Member Since: 29 Apr 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3
A few questions from a new D3 owner
I am a new D3 owner - I picked up a Stornoway Grey TDV6 SE a month ago and have been enjoying it ever since. I only recently discovered this site and having taken the Disco away up to the hills over the weekend, thought others here might be able to assist with a couple of queries.
To put the queries in context, I picked up a demo model with 1000km on the clock in early April. Standard wrangler tyres. Having enjoyed our brief stint around the demonstration track here in Melbourne, my wife and I were keen to get it into the muck and see what it could really do. We've been waiting for the rain to come (seems like it's been a couple of years now) , and the weekend promised lots of it. We headed up out of Merrijig up the back rd to Mt Stirling (Buttercup Rd/Carters Rd/ Mt No.3 track) and found plenty of mud. The firebreaks that were cleared for the alpine fires over summer seem to have been undertaken by heavy machinery that has chopped up the clay surfaced roads pretty heavily - add 7cm of rain to that in the space of 24 hours and you've got some pretty challenging (read enjoyable) conditions.
The D3 performed remarkably - it was incredibly sure-footed under the conditions. Steep, slippery and rocky entries and exits to creek crossings I was expecting to be very tricky (and had thus brought recovery gear for) were navigated with relative ease. The wet clay roads saw a lot of slipping and sliding but never really presented a concern. All in all, it was held back only by the rubber - and I have read other threads on here about some of the tyre options for 18 inch wheels which I look forward to exploring more in due course. The back of the car when folded flat also made for the driest and most comfortable night's camping I have ever spent in torrential rain.
My queries relate to a couple of things that happened while in stickier situations:
- firstly, in a long channel of mud ruts (about 50metres long), with the mud ruts program dialled in on TC, the engine would not respond when the accelerator was depressed. Has anyone else experienced this? Fair enough if the car was already standing still - this might prevent bogging yourself in, but the loss of momentum could in some circumstances be a real problem. Is this simply a matter of turning TC off? The same thing happened in rock crawl mode halfway up a rather steep rocky section of the No.3 track;
- secondly, on a couple of the creek crossings, the dash display showed a picture that I have not been able to locate anywhere in the operating manual - it looked like this:
II--<>--II
on a couple of occasions where the wheels were at an angle it also showed as:
//--<>--//
Can anyone explain for me what these mean? I would be grateful for your thoughts.
As a footnote, I should add that the effect of the summer fires on the alpine areas has to be seen to be believed. A lot of the high country cattlemens' huts are ashes - with just chimneys standing. The forest is black and red, and a lot of places almost unrecognisable. We didn't see another car out there in a day and a half's driving.
cheers2007 Stornoway Grey TDV6 SE
My queries relate to a couple of things that happened while in stickier situations:
- firstly, in a long channel of mud ruts (about 50metres long), with the mud ruts program dialled in on TC, the engine would not respond when the accelerator was depressed. Has anyone else experienced this? Fair enough if the car was already standing still - this might prevent bogging yourself in, but the loss of momentum could in some circumstances be a real problem. Is this simply a matter of turning TC off? The same thing happened in rock crawl mode halfway up a rather steep rocky section of the No.3 track;
- secondly, on a couple of the creek crossings, the dash display showed a picture that I have not been able to locate anywhere in the operating manual - it looked like this:
II--<>--II
on a couple of occasions where the wheels were at an angle it also showed as:
//--<>--//
Can anyone explain for me what these mean? I would be grateful for your thoughts.
As a footnote, I should add that the effect of the summer fires on the alpine areas has to be seen to be believed. A lot of the high country cattlemens' huts are ashes - with just chimneys standing. The forest is black and red, and a lot of places almost unrecognisable. We didn't see another car out there in a day and a half's driving.
cheers
Welcome to the Forum Whit.
1. "Mud N Ruts". When you say the D3 doesn't respond do you mean that the wheels start to spin and Traction Control takes over? If this is what you mean it helps to turn off "DSC" by pushing and holding the the button on the dash. The amber symbol on the instument cluster will light up with the DSC symbol (you can try this anytime to see the symbol I'm talking about). Remember that when DSC is off TC is reduced but not completely off. After turning off the D3 and restarting the DSC will always be set back "on", you must manually turn it off. Momentum will always help overcome the slippery conditions. The OEM tyres don't help either on slippery surfaces that fill the tread with clay and turn the rubber into slicks. Turning off DSC is mentioned in the manual under the offroading section (I think).
2. When in Low Range the dash will show you a picture of the front wheels if turned left or right. The picture is straight ahead or 45 deg left or right when it comes on. If you have the SATNAV then you get a more graduated image in the centre display. You can try this at home in the drive. Select Low Range and turn the steering left or right a fair bit and the image will appear in the instrument cluster.
As for the High Country. The fires certainly devesated many beautiful areas and closed them for a long time (until 2008).
Chris2011 Discovery 4 (MY12) SDV6 HSE with General Grabber AT's, Traxide Aux Battery system, custom rear drawers and Autosafe half height cargo barrier
Gone - 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE
ARB Bull Bar, Warn 9.5XP Winch, IPF D/Lights, Cooper STT's, LR Raised Air Intake, Traxide aux battery system, custom drawers and half height Autosafe cargo barrier, Mitchell Bros 4x4 tow hitch
30th Apr 2007 3:18 am
pbhawkin
Member Since: 14 Dec 2006
Location: Mudgee
Posts: 377
Whit, I gather you got the optional navigation and HI-ICE pack for your SE?regards
Peter
__________________________________________
Oct 2013 SDV6 3.0 HSE.
2007 TDV6 SE E-diff, adaptive lights sold 1/2014
30th Apr 2007 5:47 am
Gurvan
Member Since: 02 Jan 2005
Location: Germany... Not far from both the US and Hard German rock...
Posts: 1089
Re: A few questions from a new D3 owner
Whit wrote:
- secondly, on a couple of the creek crossings, the dash display showed a picture that I have not been able to locate anywhere in the operating manual - it looked like this:
II--<>--II
on a couple of occasions where the wheels were at an angle it also showed as:
//--<>--//
Can anyone explain for me what these mean?
Unless, I am mistaken this could only be the display telling you that you turned the wheels... It is meant to remind you that your wheel are at an angle when you are driving in Mud and Ruts and thus avoiding you "jumping" out of a rut in an unexpected direction, if the rim of the ruts becomes low enough...
That is what I think and I also cannot find it again in any of the manuals that I have at hand...
Pardon my French if my English is not clear enough... Georgia On My Mind...
30th Apr 2007 7:10 am
catweasel
Member Since: 05 May 2006
Location: Bundaleer
Posts: 4805
then spread the word and get one of these
from the shop.
30th Apr 2007 10:15 am
Whit
Member Since: 29 Apr 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3
Thanks to all for the warm welcome and suggestions.
Chris - thanks for the explanation on the DSC button - let's hope it keeps raining (not just for my own selfish purposes of course) so that I can give it a further test. As for the tyres, they definitely did turn into racing slicks. While some of the tracks out to the north east of Mt Buller were still closed because of the fire damage, and I imagine will remain so until 2008, I was very impressed at the extent to which DSE had been out working to clear tracks of fallen timber and reopen them - there was extensive terrain already reopened.
Peter - I don't have the navigation and Hi-Ice pack - in fact no bells and whistles at all (as yet) -I was just pretty happy to pick up the demo vehicle "as is" rather than order and wait for delivery of a new vehicle (I'm an impatient !)
Catweasel - thanks for the link and directions to the shop.
Gurvan - au contraire - votre anglais est impeccable - je vous remercie de votre commentaire.
Great to know that while I can't recall ever being unaware of which direction my wheels were pointing (an important part of driving awareness in my own humble opinion), if and when that should happen, Landrover already have the answer!
cheers
Whit2007 Stornoway Grey TDV6 SE
1st May 2007 6:25 am
Gurvan
Member Since: 02 Jan 2005
Location: Germany... Not far from both the US and Hard German rock...
Posts: 1089
Thanks for the comment... And I must say that your French is impressive too... Georgia On My Mind...
1st May 2007 9:31 am
Pelyma
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Patching, Sussex
Posts: 15496
When driving in ruts it can be very difficult to remember which way your wheels are pointing as you will still follow the ruts. This of course can make tyre damage greater and make you leap out of a rut unexpectedly. Glad your enjoying the car DS3 TDV6 HSE - Silver with Alpaca (old one) Gone
DS3 TDV6 HSE- Silver with Alpaca (new one) Gone
D4 HSE Lux - Montalcino Red Gone
Porsche Cayenne V8 Diesel S
1st May 2007 11:30 am
pbhawkin
Member Since: 14 Dec 2006
Location: Mudgee
Posts: 377
Ok, Can someone confirm that a standard Aussie spec SE does NOT come with the centre console info screen (without satnav).
The Aussie LR site is confusing in what they describe as standard and uses different names for the same thing and that you need 'x' before you get 'y' (premium radio required?).
I have to admit that I thought it DID come with the info centre (IE shows which way your wheels are pointing when offroad).
Not complaining as I now plan on getting a proper carPC and touch screen to go there.regards
Peter
__________________________________________
Oct 2013 SDV6 3.0 HSE.
2007 TDV6 SE E-diff, adaptive lights sold 1/2014
1st May 2007 1:36 pm
catweasel
Member Since: 05 May 2006
Location: Bundaleer
Posts: 4805
it does not come standard on any Oz spec and is an optional extra which will then require the premium ICE for it to talk to you.
1st May 2007 2:28 pm
pbhawkin
Member Since: 14 Dec 2006
Location: Mudgee
Posts: 377
Thanks Catweasel.regards
Peter
__________________________________________
Oct 2013 SDV6 3.0 HSE.
2007 TDV6 SE E-diff, adaptive lights sold 1/2014
1st May 2007 10:54 pm
Discojames
Member Since: 26 Apr 2007
Location: Sydney
Posts: 35
Can anyone else confirm whether on an Australian spec SE you get the wheel direction display in the instrument panel (as opposed to the info screen if you have the Navigation upgrade)
Wheel direction (and terrain response setting where fitted) shows in the message centre on all versions AFAIKThe End
3rd May 2007 8:04 am
pbhawkin
Member Since: 14 Dec 2006
Location: Mudgee
Posts: 377
DiscoJames,
Same question/concern I had.
NO. There is no indication of wheel direction in the standard Aussie spec SE (IE NO centre dash 7" display) that I am aware of. You do get what the terrain response is set to in the central info display on the instrument panal/dash.regards
Peter
__________________________________________
Oct 2013 SDV6 3.0 HSE.
2007 TDV6 SE E-diff, adaptive lights sold 1/2014
3rd May 2007 9:53 am
catweasel
Member Since: 05 May 2006
Location: Bundaleer
Posts: 4805
you do get a pic in the message centre if you have it AFAIK.
have a read here
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
It is meant to remind you that your wheel are at an angle when you are driving in Mud and Ruts and thus avoiding you "jumping" out of a rut in an unexpected direction, if the rim of the ruts becomes low enough...
!)
