Set the Air Suspension to Jack Mode

Before you jack up or lift your Maserati Levante (2016–2024), the air (self-levelling) suspension must be put into its jacking/wheel-replacement mode. Otherwise the system keeps trying to level the car and can fight the jack or be damaged. You set it from the dashboard menu. This is a normal, built-in service function — every air-suspension Levante has it — and it’s the correct first step any time the wheels are going to leave the ground, whether you’re changing a punctured tyre at the roadside, rotating wheels, or raising the car on a lift or axle stands at home.

Why It Matters

With self-levelling suspension, the car constantly adjusts ride height. Lifting it without disabling that can stress the air struts and trigger faults. Always activate jacking mode first. The suspension works by pumping air into or bleeding it out of the struts to keep the body at a set height. When you raise one corner or the whole car, the height sensors see the change and the compressor and valves react as if the car has sagged — adding or dumping air against the jack. Jacking mode simply tells the system to hold still while the wheels are off the ground.

First, a Few Checks

• Park on firm, level ground and apply the parking brake before you do anything else.
• Switch the ignition on so the multifunction display is live and the menu is available.
• Have your jack, axle stands and wheel chocks ready before you activate the mode.
• Do this before you place the jack — not after the car is already lifting.
• Keep the doors closed where possible so the system isn’t re-triggered while you work.

Activating Jacking Mode

1. Use the multifunction display.
2. Select ‘Settings’ and scroll through the menu.
3. Select ‘Suspension’.
4. Select ‘Wheel replacement mode’, then ‘ON’.
5. The air suspension is now disabled — you can safely jack or lift the vehicle.

If the Mode Won’t Activate

• Make sure the ignition is on and the display is fully awake — the option may be greyed out otherwise.
• Confirm the car is stationary with the parking brake applied; the system may refuse the mode while it thinks the car could move.
• Scroll the full Settings list — the ‘Suspension’ entry can sit further down than expected.
• If an existing suspension warning is already showing, the mode may be blocked until the fault is addressed.
• Wait a moment after selecting ON for the system to settle before you start lifting.

Afterwards

• Lower the car, then drive off — the suspension re-levels automatically (the mode also cancels with speed).
• Once you’re rolling, let the car settle to its normal ride height before driving at speed.
• If a suspension warning stays on, it can store a code — look it up on autodtcs.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I put a Levante in jack mode?

From the multifunction display, choose Settings, scroll to Suspension, then select Wheel replacement mode and switch it ON. The air suspension is then held and disabled so you can jack or lift the car without it fighting the jack. Do this before you position the jack.

Do I need a tool?

No — it’s a dashboard-menu setting, so no tools are needed to activate it. You’ll of course still need your jack, axle stands and wheel chocks to raise the car itself, but putting the suspension into wheel-replacement mode is done entirely through the display with the ignition on.

What happens if I jack it without doing this?

The air suspension keeps trying to level the car. As you lift, the height sensors register the change and the system pumps or bleeds air against the jack, which can stress the air struts, unsettle the car on the jack and set suspension faults. Activating jacking mode first avoids all of that.

How do I turn it back off?

You don’t need to switch it off manually. The mode cancels automatically once you drive the car, and it also cancels with speed, after which the suspension re-levels to its normal ride height on its own. Just lower the car, remove your equipment and drive away gently.

The suspension warning is still on — what now?

If a suspension light stays lit after you’ve finished and driven off, the system may have logged a fault rather than simply staying in jacking mode. Let the car re-level first; if the warning persists, have the stored code read. You can look up what it means on autodtcs.com.

If a suspension fault light appears, decode the code on autodtcs.com.