Set the Air Suspension to Jack Mode

Before you raise your Bentley Continental GT / GTC (393/394, 2011–2017) on a jack or a lift, the air suspension has to be switched into its jacking mode. This is a normal, built-in function on this generation — not a workaround and not a sign of any fault — and using it is the difference between a clean lift and a car that fights you the whole way up. On the 393/394 it is activated with a simple two-button sequence on the centre console, and this guide walks through exactly how to arm it, confirm it, and cancel it again afterwards.

Why This Car Needs a Jacking Mode

The air suspension on the Continental is self-levelling: pressurised air struts at each corner constantly adjust ride height to keep the body level regardless of load, and the system stays awake for a period even after you switch off. The moment you start lifting one corner, the ride-height sensors read that corner as “too high” and the system responds by bleeding or adding air to correct it. On a jack, that means the car can shift as you lift, the struts work against the load they were never meant to carry unsupported, and the control module can log a ride-height or level-control fault. Jacking mode simply tells the suspension to stop levelling and hold station, so the car sits still while you raise it. It is the same reason the handbook expects you to arm it before any wheel-off work, tyre change, or underbody access.

First, a Few Checks

• Park on firm, level ground and apply the parking brake before doing anything else.
• Have the ignition on — the two-button sequence needs the electrical system live to register.
• Make sure the doors are closed and the car is settled, so the suspension isn’t mid-adjustment when you arm the mode.
• Position your jack or lift points first, so you can lift promptly once the display confirms the mode.
• Keep the key with you and don’t drive off while lifted — motion cancels the mode automatically.

Activating Jacking Mode

1. Turn the ignition on.
2. Press and hold button (1) and, at the same time, press button (2).
3. Keep both buttons pressed for about 5 seconds.
4. The display shows ‘JACKING UP MODE’ — you can now safely raise the car.

Turning It Off

• Repeat the two-button sequence for about 5 seconds, or
• Simply drive off — it cancels with road speed and the suspension re-levels itself.

If It Won’t Arm

• Confirm the ignition is genuinely on, not just in accessory — the module won’t accept the command otherwise.
• Hold both buttons for the full five seconds; releasing early is the most common reason the display never changes.
• Make sure you are pressing the correct pair of suspension buttons together, not in sequence.
• Let the car sit still for a moment first — if it’s still self-levelling from a recent stop, wait for it to settle and try again.
• A weak or partly discharged battery can stop the sequence registering; make sure the electrical system is healthy.
• If ‘JACKING UP MODE’ never appears, do not lift the car — have the level-control system checked first.

Once It’s Done

With the mode armed the suspension holds its height and stays quiet while you work; you shouldn’t hear the compressor cycling or feel the body chasing the jack. Once you lower the car and drive away, the system re-levels on its own within the first stretch of road, so the ride settles back to normal without any further input. If the mode was cancelled by driving, there is nothing extra to reset.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I put a Continental GT (393) in jack mode?

Switch the ignition on, then press and hold both suspension buttons together for about five seconds until the display reads ‘JACKING UP MODE’. That confirms the self-levelling is paused and the car is safe to raise. Releasing the buttons too early is the usual reason it doesn’t take.

Do I need any tools?

No. Arming jacking mode is done entirely with the two buttons on the centre console — there is no diagnostic tool, menu code, or workshop equipment involved. You only need your normal jack or lift and the ignition switched on to activate it.

What happens if I jack it without this mode?

The self-levelling system keeps trying to correct ride height as you lift, so the car can shift on the jack, the air struts are stressed in a way they aren’t designed for, and the control module may store a ride-height or level-control fault. Always arm the mode first to avoid this.

How do I cancel jacking mode?

Either repeat the same two-button sequence for around five seconds, or simply drive off — the mode cancels automatically once the car is moving and the suspension re-levels itself. There is no separate reset needed after a normal drive away.

Will jacking mode drain the battery?

It is only meant to be used for the duration of the lift, not left armed for long periods. Because the ignition is on while the mode is active, leaving it running for hours would draw on the battery, so cancel it and switch off once you have finished the job.

Why did the mode cancel on its own?

The most common reason is that the car moved — any road speed cancels the mode by design and the suspension re-levels. It can also drop out if the ignition is switched off. If it cancels while stationary and untouched, have the level-control system inspected before relying on it.

If a suspension or ride-height warning light appears on the display, you can decode the fault code on autodtcs.com.