Bouncy Suspension Model S

[TommyMax]

I have a new 2021 Long-Range Model S. I find the suspension to be very "bouncy," and I do not find much difference between the available suspension options (Comfort, Auto, Sport, Advanced (and the settings within Advanced)). It gives me a headache at times, and my wife has noticed when she rides as a passenger. It is true that I was used to a fairly stiff suspension in my prior car, but I travel a lot and I drive rental cars of many makes and models; in comparison I find the Tesla suspension to be unusually "bouncy."

Do others have this experience, and does anyone have any tips of settings or adjustments I may not have tried to make the ride more comfortable?

 

[SoCalDude]

I am also experiencing similar symptoms and I was suspicious of the suspension. I am not sure if there is a fix or setting that will help from getting this feeling.

 

[oktane]

you could try lower tire pressure

 

[DBV1]

After owning my Model S for just over a week, I concur with your statement. It gives me a slight headache too. There is just something about the suspension and the EV maybe that make for a bouncy ride. Even our dog, which falls right asleep in cars, can’t sleep at all in my Tesla. On one 30 minute drive she was shaking. Wish I could figure out what is causing this or if it is just normal. Being a first time Tesla owner, I can’t tell what is normal or not.

I just know in my BMW 5 Series the ride was as smooth as could be.

 

[Jabbahop]

coming from a Raven model, I also find the new suspension is stiffer (bouncier) in all the settings. I am hoping there is a break in period where it softens or is a software update where it is tuned to be a bit more like the Raven - at least on comfort mode.

 

[oktane]

After owning my Model S for just over a week, I concur with your statement. It gives me a slight headache too. There is just something about the suspension and the EV maybe that make for a bouncy ride. Even our dog, which falls right asleep in cars, can’t sleep at all in my Tesla. On one 30 minute drive she was shaking. Wish I could figure out what is causing this or if it is just normal. Being a first time Tesla owner, I can’t tell what is normal or not.

I just know in my BMW 5 Series the ride was as smooth as could be.

The acceleration braking can make dogs nervous and humans queasy. Use chill mode

 

[DBV1]

The acceleration braking can make dogs nervous and humans queasy. Use chill mode

Thanks - so use Chill mode all the time? I still don’t get the difference between the the three modes. Have played around with it a little. Read manual about 4 times now on everything. LOL

 

[Jabbahop]

Thanks - so use Chill mode all the time? I still don’t get the difference between the the three modes. Have played around with it a little. Read manual about 4 times now on everything. LOL

I’ve tried Chill and no difference for me.

 

[DBV1]

I’ve tried Chill and no difference for me.

I just tried Chill mode with dog in the car and unfortunately no difference either. Bummer!

 

[TheFunStarts]

Same here. Just took delivery of a 2022 S and find no difference in the ride comfort settings.

 

[oktane]

Hmm I figured it was the acceleration profile, but maybe the dog is hearing some high pitch sounds?

I’ve noticed dogs in my car not liking it too but they have no problem in ICE cars.

 

[Jabbahop]

I asked Service and they said the suspension is different than Raven and they don’t have any way of adjusting but can send feedback back to engineering.

I played with the advanced settings and it shows a big difference in damping between sport and comfort but g levels seem about the same magnitude on the same road (but not same section) and speed.

 

[DBV1]

Hmm I figured it was the acceleration profile, but maybe the dog is hearing some high pitch sounds?

I’ve noticed dogs in my car not liking it too but they have no problem in ICE cars.

That is what I am guessing too, that they are hearing a high pitch sound. I think I might even hear it. Like a constant drumming. My wife hears nothing though.

 

[DBV1]

I have my refresh S in for some QC fixes today and brought up the bouncy feeling. I think it is quite noticeable on some roads.

Tesla gave me an older P90D Model S and I thought it drove extremely smooth. I would be happy if my car drove that smoothly and think dog would be too. I don’t think that model has air suspension either, but could be wrong.

Also liked that on the P90D that it showed album art/radio stations on the console and also had more options to customize the console behind the steering while. How can new Model S not have that? Also - was surprised it had AM radio too and can’t figure out why new Model S would not have that. Strange.

 

[oktane]

New model S suspension is at least as good as pre-Raven, if not better

 

[TheFunStarts]

Has anyone received or heard of a fix for the lack of Comfort suspension? I too feel no difference between Comfort, sport or any manual settings. Feels like Sport at all times.

 

[oktane]

For me comfort gets uncomfortably soft. The car will never be smooth like a Mercedes. Ironically the sports setting seems far more comfortable to me.

 

[nomz15]

I felt it to be best in comfort mode + lowest ride height. It’s still a “jumpy” suspension

 

[emailforbrett]

Has anyone received or heard of a fix for the lack of Comfort suspension? I too feel no difference between Comfort, sport or any manual settings. Feels like Sport at all times.

I took mine to the service center. They drove it twice and told me the ride is different but it is very subtle. I hate the rough ride and cannot tell the difference in my ass between sport or comfort.

 

[DBV1]

If mine comes back the same from the service center, then I will just sell the car. Hard to explain, but is bouncy and pulling. I have heard some say that is the performance/sporty ride of the car, but I have had plenty of performance cars and none have done that and still had a great ride too.

I just hope they fix it, but don’t have much faith, since others have reported similar.