i fully understand the 4wd system of my 300tdi defender, but what on earth is going on under the buttons in the middle of my new manual disco?
have i got a locking central diff? if so when does it lock? also are the front or rear diffs lockable / lsd ?
what happens if i get cross axled? am i stuck like in a defender, or does traction control brake a spinning wheel to send some drive to the grounded wheel.
at the top of a steep downhill i used to lock the centre diff, put it in low first and go over the edge on tickover with my feet off the pedals. in my new d3 do i do the same, but press the hdc button too?
it's easy in an old defender, you put it in low 2nd gear, and if it got bad knocked the lever to the left. i'd consider myself a competant off road driver, but would like to know what the car's doing.
any answers / good links?
i know the d3 is leagues above the defender on road, and superb off it, anyone else gone from an old defender to a D3?
13th Aug 2009 10:20 pm
RobKeay
Member Since: 15 Dec 2008
Location: Stafford
Posts: 119
I have had loads of defenders and brought my d3 last year. With the D3 you let the HDC do its stuff going down any hill. Its great. Cross axle dont worry the traction control sorts it out. I have put the D3 in situations that have frighten me. If you put it in Sand mode you can do doughnuts. It takes a while to let the electonics work for you. I do still like off roading in defenders I feel more in control and at home.
13th Aug 2009 10:26 pm
Spooky
Member Since: 02 Jun 2009
Location: Swindon, Wilts
Posts: 1013
All the off-road advice from Land Rover is available on the Owner Info Section of the GTR ...Regards,
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14th Aug 2009 5:39 am
bambi
Member Since: 10 Apr 2009
Location: south yorkshire
Posts: 2059
Hi Fast but dim,
Yes you have a cetre locking diff, no front rear lockers no lsd unless you have a rear e diff, these are all electronically controlled by the terrain response, the diff is pre loaded the throttle response and a few other hings are controlled by that dial,
The terrain response can also be used in every day use for heavy rain etc light snow use the grass gravel setting this can be changed on the hoof
When in a cross axle situation the car sorts itself out using traction control to brake the spinning wheel but this is a reaction system and has to see some wheel spin so the electronics notice the changed in speed inthe road wheels ( you can use your foot brake in a non traction control vehicle to do the same thing)
when going down hill place in desired gear engage hdc remove feet from peddles and decend you can use cruise control +- buttons to speed up if you wish and then slow down the same way if you begin to slide.
14th Aug 2009 5:39 am
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26702
I drive both a very old traditional Series 2, and my D3, in off road situations.
The bottom line is, it is FAR easier in the D3, it will go anywhere (where it will fit, because its a fat ) that the Series will go, but you have to 'drive' the Series. The D3 kind of does most of it for you. You do need to understand what it can do and its limitations to avoid embarrassment though. I suggest an LR Experience course will convince you.
The one situation where the D3 will proceed, and the Series will get stuck is the cross axle. The D3 traction control is fantastic. I felt safer on ice in the D3. The D3 will get bogged in sand before the Series does because of the weight.
Last edited by Gareth on 14th Aug 2009 8:39 am. Edited 1 time in total
14th Aug 2009 7:44 am
CFB
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
Posts: 6100
It's worth having an off-road lesson in the D3 to get the best out of it, the LRE centres do this2020 BMW X1 18d XDrive X-Line Auto
14th Aug 2009 8:00 am
promitheus
Member Since: 04 Jul 2009
Location: Afidnes, Greece
Posts: 570
bambi wrote:
... no lsd unless you have a rear e diff...
I'll definitely be getting a rear diff then...
Good explanation however there mate.
14th Aug 2009 8:37 am
fast but dim
Member Since: 12 Aug 2009
Location: NW
Posts: 67
surely the tyres must seriously limit performance off road, i've got wramgler hp's on (for now) and can't see them working at all on mud or grass, i do not want to be towed off a field by a 90
what do you lot run for greenlaning?
( will my 16 in steel defender rims fit, theyve got nice new pirelli muds on)
14th Aug 2009 8:55 am
Martin Site Admin and Owner
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 18456
CFB wrote:
It's worth having an off-road lesson in the D3 to get the best out of it, the LRE centres do this
As do our site sponsors Off Road Essentials (10forcash) and Lincoln Driver Training.06 D3 SE / 15 LR D90 XS SW / 88 LR 90 Td5 / 68 BMW 2000 ti
Any issues with the site let me know!
14th Aug 2009 9:53 am
PaulP
Member Since: 04 May 2007
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 4317
fast but dim wrote:
( will my 16 in steel defender rims fit, theyve got nice new pirelli muds on)
I'm almost 100% certain that they won't
There's plenty of threads on here regarding tyres.....
In 17" there's quite a lot of choice of both AT and MT, but for 18" it's much more complicated although General Grabber AT2 seem to be the 'preffered option' whilst BFG A/Ts can be fitted with a bit of work.2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE AutoBuckingham Blue 2007 Golf GT DSG
surely the tyres must seriously limit performance off road,
You'd be surprised just how good they are on standard rubber, yes AT or MT tyres will help it get even further but definitely worth seeing just what they can do on road tyres before rushing out and changing them.The End
Last edited by Slimer on 14th Aug 2009 3:42 pm. Edited 1 time in total
14th Aug 2009 10:22 am
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26702
Your 16" wheels will foul the brakes, and probably collapse under the weight!
I have 19 road tyres, they are very good in reality, rarely getting stuck. I also have a set of 17" wheels with some Cooper STT tyres, they are stronger and less prone to punctures, and the electronics work less with them fitted.
My 2a runs on Goodyear Wrangler AT2 which are good in between option. (not 19 inch though)
14th Aug 2009 10:24 am
bambi
Member Since: 10 Apr 2009
Location: south yorkshire
Posts: 2059
Hey fast but dim you missed the E bit out its an electronic locking diff in place of the standard diff, most of what i spouted was almost verbatum from my lre day.
14th Aug 2009 1:51 pm
AndrewS Tarquin of the Desert
Member Since: 06 May 2005
Location: Y...... because I can
Posts: 10438
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) that the Series will go, but you have to 'drive' the Series. The D3 kind of does most of it for you. You do need to understand what it can do and its limitations to avoid embarrassment though. I suggest an LR Experience course will convince you.
