Active Suspension Review

[bbf2530]

Note the date on your Order Guide...October 2022. That is the last one I have also. How do you know it still applies to cars that were built in Summer of 2023?

Hi Torquer. That is an excellent question with a rather simple answer. The Dealer Order Guide is the "Bible" of vehicle ordering. Therefore, if there were vehicle/equipment changes, there would be a new Dealer Order Guide printed and released. So since there is no newer release of the 2023 Corsair Dealer Order Guide showing any changes, more importantly, there have been no equipment availability changes.

The Adaptive Suspension is part of the available Reserve Collection III 202A equipment collection. And it is standard on the Corsair Grand Touring.

Hope that clears up any confusion and good luck.

 

[dk4500]

Well bbf, thanks for the info. Maybe I do have it, but there's nothing in the ride or paperwork that indicates it to me. I have just posted MKC vs Corsair where one of the points I make is that I believe the ride/suspension on my old 2015 MKC was far superior/smoother...especially on bad or uneven pavement than my 23 Corsair. I may never find out if I have "Adaptive Suspension", but if I do, it's not helping make the ride better

 

[bbf2530]

Well bbf, thanks for the info. Maybe I do have it, but there's nothing in the ride or paperwork that indicates it to me. I have just posted MKC vs Corsair where one of the points I make is that I believe the ride/suspension on my old 2015 MKC was far superior/smoother...especially on bad or uneven pavement than my 23 Corsair. I may never find out if I have "Adaptive Suspension", but if I do, it's not helping make the ride better

Hi dk4500. You are very welcome.

To explain further...The window sticker does not itemize all equipment, especially if that equipment is part of an option/trim/"Collection" package. In your case, if you have a 2023 Corsair with the Reserve Collection III 202A package, you have the Adaptive Suspension. Otherwise it would be listed as "Deleted" (or something similar) on the window sticker.

Regarding your MKC versus Corsair comparison: There are many variables, including wheel/tire size. I am assuming (form the Dealer Order Guide) that your Corsair is equipped with 20" wheels/tires. What size wheels did your MKC have? If they were smaller (i.e. 19" or 18"), that would explain at least part of the issue.

As I have explained in the past, using my 2007 MKZ with 17" wheels/50 series tires/conventional suspension, versus my 2018 MKZ with 19" wheels/40 series tires and Adaptive Suspension/Pothole Mitigation etc...There is only so much that electronics and mechanical intervention can do to mitigate the rougher ride of larger diameter wheels with lower sidewall ratio tires. Better looks come at a price.

Of course it is also possible that the Adaptive Suspension feature in your Corsair is not operating properly.

What I would recommend is this: If you still have doubts, stop by your Lincoln Dealership and ask them to explain the situation and check your vehicle if necessary.

Keep us updated and good luck.

 

[Torquer]

The Dealer Order Guide is the "Bible" of vehicle ordering. Therefore, if there were vehicle/equipment changes, there would be a new Dealer Order Guide printed and released. So since there is no newer release of the 2023 Corsair Dealer Order Guide showing any changes, more importantly, there have been no equipment availability changes.

Actually, the reason there are no new Order Guides publicly available, is because the person that had been providing them lost access to them. So there are no new order guides for any Ford/Lincoln vehicle after October 2022, available to us. That certainly does not mean that Ford/Lincoln has not released any to dealers; given past history, there almost certainly have been releases Here is the link to where he announced this:

Order Guide Updates

blueovalforums.com

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[bbf2530]

Actually, the reason there are no new Order Guides publicly available, is because the person that had been providing them lost access to them. So there are no new order guides for any Ford/Lincoln vehicle after October 2022, available to us. That certainly does not mean that Ford/Lincoln has not released any to dealers; given past history, there almost certainly have been releases Here is the link to where he announced this:

Order Guide Updates

blueovalforums.com

Hi Torquer. LOLOLOL...No...that is incorrect and a very odd assumption and accusation to make with absolutely no corroborating evidence. And if you had taken the time to read your own link just a few posts further, you would have seen you are incorrect.

So...Two points...First, perhaps you were not aware, but after making that announcement, "ice-capades" has still been providing information on Blue Oval Forums.
Second..."ice-capades" is not the only source for that information, and was not my only source for that information, (not sure why you would just assume that), so the information I have provided is correct.

So if you do not believe the information provided, please go to your local Dealership and ask. Or go to the Lincoln website and look up the information.

However, you will find out exactly what I have previously stated, since the information I have provided is correct.

The Adaptive Suspension is part of the available Reserve Collection III 202A equipment collection. And it is standard on the Corsair Grand Touring.

Good luck.

 

[Kevbol]

How do you know if you have adaptive suspension?

You can jack up the car and look at the shock. If there is a wire/connector on the side of the shock body, then you have adaptive suspension. You can also tell if the car gets stiffer when moving to sport mode.

Google Search

Peter

I added a picture of the right rear shock. You can see a module attached with a connector and blue wire coming out of the top. Adaptive suspension. You can see this laying on the ground.

 

[ljnelson109]

I added a picture of the right rear shock. You can see a module attached with a connector and blue wire coming out of the top. Adaptive suspension. You can see this laying on the ground.

I took the same photo this evening and just came here to post it! Thanks for taking the time to do it.

 

[MagicCarpet]

Its disappointing of Lincoln we can't have an in-screen menu option to independently select the shock settings like soft, normal, firm, towing.

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[peterk9]

Its disappointing of Lincoln we can't have an in-screen menu option to independently select the shock settings like soft, normal, firm, towing.

While there is no specific setting for the shocks, the suspension is tied into the Drive Mode selection and can change depending on which drive mode is selected.

Peter

 

[MagicCarpet]

While there is no specific setting for the shocks, the suspension is tied into the Drive Mode selection and can change depending on which drive mode is selected.

Peter

Yes we know this but it tells us what exactly about the suspension? Nothing concrete unfortunately. Which circles back to the OP, we have no proof if Adaptive Suspension is doing much over bumps. If we had settings of soft-med-hard we could reasonable test it out on a bumpy road.

 

[Sharbotcom]

My 23 Reserve Collection III, Equipment Group 202A window sticker does not say anything about Adaptive Suspension. I was under the impression that it is only available on the GT model. Appreciate it if 2023 GT owners can chime in on this.

It is listed under Functional on my 23 GT window sticker:

 

[ljnelson109]

Mine too, but it is very bizarre to me how different these lists are from one sticker to the next!

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[dk4500]

Double checked my sticker (Reserve III/202A) and there is no mention of Adaptive Suspension. After looking at the photo posted by kevbol, I went under the car and saw the same round/black looking thing on both rear shocks with the wire leading out . I then went on the Lincoln web site where under the Reserve Collection, it said "Adaptive Suspension Optional". I then built my Reserve car loaded, and nowhere did it give me the option of Adaptive Suspension. I realize that the web site may not be 100% accurate, and I don't doubt anyone's knowledge here on this Forum, I'm just wondering where you found the info that confirms that black cylinder is indeed the Adaptive Suspension module? In any case, going back and forth between these Posts and Lincolns sticker and web site info, I'm still not sure if I have it or not?
As stated previously, my 2015 MKC rode a heck of a lot smoother. Looking back at the MKC brochure, that car had what they called "Continuously Controlled Damping" that controlled the 3 selectable modes of Comfort, Normal and Sport. Lincoln stated "And because surfaces are unpredictable, the system continuously monitors the suspension settings 500 times per second, then quickly adjusts as needed" . All I can say is that over my 8 years of ownership, I felt the difference between those 3 selections and stuck with Comfort for what I consider a far superior smooth ride compared to the 23 Corsair...even if I have the elusive Adaptive Suspension. Next time I'm at the dealership, I'm going to have them check it out...of course I'm not sure that they'll have a clue???

 

[dk4500]

Hi dk4500. You are very welcome.

To explain further...The window sticker does not itemize all equipment, especially if that equipment is part of an option/trim/"Collection" package. In your case, if you have a 2023 Corsair with the Reserve Collection III 202A package, you have the Adaptive Suspension. Otherwise it would be listed as "Deleted" (or something similar) on the window sticker.

Regarding your MKC versus Corsair comparison: There are many variables, including wheel/tire size. I am assuming (form the Dealer Order Guide) that your Corsair is equipped with 20" wheels/tires. What size wheels did your MKC have? If they were smaller (i.e. 19" or 18"), that would explain at least part of the issue.

As I have explained in the past, using my 2007 MKZ with 17" wheels/50 series tires/conventional suspension, versus my 2018 MKZ with 19" wheels/40 series tires and Adaptive Suspension/Pothole Mitigation etc...There is only so much that electronics and mechanical intervention can do to mitigate the rougher ride of larger diameter wheels with lower sidewall ratio tires. Better looks come at a price.

Of course it is also possible that the Adaptive Suspension feature in your Corsair is not operating properly.

What I would recommend is this: If you still have doubts, stop by your Lincoln Dealership and ask them to explain the situation and check your vehicle if necessary.

Keep us updated and good luck.

Thanks bbf...Regarding tire sizes, when I added the Jet Appearance Pkg, the 20" tires came with it, and I do understand that this will probably result in a slightly rougher ride. My MKC had 19" tires but also had something called Continuously Controlled Dampening where I could choose between 3 drive modes Comfort-Normal and Sport, and I could definitely tell the difference. Also, before buying the Corsair, I test drove a Lexus RX multiple times...once with 20" tires and twice with 21" and was amazed at how smoothly both of those cars drove...in spite of their tire sizes...and much smoother than the Corsair or my old MKC. Lexus sure knows how to build a car. Only problem with Lexus was that you can't order a car and I couldn't get the colors and options I wanted in a reasonable amount of time...not to mention the fact that they were in such high demand, they were selling for above sticker as soon as they arrived at the dealer. Sorry...To get back on subject, I was hoping the Adaptive Suspension would help smooth things out. Will have the dealer check it out.

 

[dk4500]

For those still interested in the Adaptive Suspension conversation, took car to dealer and they tell me it’s a completely closed system with no settings or adjustments available to them or me, hence they have no idea whether it’s working or not.

 

[JB IN AZ]

For those still interested in the Adaptive Suspension conversation, took car to dealer and they tell me it’s a completely closed system with no settings or adjustments available to them or me, hence they have no idea whether it’s working or not.

Well this is disappointing, but I guess not entirety unexpected. It seems that (in my experience) Lincoln/Ford wants to keep their dealers in the dark on how to resolve owner's concerns/issues.

My Corsair does not have the adaptive suspension, but when I bought it, I thought I would have liked to have it. I was lucky to get the Corsair I did considering the low availability of new vehicles at the time, I bought an almost fully loaded example. IIRC, the adaptive suspension may have been the only option I do not have.

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[Chamana]

I have my 2023 Corsair collection 3 with active suspension. The literature says sensors and cameras survey the road in front of you and adjusts the suspension.

There are manhole covers 1/2 - 1 inch below the asphalt. The asphalt is tapered so it is usually smooth sailing over these covers with the last 6 autos I had. The Corsair sometimes goes over the manhole covers and WHAMMMM! It jars the car and the passengers. Feels like I drove in a 10 inch deep pothole. I think it’s the active suspension not sensing a 1 inch drop and doesn’t adjust the active suspension.

Anyone else have this experience? Not sure what trim level includes active suspension or is it standard? I find my self swerving like a 20 year old with a lowered car to avoid manhole covers.

Hi Kevbol,

Same situation with my 2025 Grand Touring Corsair Hybrid Plug-in. How you solve your problem? I did a check-up with de Dealer, he said everything was normal unfortunatly.

 

[Kiddoc]

I'm actually pretty happy with my GT's suspension. The ride isn't bouncy or soft, but it absorbs bumps well enough. Nothing really helps with winter induced pot holes. And it appears to level when I load it up on a trip (someone in my family insists on always packing the "kitchen sink" in the suitcase). It is far superior from a ride comfort perspective to my last car which was an Audi SQ5 with the air suspension. Of course the SQ5 is a sports SUV, but even on the softest mode it wasn't ideal. What I really miss is the adjustability of the air suspension. I could load that Audi with rocks (literally) and I could level it out. It was pretty amazing.

What is soooo frustrating about Lincoln is the lack of information on just how this thing actually works. I guess the newer generation of car owners don't care about the details so they don't bother.

Does anyone have a spec sheet or white paper on how this active suspension works?

 

[tidji74]

Driving here in MO is a good proving ground for my Reserve III. I have to say I am super-impressed with the way this thing rides. Not much more to say. It just does the job surprisingly well.

 

[furrowflipper]

I have my 2023 Corsair collection 3 with active suspension. The literature says sensors and cameras survey the road in front of you and adjusts the suspension.

There are manhole covers 1/2 - 1 inch below the asphalt. The asphalt is tapered so it is usually smooth sailing over these covers with the last 6 autos I had. The Corsair sometimes goes over the manhole covers and WHAMMMM! It jars the car and the passengers. Feels like I drove in a 10 inch deep pothole. I think it’s the active suspension not sensing a 1 inch drop and doesn’t adjust the active suspension.

Anyone else have this experience? Not sure what trim level includes active suspension or is it standard? I find my self swerving like a 20 year old with a lowered car to avoid manhole covers.

I recently took my 2023 Corsair into my local dealer (Ford) for the same issue of small bumps and railways tracks that are not 'rough' causing a wheel to hammer on the body bump stops. These are not potholes period, just imperfections in the road surface.
It is intermittent so they were of course not able to duplicate but appears to be a software issue in my mind. I am thinking that maybe a Lexus or Infinity may be in our future if this continues and no diagnosis and fix or factory 'patch' should come along. Anyone else had the same issue that was diagnosed and eliminated ?