
Press the CAR button on the MMI control panel, then press the SETUP button, and the option to enable or disable the lift mode will appear. You can select the "Lift" mode when the speed does not exceed 80 km/h.

I remember last time helping my friend with his Audi A8, activating the lift mode was actually quite simple. First, make sure the car is completely stopped and turned off, the key point is not to engage the handbrake! Then immediately press and hold the button on the center console with the car logo lifting up, hold it for about 5 seconds until you hear the suspension releasing air—that's when you know it's right. This mode raises the chassis to its highest position, mainly used for changing tires or driving on rough roads. However, be careful not to drive fast, as it automatically deactivates when exceeding 35 km/h. Before driving off, don't forget to press and hold the button to exit the mode, otherwise driving with the chassis suspended can easily damage components. I think using the mechanical key to open the trunk might also activate emergency lift mode.

When lifting with air suspension, pay special attention to safety procedures. After parking the car, do not turn off the engine immediately. Shift to P gear, then directly tap the 'Vehicle' setting on the screen, find the 'Suspension' option, and there will be a jack icon button—just tap to confirm. This design is actually quite user-friendly, preventing accidental activation. It's important to note that before any maintenance, you must manually lock the suspension; otherwise, when the jack lifts the car, the air struts might suddenly lose pressure and drop. I've seen cases where repair shops didn't activate the lift mode, causing the chassis to suddenly settle and bend the hydraulic supports. Never use this feature at high speeds; it's only suitable for occasional emergencies on bumpy roads.

Audi's air suspension logic is quite clever. The lift mode essentially turns off the active suspension and releases the air spring pressure. The operation involves just three steps: park the car, turn off the engine while keeping it powered, then simultaneously press and hold the suspension height button on the driver's door panel and the CAR button in front of the center console for 3 seconds. The instrument cluster will display a yellow lift icon. In this state, you can use a jack to lift the car, as the system cuts off the air pump to prevent accidental inflation. It's particularly useful for raising the chassis by about 4 cm before crossing deep puddles. However, remember not to keep it active for more than two hours, as prolonged use may deplete the accumulator pressure.


