Why can't we lower the vehicle when in park?

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

I'm pretty tall. The only times I ever lower my vehicle are when I'm loading something heavy into the bed, or occasionally climbing in for something, myself. So why doesn't the "manual lowering" work when the vehicle is in park? Seems pretty dumb if I'm loading something in to have to get into the vehicle, close the door, put it in drive, then lower the vehicle, put it back in park and get back out. Would be nice if I could just reach in and hit the "lower" button. Or at least not have to put it in Drive.

Is there some safety reason why this is?

Sorry if this is a dumb question or I missed the obvious answer.

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[SANZC02]

I'm pretty tall. The only times I ever lower my vehicle are when I'm loading something heavy into the bed, or occasionally climbing in for something, myself. So why doesn't the "manual lowering" work when the vehicle is in park? Seems pretty dumb if I'm loading something in to have to get into the vehicle, close the door, put it in drive, then lower the vehicle, put it back in park and get back out. Would be nice if I could just reach in and hit the "lower" button. Or at least not have to put it in Drive.

Is there some safety reason why this is?

Sorry if this is a dumb question or I missed the obvious answer.

My guess is when in park the wheels are locked, they need some freedom to move as the vehicle goes through the lowering process.

 

[Marchin_MTB]

I haven’t had that issue although I it’s true that it’s “rude” to the suspension.

it may be that instead it doesn’t want to lower because the tailgate is down?

 

[ljubitel]

Have you tried with the tailgate not being open?

 

[VSG]

You absolutely can lower when in park, but you may have to hit the brake first to turn the car "on". I just went into the garage and tested it. I was even able to get out of the car then reach in to reser the ride height.

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

it may be that instead it doesn’t want to lower because the tailgate is down?

Have you tried with the tailgate not being open?

Y'all make me walk outside to the garage in the rain to prove I'm not losing my mind, haha.

Tailgate up, vehicle in Park, "lower" option is grayed out:

Tailgate up, vehicle in Drive, "lower" option is accessible:

Without walking outside again, can you put the vehicle in Sport mode when it's in Park? Does the suspension adjust then? Or do you also have to be in Drive? Maybe something to that.

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

You absolutely can lower when in park, but you may have to hit the brake first to turn the car "on". I just went into the garage and tested it. I was even able to get out of the car then reach in to reser the ride height.

No sir. Pressing the brake pedal had no effect. Didn't "wake it up". The "lower" button stays grayed out until I put it in drive (or reverse).

See 45 second video:



Weird. #shrug

Edit: Sorry I said "gas pedal" not "accelerator pedal" in the vid. Am sure one of y'all is going to call me out on that.

 

[Dark-Fx]

I noticed this too, but didn't try to figure out why. I just put it into drive and hit the button, then back to park.

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

I noticed this too, but didn't try to figure out why. I just put it into drive and hit the button, then back to park.

Yes, and that's what I do. And I know this is totally psychological, the vehicle isn't going to start "rolling on its own" or whatever, just because I put it into Drive. But when I'm in my garage with the door closed and the cats out and I'm loading stuff into the bed, I'd prefer not to have to put it in Drive just for the convenience of loading stuff.

Again, totally psychological. Am just curious.

 

[Magicbus]

My Gen 1 R1T lowers in park. The difference is that it displays a confirmation button before it will lower. In Drive below 20 mph it lowers on demand.

 

[dduffey]

Not sure everyone is talking out the same thing (OP kneel mode vs changing ride hights), but did you try clicking the greyed out button?

From the release notes:

Enhanced Kneel Mode
Getting in and out of your vehicle just got a whole lot smoother. We've redesigned Kneel Mode to be more responsive, more accessible, and available exactly when you need it.

• ...
• You can now trigger Kneel Mode on demand via a new Quick Control option to activate the lowering process while traveling at low speeds, less than 20 mph (32 km/h).
• If Kneel Mode isn't available due to specific conditions, we'll let you know why. If the Kneel icon is greyed out in your Quick Controls, simply choose it to learn more about why Kneel is unavailable.

 

[R1Thor]

Have you tried asking your Rivian Assistant??

 

[Dark-Fx]

Not sure everyone is talking out the same thing (OP kneel mode vs changing ride hights), but did you try clicking the greyed out button?

From the release notes:

Enhanced Kneel Mode
Getting in and out of your vehicle just got a whole lot smoother. We've redesigned Kneel Mode to be more responsive, more accessible, and available exactly when you need it.

• ...
• You can now trigger Kneel Mode on demand via a new Quick Control option to activate the lowering process while traveling at low speeds, less than 20 mph (32 km/h).
• If Kneel Mode isn't available due to specific conditions, we'll let you know why. If the Kneel icon is greyed out in your Quick Controls, simply choose it to learn more about why Kneel is unavailable.

It did this morning when I made it not work because of the door being open, but the last time I had this, I am fairly sure it just made the menu go away without informing.

 

[forestwalker]

I raise and lower my Gen1 R1S in park every day when leaving/arriving home (I like the way it looks parked in highest setting, but when I leave, don't want to 19 mph restriction pulling into traffic). Although I am going between highest and high, not all the way down...

 

[VSG]

Maybe it's a Gen1 vs Gen2 thing. I have a Gen1 which I can lower in Park. I do this on the screen where you can change drive modes. I don't use the quick controls, which seem to be activating kneel mode not just ride height. That quick control button is always greyed out for me because I have kneel mode turned off.

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