why is my x suspension in the lowest setting after sitting

[xRide]

For long periods?

I heard it can happen if air is leaking or if I left it in access mode? What's access mode?

[TerminatorX5]

on the right side of the headlight switch is another switch, that has a picture of a car with three LEDs and an UP and DOWN buttons... that is the manual regualtion of the ground clearance. the DOWN button puts the car into ACCESS mode, when all 4 corners of the car are lowered to fascilitate the entry/exit into the car.

if your car is lower than normal by itself, without you lowering it, than something is leaking air, either the bags are defective (more likely) or the valve are bad... since all 4 are lowered at the same lavel (based on your brief description) there could be other issues... You need to have the system tested, or give us more details

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

on the right side of the headlight switch is another switch, that has a picture of a car with three LEDs and an UP and DOWN buttons... that is the manual regualtion of the ground clearance. the DOWN button puts the car into ACCESS mode, when all 4 corners of the car are lowered to fascilitate the entry/exit into the car.

if your car is lower than normal by itself, without you lowering it, than something is leaking air, either the bags are defective (more likely) or the valve are bad... since all 4 are lowered at the same lavel (based on your brief description) there could be other issues... You need to have the system tested, or give us more details

The other scenario is that the compressor is dead and can't fill the air bags any longer.

[xRide]

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

on the right side of the headlight switch is another switch, that has a picture of a car with three LEDs and an UP and DOWN buttons... that is the manual regualtion of the ground clearance. the DOWN button puts the car into ACCESS mode, when all 4 corners of the car are lowered to fascilitate the entry/exit into the car.

if your car is lower than normal by itself, without you lowering it, than something is leaking air, either the bags are defective (more likely) or the valve are bad... since all 4 are lowered at the same lavel (based on your brief description) there could be other issues... You need to have the system tested, or give us more details

whats the logic behind as soon as i unlock the car with the keyfab, the suspension raises back up?

this youtube video is exactly what happens.

BMW X5 Air Suspension waking up! - YouTube

[TerminatorX5]

the logic is simple - when the car is shut off, in about 16 minutes most modules go to sleep, including the EHCII, the height module... while the car is asleep, it is possible for the suspension air bags to leak out air, fast, slow, doesn't matter. when the car is awaken, either by the opening already not locked door, or using remote to unlock, or by any other manner (say, opening trunk lid), the car wakes, up , the modules wake up and prepare for action - the EHCII in this case is checking the hieght levels of all 4 corners and if it finds them to be off, it is using air inside a compressor holding tank to inflate the bags to prescribed height. The pump is not activated when the engine is off, so the air is coming from a holding tank. this symptom indicates that there is an issue with air bags not holding air overnight, no issue with holding tank, as it has the air stored, and no issue with the pump. the bags can be replaced using the quality Arnott bags, that many users here on the forum found to be very good quality.

[xRide]

I'm going to monitor it some more because it doesn't happen all the time and yesterday it only happened on the driver side.

But if its just one side loosing air, can I just replace that bag or I have to replace on the other side as well?

[TerminatorX5]

you can replace just one bag even though a good housekeeping would suggest replacing both. most people replace both, as the cost and labor is not significant (if you do it yourself) and it gives you a baseline for maintenance records.