Member Since: 12 Apr 2009
Location: Leeds
Posts: 1155
Driving or stopping in snow tip with auto
Well we have a nice dusting of snow in Warsaw. Been out in the d4 with the wintracs fitted. Must say it feels like the d4 doesn't want to stop so easy like the d3 with the same tyres on last year, and they were brand new last year. Its as if the abs kicks in too quick. Jumped into the sport with scorpions which I found were worse than the wintracs last year, but compared to d4 I saw no difference this year.
Thinking maybe the huge brakes on the d4 might have something to do with it. They are bigger than the sport even.
But it reminded me of a tip my wife told me after she nearly came unstuck with the d3 when it was brand new on its crappy Goodyear tyres in the snow. The car was not wanting to stop abs grinding away so she knocked the drive into neutral. Hey bingo the car stopped. I tried it yesterday with the d4 and it does indeed make a big difference
So, if you find the car not wanting to stop on snow or ice and you think you will hit something knock it I to neutral and you will hopefully stop
20th Jan 2013 9:41 am
2DISCO3ORNOT
Member Since: 27 Apr 2009
Location: at sea
Posts: 1209
I just dont follow that at all???
You mean neutral but still with brakes Yes?
20th Jan 2013 9:45 am
hids4u
Member Since: 12 Apr 2009
Location: Leeds
Posts: 1155
Yes. Whilst braking, take it out of drive and put it I to neutral N
This stops the engine even on tick over putting any drive force to the wheels that the brakes need to over come. With such little friction with the snow the extra force from the engine is like the straw that broke the camels back
20th Jan 2013 9:50 am
2DISCO3ORNOT
Member Since: 27 Apr 2009
Location: at sea
Posts: 1209
Makes sense, will give it a whirl this afternoon, nice little dusting here in London today
20th Jan 2013 9:54 am
twoakers
Member Since: 15 Nov 2010
Location: Harwich
Posts: 367
Good advice which I will try out very soon
Have been using 'the big yellow button' especially when being pushed downhill by my big trailer
With so little braking force the overrun brakes do not activate
Anyone know if there a better way wiv a trailer on the back Cheers, Dave in Essex
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20th Jan 2013 10:05 am
jamieg7762
Member Since: 05 Mar 2010
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 1232
Or you could always knock it into command shift, use the gears to slow down and then apply the brakes when at a virtual standstill.d4 HSE in Corris Grey with Black options pack
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20th Jan 2013 10:09 am
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20830
jamieg7762 wrote:
Or you could always knock it into command shift, use the gears to slow down and then apply the brakes when at a virtual standstill.
Thats what I would be doing. Would not be putting it into neutral and relying on the ABS alone My D3 Build Thread
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Always been taught to pre-select a low gear before going downhill on a low traction surface. The de facto teaching at LRE is HDC on (as it works in both directions), low ratio and command shift 3rd for going up and command shift 1st for going down. Depending on conditions you can vary from these starting points.Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 25 Aug 2009
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I use terrain response in 'snow' mode, which locks out 1st gear, HDC on, then as I approach a steep hill, I use command shift to ensure 2nd is selected, keep off the brakes, (or use VERY gently) to avoid inducing a slide, as once this happens the brakes and HDC will have absolutely NO EFFECT
You may or not know that you can also adjust the target speed that HDC operates by using the cruise control +\- rocker switch on the steering wheel - try it, it is very impressive, as soon as you start going a bit too fast for your liking, press the - button several times and the speed will reduce
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20th Jan 2013 11:06 am
hids4u
Member Since: 12 Apr 2009
Location: Leeds
Posts: 1155
Gears don't make you stop. I am not talking about putting it into N at any speed, just the last few mph when the abs fails to stop the car. At that point putting it I to 1st does nothing
Slowing down from higher speed with gears goes without saying a good idea.
Try it
20th Jan 2013 11:34 am
jamieg7762
Member Since: 05 Mar 2010
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 1232
Aaahhhhhh I see, Makes since now.
So you mean the last couple of yards at about 5-10mph, I might give it a try as off out in a bit. d4 HSE in Corris Grey with Black options pack
D3 with the following
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Alive Tuning Re-map
Alive Atrics console
Samco intercooler hoses (from Alive Tuning)
Alive Tuning De-Cat pipe, lovely tone!
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20th Jan 2013 12:15 pm
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20830
hids4u wrote:
Gears don't make you stop. I am not talking about putting it into N at any speed, just the last few mph when the abs fails to stop the car. At that point putting it I to 1st does nothing
Slowing down from higher speed with gears goes without saying a good idea.
Try it
Sounds better
Though, AIUI, the ABS strategy should cut out the ABS in GGS mode and those kind of speeds anyway. The theory behind it being the snow builds up infront of the wheels, and actually decreases the braking distance as opposed to having the ABS on constantly until it comes to a halt.
Member Since: 12 Apr 2009
Location: Leeds
Posts: 1155
i find the snow setting has no affect on the ABS - it just retards the engine and keeps the gear low and locks out first.
i find key is to brake as light as possible and not let abs kick in - as when it does its not often you stop where you would like to
i have tested it many times and it really does make a difference, but cant take the credit as it was my wife that told me
20th Jan 2013 7:18 pm
Richie63
Member Since: 16 Oct 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 494
I've got to admit this is all becoming a bit confusing , I agree that stopping on a snow covered road with an auto is an issue and have tried the techniques mentioned in this post but I am finding it all a bit of a handfull.
As I see it using command shift is better in the snow, which having used it I would agree. But then on the last few mph I should knock it back into drive so that I can shift into neutral .
I'm sorry but for me this is information overload, and have found that there are far too many other things going on to be messing about with the shift in this way.
Please feel free to correct me if I have misunderstood
20th Jan 2013 7:29 pm
hids4u
Member Since: 12 Apr 2009
Location: Leeds
Posts: 1155
for most dirving i dont ever use the gears to slow down. i find the auto box does a good job of this for me
the only situation i suggest you might find it useful to knock into N - is when you have done all you can to stop but the car keeps going. so before you hit the car tree or wall - try putting it into N - and you will I am sure find the car stops.
i tried it many times - from 10 miles per hour to stop with brakes and car in auto
then same road snow etc - tried again but as soon as i hit brakes i put car into N
it stops in 1/2 to 2/3 of the distance
not rocket science - nor am i suggesting to change the way you drive, brake or slow down. when all else has failed - keep it in the back of your mind it might save you
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, I agree that stopping on a snow covered road with an auto is an issue and have tried the techniques mentioned in this post but I am finding it all a bit of a handfull.
