Operating Instructions

ECS air suspension

Rear air suspension

T0010203
 Contents
Trucks with air suspension ................................................................. 1
Introduction ......................................................................................... 1
Equipment in the cab .......................................................................... 1
Remote control box ........................................................................ 2
Lamps and symbols ........................................................................ 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 axle’s lifting bellows ..... 16

Loading and unloading ..................................................................... 17

General .............................................................................................. 17
Ride height control ........................................................................... 18
Changing the height with the control box .................................. 18
Height memories for loading and unloading ................................... 20
Storing a height in the memory ................................................... 20
Retrieving a height from the memory ......................................... 21
Quick unloading ................................................................................ 22
Using the air suspension with the ignition turned off ..................... 23
Loading and unloading with the main switch off ............................ 25

Index .................................................................................................... 31
 Trucks with air suspension 1

Introduction
This truck is equipped with rear air suspen-
sion and therefore has air bellows in place
of rear leaf springs. The amount of air in
the bellows can be regulated, and deter-
mines the ride height.

The air suspension is electronically con-

trolled (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 Bogie elevation lamp 4 Diff lock switch and bogie switch

2 Driver display 5 Remote control box
3 Information lamps and indication
lamps
2 Trucks with air suspension

Remote control box

Control button
To specify air suspension function:

• Top position, manual adjustment. For

manual adjustment and use of memo-
ries.
• Centre position, drive position. For
normal
driving.
• Lower position, ride height adjust- T7008397
ment. For changing the height of the
frame above
ground level in driving position.

Adjustment switch
To raise or lower the truck.

T7008404

Memory switch
To store or retrieve a memory.

T7008408
 Trucks with air suspension 3

Lamps and symbols

Bogie lamp
The bogie lamp is lit when:

• The bogie axle is lifted. T3014468

• The load distribution between the driv- Bogie elevation lamp

ing 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.
4 Trucks with air suspension

Driver display

Lamp on Driver display Meaning Action

instrument panel
The control button is Put control
in the upper or button in centre
lower position. position.
Note! Drive very
carefully when the
symbol is displayed.
If the control button Check that the air
is in the centre suspension is
position the air sus- locked:
pension is in locked Turn the ignition key
position. to the stop position
(0) and then back to
the drive position
(1). If the symbol
remains on the
display the air sus-
pension is locked.
Please refer to
“Functions in locked
position” page 16.
 Trucks with air suspension 5

Lamp on Driver display Meaning Action

instrument panel
Truck is not in drive Check that
position. the control button is
in the centre posi-
tion 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 ex-
ceeding 30km/h to a
Volvo
workshop or contact
Volvo Action Ser-
vice.
CHECK THE AIR There is a fault in Check whether the
SUSPENSION AT the air suspension. fault is active at the
THE NEXT STOP next stop:
Turn the ignition
key to the stop posi-
tion (0) and then
back to the drive po-
sition (1). If the
message remains on
the display the fault
remains. Please refer
to “Functions in
locked position”
page 16.
6 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 distri-
bution of load between the driving axle and
the bogie axle” page 8.

Important! Take care with snow chains on

the drive axle’s inner wheels. This could
damage the air suspension.

Warning! Shut off the electronic air

suspension system when using outrig-
gers, 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 7

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 in-
strument panel lights up and will continue
to show as long as the switch is in the up-
per position.

The bogie axle will not lift if the pressure

on the drive axle exceeds the axle pressure
limit.
T7008416
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 be-
tween the driving axle and the bogie axle” T3014468

page 8. 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
truck’s total height.

Lowering the bogie axle

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

T7008420
8 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 trans-
fers weight to the driving axle. This
manoeuvre can be used, for example, in or-
der 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 be-

tween 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 be-
T7008415
tween the axles in order to attain the best
possible road holding with respect to the
load.
 Driving a truck with air suspension 9

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 pres-
sure limit. The bogie lamp flashes.

When the speed increases to over 30 T7008415

km/h the drive axle pressure decreases

to the axle pressure limit again.

4 Press the lower part of the bogie switch a

third time.
The air bellows for the bogie axle are in-
flated 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 be-
tween 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 acti-
vated. The function distributes the pressure
between the axles in order to attain the best
T7008415
possible road holding with respect to the
load.

To go back to normal driving:

1 Put the bogie switch in the centre po-

sition

2 Disengage the diff lock

T7008420
 Driving a truck with air suspension 11

Lashing the truck for ferry transport

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

T5012418

2 Put the control switch in the upper posi-

tion,
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
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 posi-

tion, 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 but-
ton is put in the upper position or the lower
T7008397
position and then back in the centre posi-
tion again.
 Driving a truck with air suspension 13

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 posi-

tion,
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
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 posi-
tion, drive position.

T7008397
 Driving a truck with air suspension 15

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 posi-

tion,
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 posi-

tion, drive position.

T7008397
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 sus-
pension 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
axle’s bellows is adjusted at the same
time as the air in the drive axle is ad-
justed.
• The bottom position regulates the left T7008397
side.

Adjust the height with the adjustment

switch.

Adjust the amount of air in the bogie axle’s lifting bellows

Drain the lifting bellows by pressing the
bogie button downwards.

T7008415
 Loading and unloading 17

General
The air suspension system must be active
during all loading and unloading. It is ac-
tive 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 un-
loading with the main switch off” page 25.

Warning! Shut off the electronic air

suspension system when using outrig-
gers, 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.
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 posi-

tion,
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 19

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
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 posi-

tion,
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 21

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 posi-

tion,
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
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 suspen-
sion could be damaged otherwise.

1 Put the control switch in the upper posi-

tion,
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 automati-
cally. 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 posi-

tion,
manual control.

T7008399

3 Turn the starter key to the stop position.

The air suspension can be regulated manu-

ally 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 posi-

tion, drive position.

T7008397
 Loading and unloading 25

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 po-
sition:

1 Put the control switch in the upper posi-

tion,
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
26 Loading and unloading

4 Put the control button in the centre posi-

tion, drive position.

T7008397

5 Turn off the main switch.

 Loading and unloading 27

Before unloading
Lower the rear suspension to its lowest po-
sition:
1 Put the control switch in the upper posi-
tion,
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 posi-

tion, drive position.

T7008397
5 Turn off the main switch.
28 Loading and unloading
Loading and unloading 29
30 Loading and unloading
 Index 31

Index
Loading and unloading . . . . . 17
A
ADR traffic . . . . . . . . . . 25 M
Main switch off . . . . . . . . 25
B Manual control . . . . . . . . . 18
Bogie
lift . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 O
lowering . . . . . . . . . . 7 Outriggers on superstructures 6, 17
Bogie elevation lamp . . . . . . 3 P
Plough . . . . . . . . . . 6, 17
C
Control box, use . . . . . . . . 18 Q
Quick unloading . . . . . . . . 22
D
Distribution of load . . . . . . . 8 R
Driver display . . . . . . . . . 4 Remote control box . . . . . . . 2
Driving a truck with air suspension 6 Retrieving a height from the mem-
ory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
E Ride height
ECS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
ECS air suspension . . . . . . . 1 factory-set . . . . . . . . . . 15
Empty the bellows . . . . . . . 11 new . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Equipment in the cab . . . . . . 1 S
Error messages . . . . . . . . . 4 Slippery roads . . . . . . . . . 6
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . 6
F Storing a height in the memory . 20
Ferry transport . . . . . . . . . 11
Superstructure . . . . . . . 6, 17
H Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Hazardous goods . . . . . . . . 25
Hydraulic outriggers . . . . 6, 17 T
Trucks with air suspension . . . 1
I
Ignition off . . . . . . . . . . 23 U
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . 1 Unloading . . . . . . . . . . . 17

L W
lashing . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Winter roads . . . . . . . . . . 6
Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
 Volvo Truck Corporation
Göteborg, Sweden

20 159833 English .01.2002 Printed in Sweden