2023 Navigator Reserve Rough Ride

[Tahoe Dave]

New to the forum and new to the Navigator. We purchased a 2023 Reserve a few days back and noticed that we can feel virtually every little bump on the road. Not being a fan of Pirellis, I fitted the car with Continental Cross Contacts which greatly improved the comfort on the highway and reduced road noise. However, around town, we still feel "every little" imperfection in the pavement? Is this just me, or am I describing something others are experiencing?

Thanks in advance for your feedback...

Dave

 

[bbf2530]

New to the forum and new to the Navigator. We purchased a 2023 Reserve a few days back and noticed that we can feel virtually every little bump on the road. Not being a fan of Pirellis, I fitted the car with Continental Cross Contacts which greatly improved the comfort on the highway and reduced road noise. However, around town, we still feel "every little" imperfection in the pavement? Is this just me, or am I describing something others are experiencing?

Thanks in advance for your feedback...

Dave

Hi Dave and welcome to the Lincoln Forums. There are a few things you can check which might affect the ride. First, if you have adjustable suspension/ride settings, try the Comfort setting.

Next, double-check the tire pressures. Be sure they are inflated to the Lincoln recommended pressure/pressures, which are listed on the manufacturer placard, located on the driver side door sill. Do not inflate the tires to the max cold tire pressure embossed on the tire sidewalls.
And use a good quality tire pressure gauge. Do not rely on the TPMS readouts, as they would not be real-time accurate for adjusting tire pressures.

If none of those suggestions seem to help, you may want to have your vehicle checked by the Service Department on your next service visit.

And just out of curiosity, what vehicle were you driving before you purchased your 2023 Navigator?

I am sure others will jump in with more advice and recommendations.

Let us know how you make out and good luck.

 

[Tahoe Dave]

Hi Dave and welcome to the Lincoln Forums. There are a few things you can check which might affect the ride. First, if you have adjustable suspension/ride settings, try the Comfort setting.

Next, double-check the tire pressures. Be sure they are inflated to the Lincoln recommended pressure/pressures, which are listed on the manufacturer placard, located on the driver side door sill. Do not inflate the tires to the max cold tire pressure embossed on the tire sidewalls.
And use a good quality tire pressure gauge. Do not rely on the TPMS readouts, as they would not be real-time accurate for adjusting tire pressures.

If none of those suggestions seem to help, you may want to have your vehicle checked by the Service Department on your next service visit.

And just out of curiosity, what vehicle were you driving before you purchased your 2023 Navigator?

I am sure others will jump in with more advice and recommendations.

Let us know how you make out and good luck.

Thanks for the reply. The vehicle does not have a "comfort setting" per se however, there are several settings for various road conditions. I'm using the 2H setting for normal around town driving. The tires are properly inflated and the onboard TPMS reading matches my digital gauge. As for, "what vehicle were you driving before you purchased your 2023 Navigator?" We have only driven Range Rovers for the past two decades. This is the result of having to drive in snow going back and forth between two homes. I researched the Navigators ability to handle snow and with the right tires (now on the car) the reports were favorable as to its performance and ability. I was careful to set expectations, as it relates to comparing the Navigator to the Range Rover. But, for $111,000.00 this vehicle should have a higher quality ride!

 

[Black Label]

I have had a 2020 and now 2022 Nav and have never had this experience. My wife agrees it is a wonderful riding vehicle, and anyone who has ever ridden in it and has commented as such.

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[bbf2530]

Thanks for the reply. The vehicle does not have a "comfort setting" per se however, there are several settings for various road conditions. I'm using the 2H setting for normal around town driving. The tires are properly inflated and the onboard TPMS reading matches my digital gauge. As for, "what vehicle were you driving before you purchased your 2023 Navigator?" We have only driven Range Rovers for the past two decades. This is the result of having to drive in snow going back and forth between two homes. I researched the Navigators ability to handle snow and with the right tires (now on the car) the reports were favorable as to its performance and ability. I was careful to set expectations, as it relates to comparing the Navigator to the Range Rover. But, for $111,000.00 this vehicle should have a higher quality ride!

Hi Dave. I can not feel what you are feeling when you drive, so am not in any position to disagree with you, and am not disagreeing with you at all. I am only trying to offer suggestions as to what an owner can do for self-help.

If you have already implemented those suggestions and still feel the vehicle is not riding correctly, perhaps there is a suspension issue. In that case, you should stop by your Lincoln Dealership and test drive other Navigators with the same equipment to compare ride quality.

Then, if you still feel your Navigator is riding too harshly, set up a service appointment to have it checked.

Keep us updated and good luck.

 

[Tahoe Dave]

Hi Dave. I can not feel what you are feeling when you drive, so am not in any position to disagree with you, and am not disagreeing with you at all. I am only trying to offer suggestions as to what an owner can do for self-help.

If you have already implemented those suggestions and still feel the vehicle is not riding correctly, perhaps there is a suspension issue. In that case, you should stop by your Lincoln Dealership and test drive other Navigators with the same equipment to compare ride quality.

Then, if you still feel your Navigator is riding too harshly, set up a service appointment to have it checked.

Keep us updated and good luck.

Again, thank you for the suggestions. I believe the next step is to drive another Navigator and also have the service department drive mine. For the record, with the exception of "ride-gate" we are very pleased with the vehicle. And, talk about sound system!

 

[Black Label]

Hope you get it resolved.

 

[bbf2530]

Again, thank you for the suggestions. I believe the next step is to drive another Navigator and also have the service department drive mine. For the record, with the exception of "ride-gate" we are very pleased with the vehicle. And, talk about sound system!

Hi Dave. I do not think the following information is your issue or a resolution. I am only trying to get a grasp of all the variables and perhaps supply a bit of information in the process (which may help someone reading this in the future). So here goes :

I just downloaded the 2023 Navigator Owners Manual and noted a few observations: For example, the various "Excite" ("Excite 4x2"/"Excite 4x4") modes do stiffen up the suspension.

However, the "Normal" settings ("Normal 4X2"/"Normal 4x4") do not stiffen the ride and are more comfort oriented. Is "Normal 4x2" the setting you meant when you stated you use "2H"? Or am I overlooking another setting?

Keep us updated and good luck.

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[Tahoe Dave]

Hi Dave. I do not think the following information is your issue or a resolution. I am only trying to get a grasp of all the variables and perhaps supply a bit of information in the process (which may help someone reading this in the future). So here goes :

I just downloaded the 2023 Navigator Owners Manual and noted a few observations: For example, the various "Excite" ("Excite 4x2"/"Excite 4x4" modes do stiffen up the suspension.

However, the "Normal" settings ("Normal 4X2"/"Normal 4x4") do not stiffen the ride and are more comfort oriented. Is "Normal 4x2" the setting you meant when you stated you use "2H"? Or am I overlooking another setting?

Keep us updated and good luck.

I do have the ride set at Normal 4X2 and when my wife returns I will double check it. I misspoke when I referred to it as 2H, thanks for the clarification.

 

[dlcorbett]

Your truck has an adaptive suspension and it changes setting when you change drive modes. Mines is a 2020, and sometimes, the shocks will ride extra stiff and you feel more bumps in the road. But mostly, it's highly comfortable 80% of the time. It may be your tired giving you a bad ride but I would def take it to the dealer to see what they say. I saw somewhere, you can reset the computer and In turn reset the shocks since they are adaptive. For me, I like putting the mode in excite in town, it helps quell the body motion and tightens the dampers so you dnt feel small bumps as much. Ill then put it in normal when I think the dampers are more pliant. Also, washing the underbody helps too.

 

[Vics 2024 Black Label]

I have had a 2020 and now 2022 Nav and have never had this experience. My wife agrees it is a wonderful riding vehicle, and anyone who has ever ridden in it and has commented as such.

I also really like my new 2023 alot better than my 2021 it rides much better,and the engine trans and steering is a lot better than my 2019-2020 and 2021.And everyone who has rode in my new truck says its a wonderful riding vehicle also.

 

[NavigatorPro]

Check tire pressure. Cold for 22 inchers is 39 psi.

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[dlcorbett]

The 22 navs I have driven have had spectacular rides as well

 

[Tahoe Dave]

I just viewed a YouTube piece on the 2023 Navigator, it was the typical walk around and features overview. This particular one included a "test drive" and the presenter commented on the ride which he said was slightly marginalized because the one tested had a heavy duty towing package, as such a stiffer suspension. Ours has the HD towing package, so I'm wondering if...?

 

[NavigatorPro]

I just viewed a YouTube piece on the 2023 Navigator, it was the typical walk around and features overview. This particular one included a "test drive" and the presenter commented on the ride which he said was slightly marginalized because the one tested had a heavy duty towing package, as such a stiffer suspension. Ours has the HD towing package, so I'm wondering if...?

There are no suspension modifications for the towing package. Same sway bar...same shock springs. Here is whats in the towing package.

My 23 road very well over bumps with the stock sway bars.

If you do a lot of towing then you should consider a Hellwig rear sway bar.

 

[Tahoe Dave]

Maybe it's not just me on this issue, at about 12 minutes in Kirk describes my exact concern...

lincoln navigator black label review - Google Search

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[dlcorbett]

I saw this video. What was interesting was that he was comparing the ride to the refreshed armada. I saw a comparo between the armada and the Tahoe (current gen) and the armada had a better ride than the tahoe as well. Car and driver also noted the ride in their luxo suv comparo as well.

Quick question, are you comparing the ride to anything specific? We're you able to test drive the vehicle before purchase? Did you have a navigator old or new beforehand? Wete you able to get it to a shop?

 

[Tahoe Dave]

I saw this video. What was interesting was that he was comparing the ride to the refreshed armada. I saw a comparo between the armada and the Tahoe (current gen) and the armada had a better ride than the tahoe as well. Car and driver also noted the ride in their luxo suv comparo as well.

Quick question, are you comparing the ride to anything specific? We're you able to test drive the vehicle before purchase? Did you have a navigator old or new beforehand? Wete you able to get it to a shop?

While we have only driven Range Rovers for the past 20 years, I'm absolutely not comparing it to those or other cars we currently own. I'm remaining objective and evaluating the ride based on how a domestic "luxury" SUV should ride. My wife road tested the car first and as previously stated, on smooth pavement it rides like a dream. The problem is apparent on slightly rough roads, or more than slightly rough where each little rut or line on the road vibrates throughout the entire vehicle. I have scheduled an appointment for next week to have it looked at. In full disclosure, I truly like the vehicle and compared to our Range Rovers, it has it all, with this one exception.

 

[NavigatorPro]

I have a 2023 Navigator L Reserve and it road soft...too soft! I put front and back Hellwigs with Energy Suspension to tighten it up and feel the road. Something might be wrong here with yours.

 

[dlcorbett]

My dad has a 22 escalade, he was just here. I have a 20 nav, which don't drive as well as the 22+ in my opinion. Honestly, the ride between them aren't too different and his has air springs. His does have better big bump absorption, but on The hwy, they are nearly identical, with mine being slightly more firm but more controlled In The rear. The wagoneer I drove was similar, more body motion than both in the rear, but also more absorbent than the nav, less than the escy. In terms on the big competitors, the ride is very competitive for it to be the only truck in its entire segment without any sort of air springs.

What bothers me the most about my truck is the body structure shaking. The body is constantly jittering, and the body cranks on the frame on some bumps. It's also loud while absorbing cracked pavement. My truck does have 80k miles and the tires are pretty firm, however my 18 expy did the same brand new, no miles. It's a ford thing that they refuse to address because it's a truck. The escy jitters too, but on smooth roads, it's pretty serene and cloud like with barely and body clanking or suspension noises.