Polestar 2 Öhlins Shock Absorber Gold Knob Click Settings Track vs City Australia

When you first twist that little gold knob on your Polestar 2’s Öhlins damper, you’re not just changing a setting—you’re choosing between two completely different cars.

The Performance Pack transforms the Polestar 2 into something special, but those 22 clicks of adjustment are meaningless if you don’t know where to set them. Australian roads throw everything at you: smooth highways, patchy suburban streets, and the occasional “what was that?” pothole. Here’s what actually works Down Under.

TL;DR

The Öhlins dampers on the Polestar 2 Performance Pack are manually adjustable via gold knobs at each wheel . Polestar recommends three settings: Track (1 front / 2 rear), Nominal (8/8), and Comfort (18/20) . For Australian city driving, most owners settle somewhere between 11 and 14 clicks to balance comfort and control on rougher roads . The closer to 0, the stiffer the damper becomes—always turn clockwise to zero first, then count clicks anticlockwise to your target . Check your settings upon delivery: multiple owners report factory inconsistencies where left and right sides didn’t match .

How the Öhlins Adjustment Actually Works

The Gold Knob Explained

Each of the four dampers has a small gold adjustment knob. The front knobs sit at the bottom of the shock absorber near the wheel—you can reach them by turning the steering wheel fully to one side . The rear knobs are hidden above each wheel inside the wheel housing, requiring you to loosen the liner and reach up to find them .

The critical rule: Turn the knob clockwise (viewed from below for fronts, viewed from above for rears) until it stops. That’s position 0. The closer to 0, the stiffer the damper. Then turn anticlockwise to count clicks to your desired setting .

Don’t overtighten at position 0. You’ll damage the damper. It should stop firmly, not require gorilla strength .

The “Clicks” Are Real (But Subtle)

Each click is a distinct adjustment position. You should feel and hear a soft click as you turn . One owner noted the clicks are “very soft”—don’t expect a loud mechanical snap . Count carefully. The difference between 8 and 9 is noticeable, but you won’t feel it if you’re not paying attention during adjustment.

Polestar’s Official Recommended Settings

Position	Front (Clicks)	Rear (Clicks)	Best For
Track	1	2	Smooth circuits, active driving
Nominal	8	8	Daily driving, factory default
Comfort	18	20	Rough roads, maximum compliance

Source: Polestar official manual .

Track mode makes the suspension “stiffer” and is designed for “smoother roads or during active driving” . Comfort mode provides “softer suspension that minimises road irregularities while maintaining control” . Nominal sits between them as the factory balance.

Australian Reality: Why 8/8 Isn’t Always Right

The Factory Setting Problem

Polestar ships cars with Nominal settings, but “factory settings may vary between different markets” . Australian cars should arrive at 8/8, but owners have found inconsistencies.

One forum member discovered their rear dampers were set to 6 clicks on one side and 1 click on the other—and they drove like that for six months before noticing . Another found rears at 12 and 10, fronts at 11 and 9 . Check your settings immediately. Don’t assume they’re correct.

Why Australian Roads Change the Equation

Australian suburban roads are rougher than European motorways. An Automotive Daily review tested the full range and found that 18/20 settings suited “the pitted and weird asphalt in this country” better than stiffer settings .

At 8/8, the Polestar 2 feels “taut” and “firm”—great on smooth highways, but busy on patchy suburban streets . The good news: even at 18/20, the car doesn’t “rattle or float”—it stays composed .

Finding Your Sweet Spot: What Owners Actually Run

The Popular Ranges

Based on Polestar Forum discussions from owners in varied conditions:

• 11/11: “Best for me” on B-roads; softer than Nominal without losing control
• 12/12: Common “between comfort and sport” setting; happy medium for mixed driving
• 14/15: Works well for “mostly motorway and B roads”
• Comfort 18/20: For rough city streets and passengers who don’t appreciate a firm ride

One owner’s blunt assessment: “Comfort is OK, track is rough depending on the quality of your city roads. Nominal is what I would recommend” .

The “Bobble Head” Warning

If you have kids in car seats, Track settings are out. One owner warned that at stiff settings, “kids in car seats in the back will become bobble head dolls” . Australian roads amplify this. Your children will not thank you.

Track vs City: What Changes

Track Setting (1/2)

At 1 front and 2 rear, the Polestar 2 becomes “stiff and taut” . Body roll virtually disappears. Steering response sharpens. The car feels “precise” and “planted” .

But on Australian roads? Every expansion joint, every patch, every bit of coarse chip seal transmits directly into the cabin. It’s a track setting for a reason—smooth surfaces only.

City Setting (14-18)

At 14 clicks, the car still feels responsive but absorbs more. At 18/20, “road comfort is better”—it handles “pitted and weird asphalt” without punishing occupants .

The trade-off: more body movement, more yaw from the rear, a “sense of movement” . Some drivers prefer this—it feels more alive, less sterile. Others want maximum control.

The Australian Compromise

Most Australian owners land somewhere around 12-14. It’s stiff enough to keep the car feeling planted and fun on a good road, soft enough to survive the daily commute without rattling your fillings loose.

Chart: Comfort vs Control Trade-off

Rating based on owner feedback and review assessments of Australian road conditions .

Step-by-Step: How to Adjust Your Dampers

Front Dampers (Easy)

Step 1: Turn the steering wheel fully to one side. The front damper and gold knob become visible .

Step 2: Wipe dirt from the knob area. You don’t want grit falling into the mechanism.

Step 3: Turn the knob clockwise (viewed from below) until it stops firmly. This is position 0 .

Step 4: Turn anticlockwise, counting clicks, until you reach your target. For 12 clicks, count twelve distinct clicks .

Step 5: Repeat on the other side. Match both sides.

Rear Dampers (Fiddly)

Step 1: Jack up the rear of the car safely. You need access to the wheel housing .

Step 2: Loosen two nuts to access behind the wheel liner. You don’t need to remove the liner completely—just pull it down enough to reach under .

Step 3: Remove the protective rubber cap covering the gold knob. It’s a small cover—don’t lose it .

Step 4: Turn the knob clockwise (viewed from above) until it stops. Position 0 .

Step 5: Count clicks anticlockwise to your target. For 14 clicks, count fourteen.

Step 6: Replace the rubber cap. Repeat on the other side. Match both sides.

One owner tore the liner slightly during removal—it’s plastic and can be stiff. Be patient and don’t force it .

FAQ

What’s the factory setting for Polestar 2 Öhlins dampers?

Polestar’s official recommendation is Nominal: 8 clicks front and rear . However, factory settings “may vary between different markets” . Check yours—don’t assume they’re correct.

Which setting is best for Australian city driving?

Most Australian owners run between 11 and 14 clicks to balance control with comfort on rougher suburban roads . If your local roads are particularly bad, 14-16 provides more compliance.

How do I know which direction is stiffer?

Closer to 0 is stiffer. Turn clockwise until it stops (position 0), then count anticlockwise clicks to your target. More clicks = softer .

Can I damage the dampers by adjusting them?

Yes, if you overtighten at position 0. Turn until it stops firmly, but don’t force it. Excessive torque can damage the adjustment mechanism .

Why don’t my left and right dampers feel the same?

They might not be set the same. Multiple owners report factory inconsistencies where left and right rear dampers differed by several clicks . Always check and match both sides of each axle.

What’s the difference between Track and Comfort settings?

Track (1/2) makes the car “stiffer” for “smoother roads or active driving” . Comfort (18/20) provides “softer suspension that minimises road irregularities while maintaining control” . Track is for circuits; Comfort is for broken Australian asphalt.

Do I need to adjust front and rear separately?

Yes. Each wheel has its own knob. Polestar recommends setting the same position for both wheels on each axle . So front-left and front-right should match, and rear-left and rear-right should match. Front and rear can differ (like Track’s 1 front / 2 rear).

Final Thoughts

The Polestar 2 Performance Pack’s Öhlins dampers are a genuine enthusiast feature—you can transform the car’s character in ten minutes with a simple twist. But Australian roads demand compromise. Factory Nominal (8/8) is too firm for daily suburban driving; full Comfort (18/20) sacrifices too much sharpness for most owners.

Start at 12/12. Live with it for a week. If your commute leaves you feeling battered, go softer. If the car feels floaty on your favourite back road, stiffen it up. The beauty of manual adjustment is that you can experiment without visiting a workshop.

Always ensure the car is securely supported before reaching into wheel wells. Never adjust dampers on a hot exhaust or with the engine running.

Where have you set your Öhlins? Share your sweet spot in the comments.

References:

• Polestar Australia – Performance Pack Configuration
• Polestar Manual – Manually Adjustable Shock Absorbers
• Polestar Manual – Adjusting the Damping Setting
• SwedeSpeed Forum – Öhlins Damper Adjustment Discussion
• Polestar Forum – Performance Pack Öhlins Adjustment Issue
• Polestar Forum – Suspension Setting Suggestions
• Automotive Daily – EV Suspension and Australian Road Testing
• 汽车之家 – Polestar 2 Öhlins Damper Track vs Comfort Testing