Member Since: 13 Mar 2015
Location: Riga
Posts: 16
Off Roading books?
Hi!
I'm new to off roading in general and LR Discoveries in particular, so just learning about my car and the trade.
Was searching around the forum and wasn't really able to find any mention of the off-road books that would teach some basics (and beyond that). Of course there are some "top x" book lists out there in the internet, but wanted to ask the community here:
What you can recommend as a good off-roading skills enhancement book?
P.S. Yes, I understand that the best teacher is experience and definitely will be taking some instructor led course and finding some company/events before going out anywhere, but that doesn't diminish the value of the good book.
18th Mar 2015 1:37 pm
Scarab
Member Since: 11 Jun 2011
Location: Hastings
Posts: 1283
Hi There,
Like you say you'll never know until you get out there. Are there any clubs nearby you can join?
Member Since: 10 Sep 2012
Location: Northampton
Posts: 1034
Anything by Tom Sheppard is always a good read - http://www.desertwinds.co.uk/four_by_four_driving.htmlGAP IID Pro Multi Vehicle Defender L316 2007-2015 - Discovery 3 - Discovery 4 - Discovery Sport L550 - Freelander 2 - Range Rover Evoque L538 - Range Rover L322 - Range Rover L405 - Range Rover Sport L320 - Range Rover Sport L494 Electrical Fault Diagnostics
18th Mar 2015 9:46 pm
Allan_T
Member Since: 10 Sep 2012
Location: Northampton
Posts: 1034
How not to offroad
GAP IID Pro Multi Vehicle Defender L316 2007-2015 - Discovery 3 - Discovery 4 - Discovery Sport L550 - Freelander 2 - Range Rover Evoque L538 - Range Rover L322 - Range Rover L405 - Range Rover Sport L320 - Range Rover Sport L494 Electrical Fault Diagnostics
18th Mar 2015 9:54 pm
A.J.M
Member Since: 31 Oct 2009
Location: Carluke
Posts: 2847
This is from a US based forum i'm on.
However, the basic points are the same, even if we don't call the car a LR3, most of us sadly don't have a V8 engine.
I've used the tips and found it makes the car much better off road and lets you understand the car, work with it and how to off road it with minimal damage.
1. Turn off DSC when wheels leave pavement
2. If in a low traction environment (slick rocks, wheels in the air, etc..). GENTLE, STEADY throttle pressure is what you need to engage the traction control. Do NOT let off the throttle. Do NOT hit the brakes, let the TC figure out what it wants to do and then simply drive out. They key really is steady gentle throttle pressure for about 90% of your scenarios
3. Take a different line! Unlike earlier vehicles, there is no pumpkin to worry about, but the gas tank is low, and your exhaust pipes are sensitively low as well. Your best bet is to get the major rocks directly under your tires along the running board area.
4. TURNING RADIUS! The LR3/4 has an AMAZING turning radius. This will radically change your line in the rock gardens. Compensate for it, take advantage of it
5. Big butt and low front end. It's not as dangly as a D2, but it's not short back there either. Use that turning radius to your advantage, approach large rocks and ledges at an angle, get your front wheels up on them without touching the bumper, and then as your rear approached, turn in the opposite direction to "shorten" the relative overhang. Works every time.
6. You've got totally bomber recovery points built in. Use a dime turn the screws 90 degrees and pop off the front and rear covers in the bumpers, and you will find hellastout recovery points.
7. Hill Decent works....maybe too well. I hardly ever used it, but know this: It works in reverse (handy!) and the cruise control buttons regulate speed. D2's can't do this.
8. There is a very effective rev limiter that cuts off fuel (and ignition spark?) to the motor. So drop it into Low Range, pop into 3rd gear, and attack those sand dunes or mud fields with full throttle enthusiasm if you want to. You can't blow it.
9. Running shifts. You can drop into Low Range while moving. Just coast in neutral under 15mph and pop it into low range, blip the throttle then nudge it back to Drive and resume desired speed (under 60 in low range). To get out of Low Range into High range, same thing. Coast in neutral, switch to High range, then pop it back into Drive. Can do this up to 30 mph no problem. It's very handy to not have to stop to switch your transfer case.
10. Read up on the theory behind the Terrain Control so that you can understand what effects it has on the truck, so can you make intelligent decisions on when to use which mode
Bonus Tip: Use Command Shift for more fun.
Extra Bonus tip: Reset your computers learned driving behavior by pulling both battery cables off the terminals, touching them together for 30 seconds or so. This will "reflash" your systems profile memory, and will allow you to teach your rig all new driving behavior (shift points, acceleration curves, etc...). Handy for new owners of used LR3's.In loving memory of FA54WSK.
Rest well old friend, your work is done.
19th Mar 2015 7:02 pm
Archaept
Member Since: 13 Mar 2015
Location: Riga
Posts: 16
Thanks, guys!
Haynes on its way with Sheppard next in line.
'not to' videos are hilarious
Interesting point about DSC off on any terrain in the forums. A.J.M, were you using this advise as well? Contradicts user manual quite a bit, as it recommendeds to keep DSC on for vehicles with Terrain Response for majority of the situations (except starting in deep snow or driving in deep sand/through deep mud)... On the second thought - if its not sand/mud/snow its more or less normal road and not offroading
19th Mar 2015 8:58 pm
galwaygreen
Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: plymouth
Posts: 6525
was going to suggest getting yourself to LRE Solihull then realised where you were.
19th Mar 2015 9:13 pm
markate
Member Since: 17 Sep 2011
Location: England
Posts: 704
LR Experience advice is to leave DSC switched on for the majority of the time only turning it off if it starts to impede progress which is only really likely to happen in deep soft snow, deep mud or gravel.
19th Mar 2015 9:49 pm
A.J.M
Member Since: 31 Oct 2009
Location: Carluke
Posts: 2847
I have turned mine off plenty of times.
Some times it's good to have on, other times it's just a hindrance that you don't need.
For mud and snow, at times you need to get the power down to keep moving etc, and DSC will stop you doing that.
Had to turn it off to tow car's up hill in the snow, wasn't happy having the weight on the back.
Also managed to tow a mate's freelander off a green lane section after clutch issues.
Even on wet loose rocks and the freeby it made short work of it all. Did go into extended mode as it thought it had bottomed out and TC got a right good workout but everyone was impressed at how easy it made it all look.
That was on Duratrac's that were well worn as well.
As for the turning circles, it's great for off roading as it turns for sharper than any of the older model's.In loving memory of FA54WSK.
Rest well old friend, your work is done.
19th Mar 2015 10:31 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50978
Truth is ....you think you are turning it off ...but you aren't really 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
19th Mar 2015 10:41 pm
A.J.M
Member Since: 31 Oct 2009
Location: Carluke
Posts: 2847
Correct.
Like Merc traction control systems, it's always lingering in the background and refuses to 100% sod off.
However, it does give you a fair bit of slack when you press the button.In loving memory of FA54WSK.
Rest well old friend, your work is done.
20th Mar 2015 12:09 am
Jlrjim
Member Since: 05 Mar 2014
Location: In the Land of Rover
Posts: 108
Nothing beats LRE or your local club for hands on training and experience.
Another book which is very worthwhile seeking out IMHO - "Robert Peppers 4WD handbook" by Robert Pepper, and there's a glovebox version as well - goes into the traction control stuff on the disco quite a bit.
20th Mar 2015 8:25 am
Wollemi
Member Since: 11 Jul 2011
Location: Wharfedale
Posts: 112
Another strong recommendation for the Haynes manual "Off-Road Driving" by Vincent Cobley and Dave Philips, and also Tom Sheppard's "Four-by-four driving" both excellent books.
Also the Land Rover Experience DVD " The Essential Guide To Off-Road Driving" - this is obviously Land Rover specific - I got a copy in October for £7.99.
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