Basically due to alot of questions circuilating I though I would make one definitve post containing all info about Magnetic Ride Control Technology:
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2002/05/10/140166.html

Awesome Video of the 02 STS and 03 Vette performing with Mag Ride:
http://gm.ca/media/vehicles/cadillac/showcase/innovations/mrc/video_en_CA.html

Breakaway pics of the struts and how they react to driving conditions:
http://media.gm.com/ca/gm/en/technology/te_MagneticRideControl_en.htm

The basic jist of the system:

"The shocks have the fluid filled with metallic particles and a current runs through the fluid, the current can be altered making the shocks firmer when needed. The track setting is always firmer. There are sensors in each shock that can adjust the settings, they read the cars steering, braking, cornering forces every 100th of a second and adjust the suspension accordingly.

e.g. you hit the brakes, the front shocks get a current through them to firm them up, this stops the nose diving under brakes and reduces braking distances. Likewise you corner hard, the outside wheels are firmed up to stop body roll, you accelerate hard and the rear shocks are firmed up to stop the back dropping and the nose pointing up.

Basically the system constantly adjusts to keep the car flat"

....The shocks have the fluid filled with metallic particles and a current runs through the fluid,....

Whatever source you are quoting here has it wrong; the statement is not technically or physically correct. And the piece that is wrong is "....a current runs through the fluid".

The current does not run through the fluid.

The current passes through a coil producing a magnetic field that influences the magneto-rheological (MR) fluid.

From the GM Media Online site, "The fluid's consistency can be manipulated through the precise application of electronic current, resulting in continuously variable, real-time damping." does not state where the current is applied. And the current is not applied to the fluid.

I'm not nit-picking here; simply trying to prevent propogation of technically flawed information

The interaction between the precise application of electronic current and the magneto-rheological fluid is magnetic. Period.

Happy motoring.

totally agree
i just took quotes from a non gm site
i appreciate the heads up!
mods please delete my 2nd post to avoid any confusion

:rolleyes: Six of one, half dozen the other.........The links are nice reference info for those interested in suspension development and control.

Curious that GM chose the last Seville as a MR introduction trial horse.......I'm not complaining ! BUT understand that the system, as installed on the late '02 - '03 STS, allows the owner to over-drive the car far beyond personal capability. If you're fortunate enough to own one of these units, take the time to learn how to drive it because the experience will repay you many times over. Yes, the learning curve will cost you a good set of tires. The F55 STS is a very fast, tight automobile which has surprised quite a few sports sedan drivers with its agility: It was NOT designed to be a boulevard cruiser or rolling boombox. This is a car to be driven, driven fast when possible, and enjoyed. If you're after the "Cadillac Ride", forget it: this is no Fleetwood slushbox.

2003, Thanks for digging out the info. Good file material.

It's worthwhile to note that the major impetus behind the GM acquisition of Lotus was to obtain their research on active suspension systems. Lotus was the world leader in the field. The combination of GM's magnetic fluid with the Lotus suspension data was a marriage made in heaven.

dkoz.......Years ago a Lotus was always a treat to see: rarish and exotic. Is GM, or someone, still producing a model or two ? (too lazy to Google....cleaning up after the Great Nor'easter of '08. Gawd, what a mess. Our yard looks like a giant salad. 3" of rain o/n.)

Lotus is still around.

As an owner of an F55 equipped '03 STS, I can tell you that this heavy car is very capable. As an example on how adaptive the suspension is, I have a story. While traveling down the highway at night, I had a semi pull into my lane from the right lane to the center lane. I was at about the middle of his trailer, yelled to my wife to deduct because I thought for sure her head was going to be sheared off from the trail coming at her. There were cars behind me driving too close, and cars rapidly approaching the in the left lane the last time I looked at my mirrors. I had only a split second to react; steering HARD left and smacking the gas. You could immediately feel the car stiffen up BIG time, very little body roll, VERY impressive. Moments later, back to a comfy riding sedan. We had recently purchased the car at that point, and specifically passed on good vehicles to find one with magna ride. Up until that point, I hadn't really driven the car hard enough to feel the full range of the suspension, but had done several stop light drag races where you could immediately tell the suspension stiffened up eliminating wheel hop that had been present on several other non F55 equipped STS's and ETC's I had driven in previous years. Since then, I have driven the car well beyond what I thought it was capable of on multiple ocassions. When my luxtury Michelins finally wore out, I went with a set of z rated Pirelli P-Zero Nero M+S rubber that made a huge difference. I could over drive the Michelins, but now with these Nero's I sometimes push the car beyond what I am comfortable with. Recently I had a friend looking for a Corvette, and I recommended that he look for a magna ride equipped vette. As it turn out, that's what he did and he's now completely sold on the technology. My only concern is what happens when the unit needs some sort of servicing or replacing. I'm sure the costs are huge, but I will be more than willing to pay to have that type technology to play with. Many will never push the car to points I have, thus never realizing the suspensions true capability. That being said, if you do push it that hard you will really come to appreciate and LOVE it.