Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73125
Might be worth you sourcing a set of 19"ers for winter tyres, just gives you more options. You can never have too many wheels!! You should be able to get a cheap set off someone here or fleabay, either older style 19" HSE rims or FFRR rims, the latter can be bought for peanuts.
Re heated steering wheel, I had it 2degC colder than the pic below so very handy:
Click image to enlarge
PS up here we had weeks of weather where it got down to -20c and up to -12c to -15c and didn't have any starting issues, my D3 had a new battery fitted just before and SWMBO's D3 had a 15 month old battery. Saying that we did make sure both cars were either used daily or if not started and well warmed up & unfrozen.
16th Nov 2010 1:43 pm
2DISCO3ORNOT
Member Since: 27 Apr 2009
Location: at sea
Posts: 1209
Just visited your site Ben, very impresssive, Im no LR expert to offer advise but enjoy the trip none the less
I fear not ticking the heated steering wheel box will come back to haunt me! (And Mik, as I'm now poncing around in a white HSE with a fridge, LED lights and 20" wheels, it could well have been the latter )
You can retro-fit them - and even though you'll probably be wearing gloves I strongly recommend the heated steering wheel - it get warm enough to feel through thick gore-tex gloves which is great for when you suffer with cold fingers and gloves don't really work, as is the case for me
You may be able to arrange through LR is to get sets of studded winter tyres on wheels out there at one of their dealers - no good getting them here as you'll have to transport them over there coz they're aren't legal in the warmer climates
If you're leaving the vehicles standing for several days I would be tempted to get an external battery boost system - just in case you come back and find both vehicles are flat.
Should you go for the Lightforce auxilliary driving lamps as JF Lux recommends (I would too for the same reason - filters) spend the extra for the Xenon/HID conversion kit. I would recommend only mounting them on the front of the vehicle - in snow/fog I found roofrack lights (even fog ones) caused too much glareback to be of use, in clear conditions with a clean screen there were great though.
Also take some spare heated washer nozzles - they don't cost the earth, take up a small amount of space, are easy to replace and well worth it as they're the most likely freezing point - provided that as mentioned above you have the appropriate fluid to stop it freezing solid in the reservoir and pipes
As above - you're a luck swine, have fun, come back safe with loads of pictures to show us and make us even more jealous LRs are a fond memory, apart from the maintenance.
16th Nov 2010 2:58 pm
Discodeeva
Member Since: 23 Aug 2009
Location: Swindon
Posts: 66
Retro fit heated steering wheel & consider remote switching of Fuel Burning Heater.
A couple of Lenser P7 or T7 torches might be useful.
Good luck.
NJSSAm I Gammon or Woke ? - I neither know nor care.
2016 Discovery 4 Landmark
2011 Mercedes Benz SL350 (R230)
1973 MG B GT V8 - 3.9L John Eales engine, 5 speed R380 gearbox, since 1975.
1959 MGA roadster - 1.9L Peter Burgess Engine - 5 speed gearbox
Past LRs - Multiple FFRs, Discos & a Series I - some petrol, some diesel,
none Electric or H2 fuel cell - yet.
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17th Nov 2010 7:29 am
Andrew Hebron
Member Since: 16 Jan 2009
Location: Teddington
Posts: 501
I've done some ice driving. I think there are 3 issues:
1. getting stuck
2. extreme cold/dark
3. leaving the car for weeks
Here's a brain dump which will probably teach you to suck eggs:
1. Getting stuck:
winter tyres you've already mentioned. Unless you are actively off-roading, I don't think you need studded, just some of those ultra-soft knobblies. I used them quite happily on the pure ice of a frozen lake
extreme anti-freeze / washer fluid
snow shovels / tow straps or ropes - but make sure they're attached with a shackle otherwise you'll be cutting them every time you use them
if "just" stuck, then use the old "rocking" technique to compact the snow before reversing over it, rather than spinning the wheels
always travel with at least 2 vehicles
carry some spare fuel
disconnect the traction control and ABS for more fun
2. Extreme cold / dark
I have a feeling you know about this one; after living / camping out there, even a Disco without a heated steering wheel will feel like a sauna
I find a swivel / magnetic lamp that plugs into a 12v socket useful - sometimes you need light where your forward lamps aren't
3. Leaving the car for a few weeks
check the FBH works
have a spare (auxiliary?) battery
Have a good trip; I'm quite jealous with the driving bit, but you can keep the camping / walking bit!Andrew
17th Nov 2010 12:56 pm
bensaunders
Member Since: 16 Nov 2010
Location: London, UK
Posts: 10
Brilliant - thanks Andrew. (And I used to have a 309, a 205 Gti and a 106 Rallye - brilliant little cars and I miss them all!)
Ben
welcome to the forum
i'm sure you will find what your looking for on here as there is a massive amount of knowledge on this forum.
if you need anything for your Disco's then give me a shout (but i assume LR have got you covered) as a bona fide member of the forum you get the forum discount TLO has left the building.......
I no longer work for a Landrover Dealer
My little chilli sauce business http://www.thechillees.co.uk
if you would like to order anything just give me a shout
Ben,
It may be worth dropping a note to a couple of the Finnish members - jsui & Parjan_fin have both posted recently, but the members' map should reveal a few more who may not be hibernating just yet.Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana
One nice thing that may come handy is some sort of radio communication in the cars.
That way you can chatter all along the road and not worry about cellphone bills and have cool antennas on the roof.
You may also end up in a place without any coverage, even thou Finland probably have almost the whole country covered (http://www.mobileworldlive.com/coverage.asp).
19th Nov 2010 7:40 pm
ArcFro
Member Since: 30 Dec 2005
Location: Helsinki area
Posts: 74
Welcome to Finland Ben!
Having had D3 for four winter season by now, driven in all sorts of weather conditions (including -35 deg), I wouldn't worry about it too much.
Diesel is in northern part of Sweden and Finland by default is arctic grade (label to be found in pump) and will cope with local climate. Before first refuel of arctic grade you should have quite empty tank since already less than 5% of "summer quality" decreases significantly viscosity of diesel.
A and B roads are kept in good driving condition, you need chains only if you want to access unrated "forest roads".
Locals tend to have studded tyres on Discos but I'd be comcortable with any big manufacturers (Conti, GY, Michelin, Nokian) wintertyres. From personal experience I recommend to avoid all season tyres, you can survive with these but they require deep understanding of traction level / weight of vehicle.
Hope this helps in your preparations Ben. Hope you enjoy your stay in Finland!
20th Nov 2010 6:29 am
Ent
Member Since: 12 Oct 2007
Location: In the cack
Posts: 6488
I think all bases have been covered already, just post up some
pictures when you get back you lucky lucky..........
BTW have you got a Jetboil PCS? Really handy bit of kit for making a hot drink or warming a ready meal up with.Club Exped trailer
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20th Nov 2010 7:52 am
ad15
Member Since: 14 Dec 2008
Location: up that tree
Posts: 4866
is it worth covering the grill with a shield? we used to do it to stop the engine bay freezing,, also helped with the radiator.
bad explanation there,,, we used to clip a sheet of cardboard in front of the grill when it was REALLY cold..
anybody else do that?
wrong benone wife.......livid
20th Nov 2010 9:10 am
ad15
Member Since: 14 Dec 2008
Location: up that tree
Posts: 4866
ben,, is your D4 white? parked in the multi story at the ski show?
on the same floor as all the other RR LR.. we were parked next to you..
Almost every Series/Deafener owner in the depths of winter round here, but usually a feed sack. You're supposed to have it warmer in the Duchy.Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana
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wrong ben
