Thread: When to lock CDL

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Thanks.
So does that mean vehicles with effective TC such as my Puma should be less vulnerable because the TC stops the wheels from spinning?

Interesting question

Originally Posted by ProjectDirector

Interesting question

...so nice its now been asked twice.

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Thanks.
So does that mean vehicles with effective TC such as my Puma should be less vulnerable because the TC stops the wheels from spinning?

I always thought traction control activates after the there is an imbalance between wheels (one spinning)

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Thanks.
So does that mean vehicles with effective TC such as my Puma should be less vulnerable because the TC stops the wheels from spinning?

Prevention is better than cure IMO, which is why I lock my CDL often and also partly why I’m saving $ for an ATB. ...as Weeds says, TC only stops a wheel slipping after it starts. It doesn’t do anything to strengthen the driveline.

Hang on, why are we concerned about spinning wheels on hard-pack gravel roads etc?

Can the CD not also be preserved by maintaining a driving style that's less flamboyant than Colin McRae?

Originally Posted by ninetubes

Hang on, why are we concerned about spinning wheels on hard-pack gravel roads etc?

Can the CD not also be preserved by maintaining a driving style that's less flamboyant than Colin McRae?

Because some hard packed gravel roads are not as they first seem, nor are they consistent + a locked CDL provides better traction regardless.

Even in my old 4WD's without the benefit of a CDL I would engage 4WD once I got off the bitumen.
It can't do any harm to engage 4WD or the CDL and it makes good sense on the dirt, tracks or beach to be in 4WD anyway, Why wait until you get stuck or start spinning wheels.
You could rely solely on the traction control in the loose stuff But if you have a CDL why not use it, It's Not that hard to push the lever over.

I got into the habit of flicking the lever across (when hitting anything that isn't bitumen) when driving my previous Defenders, and now do it in my D1 without much conscious effort. It's similar to flicking the gear lever to Sport mode in my D3 when slowing down and going through a roundabout or entering merging traffic (to avoid the 'pregnant pause').