A spring and damping arrangement for adjusting the spring rate and the driving position of a motorcycle includes a series circuit having at least one helical spring, an air spring unit, and a hydraulic actuating element. The spring rate of the air spring unit is changeable as a function of a force acting from the outside on the spring and damping arrangement, such that the driving position change resulting from the applied force is compensated by the hydraulic loading of the hydraulic actuating element, such that a defined driving position can be adjusted or maintained.

A method of maneuvering a vehicle in reverse for attachment to a trailer including: receiving, at a user interface in communication with the neural network, an indication of a vehicle hitch ball location; receiving an indication of a selected trailer hitch receiver location; determining, a vehicle path from an initial position to a final position adjacent the trailer, the vehicle path including maneuvers configured to move the vehicle along the vehicle path from the initial position to the final position; autonomously following the vehicle path from the initial position; stopping the vehicle at an intermediate position before reaching the final position, the intermediate position being closer to the final position than the initial position; modifying the vehicle suspension to align a vehicle hitch with a trailer hitch; autonomously following the vehicle path from the intermediate position to the final position; and finally connecting the vehicle hitch with the trailer hitch.

Some embodiments may provide a method for a desired operating environment. A signal to place a vehicle in a designated mode corresponding to a desired operating environment may be received. The designated mode may include modifications to one or more default operating characteristics of the vehicle. The modifications may be while the vehicle is in parked mode and a vehicle access key associated with the vehicle is within proximity of the vehicle. In response to receiving the signal, characteristics of the vehicle to be modified in order to create the desired operating environment may be identified. The default operating characteristics may relate to lighting or displays controlled by the vehicle, sounds controlled by the vehicle, or a passive entry system of the vehicle. One or more settings of the vehicle to change the default operating characteristics of the vehicle while in the designated mode may be modified.

A method for analyzing and managing a vehicle load carried by a vehicle, the vehicle having a fluid suspension system, the method including sampling, at a manifold of the fluid suspension system, a set of fluid pressure corresponding to a set of fluid springs of the fluid suspension system, wherein the set of fluid springs supports the vehicle load; determining an existing stiffness distribution, the existing stiffness distribution including a stiffness value associated with each of the set of fluid springs; determining a contextual dataset during vehicle operation; determining a desired stiffness distribution based on the contextual dataset; automatically controlling the set of fluid springs at the plurality of actuation points based on the desired stiffness distribution, wherein controlling the set of fluid springs includes setting the stiffness value of the fluid spring associated with each of the plurality of actuation points.

A method and apparatus are disclosed that assist a user in performing proper setup of a vehicle suspension. A user may utilize a device equipped with an image sensor to assist the user in proper setup of a vehicle suspension. The device executes an application that prompts the user for input and instructs the user to perform a number of steps for adjusting the suspension components. In one embodiment, the application does not communicate with sensors on the vehicle. In another embodiment, the application may communicate with various sensors located on the vehicle to provide feedback to the device during the setup routine. In one embodiment, the device may analyze a digital image of a suspension component to provide feedback about a physical characteristic of the component.

A device for indicating a replacement time of a composite leaf spring constantly monitors durability of the composite leaf spring, which is formed by mixing unidirectional glass fiber and epoxy resin, and informs a driver of an appropriate replacement time of the composite leaf spring based on the monitoring result.

A vehicle includes a sensor configured to detect a first road feature, an adjustable suspension system, and a processing device. The processing device is configured to determine, using a drive history map, a location of the vehicle based on the first road feature and apply a suspension profile to the suspension system. The suspension profile is associated with a second road feature identified by the drive history map, which is at a different location from the first road feature.

A damping control system for a vehicle having a suspension located between a plurality of ground engaging members and a vehicle frame includes at least one adjustable shock absorber having an adjustable damping characteristic. The system also includes a controller coupled to each adjustable shock absorber to adjust the damping characteristic of each adjustable shock absorber, and a user interface coupled to the controller and accessible to a driver of the vehicle. The user interface includes at least one user input to permit manual adjustment of the damping characteristic of the at least one adjustable shock absorber during operation of the vehicle. Vehicle sensors are also be coupled to the controller to adjust the damping characteristic of the at least one adjustable shock absorber based vehicle conditions determined by sensor output signals.

A method and apparatus are disclosed that assist a user in performing proper setup of a vehicle suspension. A user may utilize a device equipped with an image sensor to assist the user in proper setup of a vehicle suspension. The device executes an application that prompts the user for input and instructs the user to perform a number of steps for adjusting the suspension components. In one embodiment, the application does not communicate with sensors on the vehicle. In another embodiment, the application may communicate with various sensors located on the vehicle to provide feedback to the device during the setup routine. In one embodiment, the device may analyze a digital image of a suspension component to provide feedback about a physical characteristic of the component.

A damping control system for a vehicle having a suspension located between a plurality of ground engaging members and a vehicle frame includes at least one adjustable shock absorber having an adjustable damping characteristic. The system also includes a controller coupled to each adjustable shock absorber to adjust the damping characteristic of each adjustable shock absorber, and a user interface coupled to the controller and accessible to a driver of the vehicle. The user interface includes at least one user input to permit manual adjustment of the damping characteristic of the at least one adjustable shock absorber during operation of the vehicle. Vehicle sensors are also be coupled to the controller to adjust the damping characteristic of the at least one adjustable shock absorber based vehicle conditions determined by sensor output signals.