Defender traction control

[firsttimedefender]

Searched around and can only find some info on other models. Has anyone done much sand driving with the newer model PUMA Defender? (I have a 2009). Reading 4WD Action article on buying second-hand seems some disappointment with the way traction control performs on the sand. They are doing a long-term test on the PUMA model.
I've only tried mud and hills so far (A+++)
Kind of makes sense that there would be a problem in the sand - similar to the early versions of traction control in the discos. Wheel spins, so opposite brakes, slowing momentum. Not sure if this is the case, does anyone know from experience?
If a problem, can you disconnect temporarily, perhaps pull a fuse?

[stig0000]

i have tc and on the sand i found it dident do much realy as you only realy want to keep going, and it kills brakes,, all my brakes were stuffed after the 5days on fraser,,

and yes jsut pull the ABS fuse, it will bring the light on but it will go off next time you put it back in,, and it wont store a code

[TimNZ]

I've driven quite a lot of sand in my "Puma" 110, (sand is quite unavoidable here in WA). I've found the TC very rarely activates in soft sand, so long as you lock the center diff.

In 70,000 ks I have changed the rear pads twice, I am still on the original front set.

Cheers,

Tim

[dmdigital]

No problems with TC and sand. Can't see why people bag it:confused:

Tyre pressures and correct gear selection are more important and the Puma's gearing is great.

[Drover]

X 2 what dmdigital said.

I have had mine on the Beach at Hawks Nest many times and a couple of time on Stockton.

TC didn't cause any problems, actually hardly ever activated. Tyre pressure and gear selection is the key.

[Allan]

Mine used to kick in a lot in soft sand until I removed the sway bars, now I rarely hear it. It kicked in in clay at Warroona dam but thats to be expected. Only trouble with pulling the fuse is no ABS. Someone in the UK suggested wiring a switch into the fuse holder so it can be used when needed and removed for service, may be the trick.

Allan

[firsttimedefender]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I went everywhere in my discovery 1 with no traction control, and I'm hoping the defender will be more capable.
I'm headed up north to Kimberleys, Kakadu, etc, so I guess the trick is to see how it goes. The Tanami might be the test for me - if I have any grief I'll let you know, and just pull the fuse if so.
Thanks again, great feedback!

[firsttimedefender]

No problems with TC and sand. Can't see why people bag it:confused:

Tyre pressures and correct gear selection are more important and the Puma's gearing is great.

Thanks mate - just so we're clear, I wasn't bagging the TC. I love it in the mud. Stock standard with road tyres and 200km on the clock I put a few mates with jacked up 4WDs to shame. They all got bogged with 33's in a mud hole and the defender went straight through; they had snatches on the ready and were disappointed I didn't need a lift! But like all technology, there are limits - so I still have doubts about the sand, but I can't wait to have a crack.

[rangieman]

As others have said the T/C hardly ever operates on sand which i noticed on my last trip the boarder track and the big desert here in vic , Never saw the T/C come on once;)

[Michael2]

There was a good educational video somewhere from land Rover about the dial settings on the D3. It compared recommended driving styles on a TC Land Rover as opposed to an earlier model.

For things like mud, where one traditionally goes slower so as not to break traction, it recommended a heavier right foot, so that any wheel spin actually activated TC.

For the sand setting, the video said that the TC was turned off.

I can't remember where I saw it, but it may be on you tube. I did get a DVD from Land Rover promoting the D3 when it was first released, I don't think it was in that, but I can check next week when I'm back, and if I find it I'll pass it on to you when I see you next.

[SVX37]

As a few others have said, no issue at all in sand.

Tyres pressures are the most important thing in sand.

I spent 4 days on the beaches or Robe, and did the Beachport to Robe run.

A few vehicles I was with: Disco 3 struggled - too heavy, Disco series 1 TDi - bogged a couples of times, Defender 130's TDi's struggled - too gutless. Again, tyre pressure and momentum are key.

My Puma never felt like getting bogged - great gearing and Torque.
Also, I tried with centre Diff lock engaged and not engaged and still no issues although it does it so much better with the Centre Diff Lock engaged.
:)

[land864]

So for an 02 Fender with TC , what is your recommended Tyre pressure with 235 85 R16 Mud tyres fitted. ( I know , maybe not best for sand but as a spare set , I got what I got)
May be doing the Simpson in Sept travelling West to East:)
Don't want to get stuck on Big Red with all the other nasty brands watching :angel:

[Loubrey]

The lower the preasure the bigger the footprint, as all know. With a heavy-ish vehicle you don't want to go too low (especially the fronts) as with radials you might get seperation at the bead and that is a BIG problem in sand.

I met some guys in the Namib Desert who drove around in 4x2 utes with their tyres as low as 0.8 bar.

Back to topic! Took my 90 Puma to the Leeuwen Naturalista nature reserve over the week end and did a lot of sand driving. TC only came on 3 times during the entire weekend and all were serious cross axle situations. Worked absolutely superb. I was a devoted 300Tdi man untill I drove the Puma 90, and as much as I love them, there's no going back!

Cheers