anything special that is needed. Thanks.
Wondering what is involved and about the process in general, how long it takes, anything special that is needed. Thanks.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 342
Likes: 299
From: West Palm Beach
I have done this, it's not a very complicated process. You measure the height from the underside of the fender wheel opening to the center of the wheel and enter that number in millimeters into all 4 wheels. There is an acceptable range permitted. Measuring to the center of anything is not easy. Search for WM 430115 in the sticky guides to find the procedure
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 465
Likes: 148
Yeah, process not complicated, but once your height is not at desired height you are misaligning the wheels. I got it done today though. I may feel like a DIY once my alignment is done and I take a nice spin with the car.
OK. After super many tries, I finally have all wheels set at the same height. I actually put the back wheels 6mm higher than the front wheels (spec height calls for rear to be 2mm taller than front), so my back is now 4mm higher. Exactly what I wanted.
Took me all of one day and part of today. Dont ask how many times I recalibrated.
Taking measurements:
All my measurements were from the bottom of the center cap. Why the bottom and not the center of the center cap? Because unless you draw some marks on it, you are not accurate.
My way, I always have a known point of reference, which is the edge between wheel and the center cap. That groove is my reference.
I also know the cap is 76mm in diameter. 76/2 = 38mm. So all my measurements (as I enter into the calibration screen), are whatever the measurement is, minus 38mm. So if I measure 442mm in front, 442mm - 38mm = 404mm (the default spec height of front tires).
Process tips:
- Whatever you do, it is important to complete the calibration at the end (more on this later).
- Get your battery charged up FULLY before you start
- Every few measurements (if you need multiple), say every 3 calibrations, after you complete, start the car and let idle for 3 minutes. It will top up the battery and get it ready for the next set of attempts
- DO NOT LET THE VOLTAGE DROP TO 12V. If it happens during calibration, there is a small risk you can do something to the ECU, and could even brick it. There is a process to build a power supply that will keep the voltage at a constant 12.4V, but if you dont have one, you can still do this but dont spend much time on each attempt (HAVE ALL YOUR MEASUREMENTS WRITTEN, so when you get to the screen, you enter then, double check and save them).
- Enter diags and choose Level/PASM selection, go to next screen but then press F11 to skip diagnostics of entire car (saves batt. power)
- Height sensor calibration is done in the Maintenance Repairs section
- Height entered in mm, and I chose my reference as stated above, so I had to make sure all my measurements are with the 38mm (half of the center cap diameter) subtracted, to give exactly middle of the cap/wheel.
- After you enter all measurements (enter number, press enter key), you save by pressing WRITE (one of the F keys, stated at bottom of screen).
- Then, IMPORTANT, as requested, you must turn the ignition to OFF, then back to ON (if you dont do this, calibration save wont be completed
- After you write and turn ignition off/on, you must get the calibration successful message (check mark on bottom entry of the calibration screen), at which time YOU MUST PRESS F12 to continue. If you dont press F12, calibration will not be completed as well.
- After you press F12, you are done, what I do is exit the screen to main menu of the PIWIS2 tool. Then I turn ignition to off (at which time height will adjust). Regardless, then I turn car on and let idle for few minutes. Compressor will compress air, then suspension will readjust again.
I will be doing a DIY on this one time, process is easy, but is confusing if you have not done it. The above are just some pieces of info I gathered while trying.
I did this with PIWIS2. Easy. I am loving this tool very much. Would not want to be without it now.
OK. After super many tries, I finally have all wheels set at the same height. I actually put the back wheels 6mm higher than the front wheels (spec height calls for rear to be 2mm taller than front), so my back is now 4mm higher. Exactly what I wanted.
Took me all of one day and part of today. Dont ask how many times I recalibrated.
Taking measurements:
All my measurements were from the bottom of the center cap. Why the bottom and not the center of the center cap? Because unless you draw some marks on it, you are not accurate.
My way, I always have a known point of reference, which is the edge between wheel and the center cap. That groove is my reference.
I also know the cap is 76mm in diameter. 76/2 = 38mm. So all my measurements (as I enter into the calibration screen), are whatever the measurement is, minus 38mm. So if I measure 442mm in front, 442mm - 38mm = 404mm (the default spec height of front tires).
Process tips:
- Whatever you do, it is important to complete the calibration at the end (more on this later).
- Get your battery charged up FULLY before you start
- Every few measurements (if you need multiple), say every 3 calibrations, after you complete, start the car and let idle for 3 minutes. It will top up the battery and get it ready for the next set of attempts
- DO NOT LET THE VOLTAGE DROP TO 12V. If it happens during calibration, there is a small risk you can do something to the ECU, and could even brick it. There is a process to build a power supply that will keep the voltage at a constant 12.4V, but if you dont have one, you can still do this but dont spend much time on each attempt (HAVE ALL YOUR MEASUREMENTS WRITTEN, so when you get to the screen, you enter then, double check and save them).
- Enter diags and choose Level/PASM selection, go to next screen but then press F11 to skip diagnostics of entire car (saves batt. power)
- Height sensor calibration is done in the Maintenance Repairs section
- Height entered in mm, and I chose my reference as stated above, so I had to make sure all my measurements are with the 38mm (half of the center cap diameter) subtracted, to give exactly middle of the cap/wheel.
- After you enter all measurements (enter number, press enter key), you save by pressing WRITE (one of the F keys, stated at bottom of screen).
- Then, IMPORTANT, as requested, you must turn the ignition to OFF, then back to ON (if you dont do this, calibration save wont be completed
- After you write and turn ignition off/on, you must get the calibration successful message (check mark on bottom entry of the calibration screen), at which time YOU MUST PRESS F12 to continue. If you dont press F12, calibration will not be completed as well.
- After you press F12, you are done, what I do is exit the screen to main menu of the PIWIS2 tool. Then I turn ignition to off (at which time height will adjust). Regardless, then I turn car on and let idle for few minutes. Compressor will compress air, then suspension will readjust again.
I will be doing a DIY on this one time, process is easy, but is confusing if you have not done it. The above are just some pieces of info I gathered while trying.
I did this with PIWIS2. Easy. I am loving this tool very much. Would not want to be without it now.
Instructor
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 240
Likes: 37
From: Los Gatos, California
Yeah, process not complicated, but once your height is not at desired height you are misaligning the wheels. I got it done today though. I may feel like a DIY once my alignment is done and I take a nice spin with the car.
OK. After super many tries, I finally have all wheels set at the same height. I actually put the back wheels 6mm higher than the front wheels (spec height calls for rear to be 2mm taller than front), so my back is now 4mm higher. Exactly what I wanted.
Took me all of one day and part of today. Dont ask how many times I recalibrated.
Taking measurements:
All my measurements were from the bottom of the center cap. Why the bottom and not the center of the center cap? Because unless you draw some marks on it, you are not accurate.
My way, I always have a known point of reference, which is the edge between wheel and the center cap. That groove is my reference.
I also know the cap is 76mm in diameter. 76/2 = 38mm. So all my measurements (as I enter into the calibration screen), are whatever the measurement is, minus 38mm. So if I measure 442mm in front, 442mm - 38mm = 404mm (the default spec height of front tires).
Process tips:
- Whatever you do, it is important to complete the calibration at the end (more on this later).
- Get your battery charged up FULLY before you start
- Every few measurements (if you need multiple), say every 3 calibrations, after you complete, start the car and let idle for 3 minutes. It will top up the battery and get it ready for the next set of attempts
- DO NOT LET THE VOLTAGE DROP TO 12V. If it happens during calibration, there is a small risk you can do something to the ECU, and could even brick it. There is a process to build a power supply that will keep the voltage at a constant 12.4V, but if you dont have one, you can still do this but dont spend much time on each attempt (HAVE ALL YOUR MEASUREMENTS WRITTEN, so when you get to the screen, you enter then, double check and save them).
- Enter diags and choose Level/PASM selection, go to next screen but then press F11 to skip diagnostics of entire car (saves batt. power)
- Height sensor calibration is done in the Maintenance Repairs section
- Height entered in mm, and I chose my reference as stated above, so I had to make sure all my measurements are with the 38mm (half of the center cap diameter) subtracted, to give exactly middle of the cap/wheel.
- After you enter all measurements (enter number, press enter key), you save by pressing WRITE (one of the F keys, stated at bottom of screen).
- Then, IMPORTANT, as requested, you must turn the ignition to OFF, then back to ON (if you dont do this, calibration save wont be completed
- After you write and turn ignition off/on, you must get the calibration successful message (check mark on bottom entry of the calibration screen), at which time YOU MUST PRESS F12 to continue. If you dont press F12, calibration will not be completed as well.
- After you press F12, you are done, what I do is exit the screen to main menu of the PIWIS2 tool. Then I turn ignition to off (at which time height will adjust). Regardless, then I turn car on and let idle for few minutes. Compressor will compress air, then suspension will readjust again.
I will be doing a DIY on this one time, process is easy, but is confusing if you have not done it. The above are just some pieces of info I gathered while trying.
I did this with PIWIS2. Easy. I am loving this tool very much. Would not want to be without it now.
OK. After super many tries, I finally have all wheels set at the same height. I actually put the back wheels 6mm higher than the front wheels (spec height calls for rear to be 2mm taller than front), so my back is now 4mm higher. Exactly what I wanted.
Took me all of one day and part of today. Dont ask how many times I recalibrated.
Taking measurements:
All my measurements were from the bottom of the center cap. Why the bottom and not the center of the center cap? Because unless you draw some marks on it, you are not accurate.
My way, I always have a known point of reference, which is the edge between wheel and the center cap. That groove is my reference.
I also know the cap is 76mm in diameter. 76/2 = 38mm. So all my measurements (as I enter into the calibration screen), are whatever the measurement is, minus 38mm. So if I measure 442mm in front, 442mm - 38mm = 404mm (the default spec height of front tires).
Process tips:
- Whatever you do, it is important to complete the calibration at the end (more on this later).
- Get your battery charged up FULLY before you start
- Every few measurements (if you need multiple), say every 3 calibrations, after you complete, start the car and let idle for 3 minutes. It will top up the battery and get it ready for the next set of attempts
- DO NOT LET THE VOLTAGE DROP TO 12V. If it happens during calibration, there is a small risk you can do something to the ECU, and could even brick it. There is a process to build a power supply that will keep the voltage at a constant 12.4V, but if you dont have one, you can still do this but dont spend much time on each attempt (HAVE ALL YOUR MEASUREMENTS WRITTEN, so when you get to the screen, you enter then, double check and save them).
- Enter diags and choose Level/PASM selection, go to next screen but then press F11 to skip diagnostics of entire car (saves batt. power)
- Height sensor calibration is done in the Maintenance Repairs section
- Height entered in mm, and I chose my reference as stated above, so I had to make sure all my measurements are with the 38mm (half of the center cap diameter) subtracted, to give exactly middle of the cap/wheel.
- After you enter all measurements (enter number, press enter key), you save by pressing WRITE (one of the F keys, stated at bottom of screen).
- Then, IMPORTANT, as requested, you must turn the ignition to OFF, then back to ON (if you dont do this, calibration save wont be completed
- After you write and turn ignition off/on, you must get the calibration successful message (check mark on bottom entry of the calibration screen), at which time YOU MUST PRESS F12 to continue. If you dont press F12, calibration will not be completed as well.
- After you press F12, you are done, what I do is exit the screen to main menu of the PIWIS2 tool. Then I turn ignition to off (at which time height will adjust). Regardless, then I turn car on and let idle for few minutes. Compressor will compress air, then suspension will readjust again.
I will be doing a DIY on this one time, process is easy, but is confusing if you have not done it. The above are just some pieces of info I gathered while trying.
I did this with PIWIS2. Easy. I am loving this tool very much. Would not want to be without it now.