Method and system for aligning a stationary vehicle with an artificial horizon

A method (200, 300) of positioning a vehicle chassis (4) of a vehicle (2) in approximate alignment with a predetermined datum (71), the vehicle having at least one axis (11, 12) and a suspension system fluid (FSS), the predetermined datum plane independent imaginary reference distance from the vehicle chassis about the axles or wheels, the suspension system fluid comprising a plurality of suspension members fluid ( 6 to 9) disposed between the axle and the chassis, a control device (25), a pressurized fluid source (20) and an exhaust passage (34) in fluid communication with the plurality of suspension members fluid through the control device and an electronic control unit (42) operatively associated with the control device, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing an alignment sensor (65) supported on the chassis for outputting a signal indicative of the orientation of the chassis to the electronic control unit; b) acquiring a signal output by the alignment sensor (65); c) comparing the signal from the alignment sensor (65) with data associated with the orientation of the predetermined datum (71) and stored in the electronic control unit (42) as alignment data; d) determining which side between the right front, left front, left rear, right rear, front whole, the back whole, the entire left side or entire right side is the high position of the vehicle chassis (4); e) determining whether the high location can be lowered far enough to bring the vehicle chassis (4) into approximate alignment with the predetermined datum (71) and, f) selectively operating the control device (25) to allow fluid communication between one or several suspension elements appropriate fluid (6-9) and the fluid exhaust (34) until the signal from the alignment sensor (65) corresponds roughly to the alignment data.