Active Air Dam (AAD) - Overview: Overview

The AAD is a mechatronic system consisting of a AAD blade (plastic spoiler plate), dual electrical motors working in tandem, and associated driving linkage, which are all integral to the front bumper assembly. It is used to improve fuel economy by reducing aerodynamic drag on the vehicle while it is in motion.

The AAD blade articulates up and down, primarily based on vehicle speed. It is lowered (extended) for aerodynamic drag reduction and fuel economy savings and raised (retracted) during some driving conditions to protect the part from physical damage due to debris and/or rough terrain. It should be fully retracted when vehicle is stationary. AAD system receives its position commands from the PCM, via the LIN.

The AAD system must complete up/down end stop learning (self-calibration) every power up, in order to correctly interpret position commands and achieve the desired position. It initiates this self-calibration sequence whenever the engine is started, fully retracting while the vehicle is stopped. It will not complete the self-calibration sequence until the AAD blade is fully extended, which will only happen when the vehicle is moving at 72 kph (45 mph) or greater for 15 seconds, before being positioned to the desired opening position, as requested by the PCM.

A vehicle may or may not be fitted with an AAD hardware system, depending on vehicle type, target market, front end packaging and underhood/powertrain hardware components installed.