What is PASM? Porsche Active Suspension Management

What is PASM? Porsche Active Suspension Management explained

What is Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM)? Discover how Porsche PASM continuously adjusts suspension damping to enhance comfort and performance

February 7, 2025 | 3 min read

Porsche 911 Carrera in Lugano Blue on twisting German road

Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) is an electronic damping system developed by Porsche to enhance both performance and comfort. It continuously adjusts the dampers according to road conditions and the selected driving mode

Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM): fast facts

PASM stands for Porsche Active Suspension Management an electronic damping system developed by Porsche.

PASM continuously adjusts the dampers according to road conditions and the selected driving mode.

Sensors monitor factors including steering, acceleration, braking and road conditions, allowing the suspension settings to be adjusted in milliseconds.

PASM can provide comfort- or sports-oriented damping, as well as settings in between.

PASM Sport is available on certain 911 models and lowers the vehicle by 10mm with a more sport-oriented damper setting.

What is Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM)?

Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) is a Porsche-developed technology that’s designed to enhance both performance and comfort.

How does PASM work?

PASM is suspension technology that constantly makes adjustments to the dampers on your Porsche. It actively and continuously controls the damping force according to the road condition and driving mode you choose. Traditionally, dampers – also known as shock absorbers – could either provide comfort or be suited to dynamic driving.

The PASM dampers, however, can do everything from sports- to comfort-oriented damping as well nuanced levels in between. Some have described it as being a bit like having a co-driver in your car, constantly reading the road and adjusting the dampers immediately. Sensors monitor such variables as steering input, how you accelerate and brake and the road conditions, for example. PASM can then automatically adjust the suspension settings for the appropriate handling and ride quality in just milliseconds.

Technical image of steel spring with PASM in Porsche Macan — This cutaway image shows a steel spring with Porsche Active Suspension Management in the 2025 Porsche Macan Photo: Porsche

How do you control PASM from your Porsche?

For current models, you can choose the chassis settings for PASM via the instrument cluster on your Porsche. The appropriate button has the logo of a shock absorber. Click this and you will be able to switch between the different modes. You can also access the chassis options using the Porsche Communication Manager (PCM) to then switch between the PASM driving modes. For older models of Porsche fitted with PASM, please refer to the original owners’ manual for full details.

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What is PASM Sport?

On certain 911 models (as of January 2025), an enhanced PASM system – called PASM Sport – is available. This reduces the vehicle height by 10mm and has a more sport-oriented damper setting, which further improves the dynamic driving experience, particularly when driving on the track.

911 GTS models, for example, come with the PASM sports suspension as standard. It incorporates firmer springs, specially-tuned dampers and GTS-specific anti-roll bars which compensate for the weight of the hybrid system and enhance the trademark Porsche agility and balance characteristics.

Porsche 911 Carrera in Lugano Blue drives through a bend — With PASM, your car makes real-time adjustments based on your driving and the conditions by automatically adjusting damping forces to each of the four shock absorbers Photo: Porsche

How do Porsche driving modes affect PASM?

Porsche driving modes are different depending on the Porsche car you drive. In the 911, for example, there are five settings available: Normal, Sport, Sport +, Wet and Individual. Switching to these adjusts the damper settings accordingly. For example, Normal provides supple suspension characteristics, while Sport + stiffens the suspension (while also affecting other characteristics, like quicker gear shifts and throttle response), so is particularly suited to track driving.

Meanwhile, in the Taycan there are three main driving modes – Range (perfect for efficient and consumption-optimised driving); Normal (great for everyday use) and Sport (for higher, dynamic performance).

For Taycan cars fitted with the Sport Chrono package there are two more options – Sport Plus and Individual. Select the former for even more dynamic performance while the latter allows you to configure settings to your individual needs. For Taycan Cross Turismo drivers there’s an additional driving mode – gravel – for help driving on unpaved, gravelly or muddy roads.

FAQs

What does PASM stand for?
PASM stands for Porsche Active Suspension Management.

What does Porsche PASM do?
PASM continuously controls the damping force according to road conditions and the selected driving mode, helping enhance both comfort and performance.

How quickly does PASM adjust the suspension?
Using information from sensors including steering, acceleration, braking and road conditions, PASM can adjust the suspension settings in milliseconds.

What is PASM Sport?
PASM Sport is an enhanced PASM system available on certain 911 models. It lowers the vehicle by 10mm and uses a more sport-oriented damper setting.

How do you change PASM settings?
On current Porsche models, PASM chassis settings can be selected through the instrument cluster or Porsche Communication Manager (PCM).

Article updated in August 2026

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