Member Since: 02 Nov 2016
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1026
Sport Mode while Towing
Is there any benefit to using Sport Mode on the gearbox while towing.
Just reading a X5 review that suggests this work on the BMW SUV.
Any thoughts, pros and cons?
23rd Mar 2017 11:38 pm
Russell
Member Since: 24 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
It hangs onto the gear for slightly longer and is quicker to change down. I have used sport for towing and found it better with the D3 but D4 I just stuck to DMY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
MY11 D4 HSE Stornaway Grey Sold and gone
D3 S spec Silver Sold and gone
Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
D4 camera club
If towing on windy roads I tend to stick it in sport mode, otherwise D is more than adequate. Never felt the need to use command shift after my initial play with it.Morris Dancers: Drinkers with A Dance Problem
If you use Sport on the eight speed especially on hilly sections you will feel a lot more engine braking on the downhill sections, in D it just coasts to a stop, both the eight speed versions I've had did that. Fish Hill especially I can go down hill, towing 1850kgs with very little use of the brakes.
24th Mar 2017 6:59 pm
ClassikFan
Member Since: 02 Nov 2016
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1026
Used sport mode to tow 1800kg caravan 30 miles on rolly section of the A3, went ok. Will compare normal D on way home.
24th Mar 2017 9:47 pm
Compusmentis
Member Since: 18 Feb 2016
Location: Effingham
Posts: 237
I tow diggers with mine - somewhere around 2200 kgs trailer weight, up and down the hilly bits of Surrey around Shere, Dorking, Ewhurst etc.
Sport does seem to help a bit. Otherwise it tends to have a flat spot and labour around 1500 rpm, 30 mph.
I have a feeling that the flat spot may be caused by the egr's not shutting properly and leaking boost though.
Next stop will be a blank / remap kit.New gearbox & TC, 3 x front wheel bearings, belts changed, new oil pump, new battery, new rear prop, new front prop, new front diff, front arb refurbed, front cv boot kit, egr blank and BAS software patch, full rear suspension / drivelive rebuild, new front arms, LED trailer light fix, split charge.
Never had a 107, 90 or 127, but have had most of the rest!
24th Mar 2017 11:25 pm
MGCarr
Member Since: 15 Jul 2014
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 703
I find sport mode very useful when towing on the Motorway and the weight of traffic holds you back to around 50/55 mph and in standard mode the car seems to hunt between gears, knocking it into sport mode prompts it to hold the existing lower gear longer and makes for smoother progress. On hilly twisty roads I use command shift.
1997 Defender 90 for the kids and I to have a go at some competitive off road RTV and Tyro trials, daughter picked up her first trophy over the August Bank Holiday.
Previous Land Rover history
1996 P38 4.6 V8 Autobiography
1996 Discovery TDi 300
1972 Range Rover 3.5 V8
LWB Hard Top Series 3
LWB Truck Cab Series 2A
Not been without a Land Rover for over 40 years - I must need therapy!
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