OnAir Installation: In-depth Solutions to Common Issues

At OnAir, we pride ourselves on providing top-quality products. However, like any sophisticated equipment, occasional issues can arise. This guide is tailored specifically for the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y owners equipped with our air suspension, designed to help you address and rectify the most common problems swiftly.

Important Precaution: Before attempting any adjustments or jacking up the car, ensure the OnAir system is unplugged. Pull out the red plug from the system. Overlooking this step could result in the car registering error codes as the height sensors try to adjust to the change in height.

1. Knocking Noise from Front Suspension

Probable Cause: The locking ring isn’t tightened adequately.

Solution:

• Ensure your vehicle is securely raised on a lift or jack stands.
• Locate the locking ring on the air suspension.
• Using the appropriate wrench, tighten the locking ring securely. It’s essential to make sure it’s tight to prevent any twisting of the airbag.
• To monitor any future movements, make a mark on the locking ring with paint. This way, you can easily spot if it has shifted.

2. Car Sitting Lower After an Overnight Stand

Probable Cause: A leak in the line or at the strut connection.

Solution:

• Safely raise the vehicle.
• Mix soapy water in a spray bottle and spray it over all the connections.
• Observe for bubbles; these indicate a leak.
• If the airbag appears to be the source of the leak, remove it and apply “Permatex 54540 Pneumatic and Hydraulic Sealant” to the affected area and re-seal. Once it’s dry, turn the OnAir system back on.

3. Losing Pressure in the Air Tank

Probable Cause: A leak is making the compressor overwork.

Solution:

• Access the air tank and its connections.
• Spray all the connections with the soapy water mixture.
• Look for bubbles to identify the leak source.
• If the compressor valve is the culprit, apply the Permatex 54540 sealant to seal the leak. NOTE: There are 4 screws holding the cover of the OnAir system on, please check inside here for any faults as well

4. Uneven Car Stance

Probable Cause: Variations in Tesla control arms.

Solution:

• Locate the height sensor link.
• Using suitable tools, extend the sensor link by 3-5mm to achieve a balanced stance between the front and rear of the vehicle.

5. Harsh Ride

Probable Cause: Too much pressure in the air bag.

Solution:

• Test drive your vehicle in “low” mode.
• If you find the ride smoother and prefer it that way, safely raise your vehicle and locate the front strut.
• Loosen the bottom locking ring and extend the strut by 15mm.
• Re-install and test drive to note the differences. Remember, you might need to adjust the dampening settings to optimize the ride.
• Special Note on the Front Strut: To adjust the length of the front strut (not the dampening), you’ll need to loosen the bottom locking ring. This action will let you twist the fork on the strut. Once done, ensure you tighten the locking ring securely to hold the strut in its new position.

6. Clicking Noise When Turning the Steering Wheel

Probable Cause: This sound typically doesn’t come from the OnAir system but arises due to a rubber bushing from Tesla.

Solution:

• First, ensure the noise isn’t from any other components. A methodical approach will help rule out other potential causes.
• Once certain the noise is from the bushing, safely raise the car and locate the problematic rubber bushing.
• Replace Tesla’s bushing with a higher-quality one. Ensure you choose one that is known for durability and is compatible with your specific model.

Understanding Dampening and Its Significance

Dampening, in the context of vehicle suspension, refers to the process of absorbing and dissipating energy, primarily to counteract unwanted oscillations or bounces. In simpler terms, it’s what prevents your car from continuously bouncing after hitting a bump.

The Science Behind Dampening:

Vehicles, including the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, possess kinetic energy while in motion. When a car hits a bump or dip, the energy is transferred to the springs in the suspension system. Left unchecked, springs will continue to oscillate, creating a continuous up-and-down motion. Dampeners (or shock absorbers) counteract this by converting this kinetic energy into thermal energy, which is then dissipated into the surrounding atmosphere.

Adjusting the dampening settings will effectively dictate how fast or slow this energy is absorbed and dissipated. A stiffer (or more aggressive) dampening setting will absorb energy more rapidly, giving the car a more planted feel, particularly during spirited driving or cornering. Conversely, a softer setting allows for a more extended energy dissipation, offering a plusher and more comfortable ride but may feel less responsive during dynamic maneuvers.

How Dampening Settings Affect Your Tesla:

Since the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y are electric vehicles with a low center of gravity due to the battery placement, adjusting dampening settings can be especially crucial. Electric vehicles often possess more weight than their internal combustion counterparts. Thus, fine-tuning dampening can greatly influence ride quality and performance, ensuring a harmonious balance between comfort, efficiency, and dynamic handling, especially given the instant torque available.

1. Front Strut Adjustment
   • Tools Needed: 3mm Allen key.
   • Method:
     • Accessing the adjustment point on the front strut may require you to loosen some bolts to give yourself ample space. Do this carefully and note where each bolt came from.
     • Once you can see the adjustment point, use your 3mm Allen key.
     • For a stiffer ride: Turn the Allen key clockwise. This will make your car react with less “give” to bumps, which can improve cornering performance but might also make the ride feel less plush.
     • For a softer ride: Turn the Allen key anti-clockwise. This will give more cushioning from road imperfections but might feel “floatier” and less precise during aggressive driving.
     • After adjusting, ensure all previously loosened bolts are tightened back correctly.
2. Rear Strut Adjustment
   • Method:
     • Put the car into “high” mode. This elevation gives you better access to the rear strut’s adjustment point.
     • By reaching in, you’ll feel a “notch.” This is the adjustment point. Twist this notch to make your desired adjustments.
     • Just like the front, turning it clockwise will stiffen the ride, and anti-clockwise will soften it.

Note on using the Permatex 54540 Pneumatic and Hydraulic Sealant:

In the event of a leak or if you’re sealing parts during adjustments, the Permatex 54540 sealant can be invaluable. Here’s how to use it:

• Complete Removal: Before applying, you must remove the affected bolt or part entirely.
• Application: Follow the product instructions carefully for the best result.
• Drying Time: Depending on conditions, you might need to wait up to 6 hours for the sealant to dry thoroughly. This wait ensures a proper seal that’s up to the job.
• Re-installation: Once dry, you can then reinstall the part or bolt.

In summation, the proper adjustment and understanding of dampening settings in the OnAir system not only improve comfort but also the overall performance and safety of your Tesla. As always, while these guidelines provide a clear roadmap, if ever in doubt, consulting a suspension specialist or professional is the best course of action. Safe driving!

Peak Comfort “Expanded”

Achieving “peak comfort” in a Tesla Model 3 or Model Y (or any vehicle) involves addressing a multitude of factors, both from a software and hardware perspective. Here’s a comprehensive approach to optimizing comfort:

1. Suspension Settings:

Air Suspension: If your Tesla is equipped with an aftermarket air suspension like OnAir, you can adjust ride height for optimum comfort. Typically, a mid-level setting avoids being too stiff (as is often the case when too high) or too soft (when too low).

Dampening: As previously discussed, dampening can be fine-tuned to absorb road imperfections optimally. For maximum comfort, you’d likely want a setting that’s neither too stiff nor too soft. A balanced setting would absorb bumps without causing the car to feel floaty.

2. Tire Pressure and Type:

Pressure: Tesla provides recommended tire pressures for each of its vehicles. Adhering to this is essential for ride comfort. Occasionally, reducing the pressure by 1-2 PSI below the recommendation can enhance comfort, but be cautious about going too low, which can reduce efficiency and tire life.

Tire Type: Consider touring or grand touring tires which prioritize comfort. Such tires are designed to absorb more road noise and vibrations.

3. Interior Comfort:

Seats: Ensure the seats are adjusted to support the natural curvature of the spine. Utilize lumbar support if available.

Climate Control: Use the automatic climate control settings in the Tesla. The system is designed to provide a comfortable cabin temperature without excessive noise from fans or vents.

4. Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH):

Seals: Check all door and window seals. A firm seal can prevent wind noise.

Undercarriage: Use undercarriage coatings or sprays to reduce road noise entering the cabin.

5. Driving Modes and Acceleration:

Tesla vehicles offer different driving modes. For maximum comfort, choose ‘Chill’ mode which offers smoother and more gradual acceleration compared to the sportier settings.

6. Testing for Peak Comfort:

Once you’ve made adjustments, testing in a structured manner is crucial.

1. Baseline Test: Before making changes, drive your Tesla on a route with varied road conditions (highways, city streets, rough patches) and note your observations.
2. Adjust and Test: Make one adjustment at a time and take the same route, noting any differences in comfort.
3. Feedback: It can be helpful to have a passenger who provides a second perspective on ride comfort, as drivers often focus on different aspects compared to passengers.
4. Consistency: Test at different times of the day and under different weather conditions. External factors can influence ride comfort.
5. Data Collection: Use apps or devices that measure NVH to get objective data on your car’s comfort level.

Achieving peak comfort is a balance of personal preference and objective improvements. What one person finds comfortable, another might find too soft or too stiff. Regular testing and incremental adjustments, paired with objective measurements and feedback, can guide you towards a comfort setting that’s ideal for your specific needs.

NVH App Usage and Desired Results:

When using an NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) app, you’re essentially looking to minimize these three parameters to achieve peak comfort. Here’s a breakdown of what you should look for:

1. Noise: This typically measures the decibel level within the cabin.
   • Desired Result: You would want to see a lower decibel reading after making comfort adjustments. Keep in mind that noise can vary based on speed, road type, and external factors, so ensure you test under similar conditions each time.
2. Vibration: This assesses the frequencies at which vibrations occur and can point towards specific issues. Vibrations can be from tire imbalances, misalignment, or even issues with the suspension.
   • Desired Result: A reduced frequency and amplitude of vibrations after adjustments. This means fewer vibrations are reaching the cabin, and those that do are less severe.
3. Harshness: Harshness can be a bit subjective but often pertains to how “jarring” or “sharp” an impact feels from road imperfections.
   • Desired Result: After adjustments, the perception of harshness should reduce. If the app can quantify harshness (some might do so by measuring sudden jolts or vertical movement), you’d want to see fewer jarring incidents.

When assessing the results, always consider the baseline reading (before adjustments) to see if there’s a notable improvement. Your goal is to achieve consistent readings that indicate lower noise, fewer and less severe vibrations, and reduced harshness across varied driving conditions.

Remember, while objective measurements are crucial, personal comfort is subjective. Always couple the app’s data with your own experience and feedback to ensure a holistic approach to achieving “peak comfort.”

One of the most comprehensive NVH apps that professionals and enthusiasts use is the NVH For Android & iOS app by Vibrate Software, Inc.

Features and benefits of the app:

1. Vibration Analysis: This is the primary function of most NVH apps. The app uses the phone’s built-in accelerometer to measure vibrations in three dimensions. This can help in pinpointing specific issues such as imbalances or alignment problems.
2. Noise Measurement: Using the microphone, the app can analyze noises and may provide decibel readings. You can use this feature to gauge noise reductions after making adjustments.
3. Harshness: While direct measurement of harshness can be subjective and tricky, the sudden spikes in vibration (jolts) from impacts or road imperfections can be indicative of harshness. Monitoring these spikes and their frequency can provide insight into the perceived harshness of the ride.
4. Diagnostic Capabilities: The app offers some diagnostic features, helping users identify common sources of vibrations, such as tire imbalance or driveline issues.
5. Easy Interface: The graphical interface allows for easy reading of results and comparisons. It helps you visualize the changes in NVH levels after making adjustments.

However, as technology and apps are constantly evolving, I’d recommend checking the app store on your device and looking at reviews, recent updates, and the features list of any NVH app you consider. This will ensure you get the most current and suitable tool for your needs. Always remember to calibrate the app (if required) to ensure accurate readings.