Thread: Do you use low range, CD unlocked?

I know it is a "how long is a piece of string" question but for crawling peak hour traffic what LR gear to do suggest in a 300Tdi Defender? Here in Perth the traffic seems to move somewhere between H1 and H2 when it gets bad.

I never thought of using LR in traffic - seems obvious option now you mention it. Great thing about this site. One day I'll post some particular piece of LR advice others have not figured out already. That will be a red letter day some time in the future.

Originally posted by Defender200Tdi
I use low/unlock quite frequently for the same reasons as most, manoeuvring a trailer around (especially reversing).

I also use high/locked for travelling at speed (well, speed in terms of a Tdi :roll: ) on made gravel roads. It's not needed for traction, but improves the handling/safety no end, especially over corrugations.


Paul [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

Doesn't locked mean all the wheels are on the axles are rotating at the same speed, and cornering ability is greatly reduced, thus this would affect stearing at high speed.
I am only refering to cornering

Originally posted by camel_landy+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(camel_landy)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-Ace
I only use CD when the terrain demands it, most tracks dont need it, i generally use LR, and engage CD when on steep climbs or slipery ground. Alot of the time I use LR simply to reduce the amount the vehicle gets thown around on rough tracks, and negotiating obsticales that require precise wheel placement. Matt

Yep, I'm much the same.

If I'm in low range, I'll jump in & out of CDL as and when I think I'll need it.

For me, low range gets used for really sticky conditions (I don't always drop into low when off-road), towing heavy trainers and occasionally in heavy traffic.

BTW - Did you realise that to drive the armoured Defenders, you have to start off in low range all the time as they weigh in at approx 4-5 tonne!!!!

Mark[/b][/quote]

I dont use it unless i need it for the fear of getting transmission wind up. I know on dirt i generally isnt a problem becuase the surface i loose and the wheels can spin. But the way i see it, if the car can do it easy without it, why use it? Matt

Originally posted by Rovernaut+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rovernaut)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-Defender200Tdi
I use low/unlock quite frequently for the same reasons as most, manoeuvring a trailer around (especially reversing).

I also use high/locked for travelling at speed (well, speed in terms of a Tdi :roll: ) on made gravel roads. It's not needed for traction, but improves the handling/safety no end, especially over corrugations.


Paul [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

Doesn't locked mean all the wheels are on the axles are rotating at the same speed, and cornering ability is greatly reduced, thus this would affect stearing at high speed.
I am only refering to cornering[/b][/quote]

Not exactly it means front and rear drive shafts are rotating at the same speeds there will still be differetial action across axles (unless they are locked as well)


Bushie

Originally posted by Bushie+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bushie)</div><div class='quotemain'>

Originally posted by Rovernaut@
<!--QuoteBegin-Defender200Tdi

I use low/unlock quite frequently for the same reasons as most, manoeuvring a trailer around (especially reversing).

I also use high/locked for travelling at speed (well, speed in terms of a Tdi :roll: ) on made gravel roads. It's not needed for traction, but improves the handling/safety no end, especially over corrugations.


Paul [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

Doesn't locked mean all the wheels are on the axles are rotating at the same speed, and cornering ability is greatly reduced, thus this would affect stearing at high speed.
I am only refering to cornering

Not exactly it means front and rear drive shafts are rotating at the same speeds there will still be differetial action across axles (unless they are locked as well)


Bushie[/b][/quote]

Correct, although locking the centre diff has two effects on "normal" driving:

1. Increased understeer/reduced turning circle
2. Better braking, as you cannot lock up one axle without the other. This is why CDs should be locked on hills.

I put my Defender into low range CD unlocked quite frequently, it only takes a second, gives you more control, is safer and saves the clutch. A friend has a 130 and when he reversed up my drive with a load in the back he didn't, and he was definitely slipping the clutch and even jerked backwards. To save all that he could have just slipped into low as he selected reverse.

It's an interesting question for LR owners as it's a capability our trucks have which very few others also have. Certainly part-time 4WDs with unlocked hubs could do it too, but in 2WD. I wondered how many LR owners there were out there who didn't fully utilise their truck's capability and the answer is, not many on this board, as expected!!!

Originally posted by Rovernaut+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rovernaut)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-Defender200Tdi
I use low/unlock quite frequently for the same reasons as most, manoeuvring a trailer around (especially reversing).

I also use high/locked for travelling at speed (well, speed in terms of a Tdi :roll: ) on made gravel roads. It's not needed for traction, but improves the handling/safety no end, especially over corrugations.


Paul [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

Doesn't locked mean all the wheels are on the axles are rotating at the same speed, and cornering ability is greatly reduced, thus this would affect stearing at high speed.
I am only refering to cornering[/b][/quote]

only on a real tight corner

As we are expected to be responsible off roaders selecting low range, the right gear and locking the CDL is much kinder on both the vehicle and the track not to mention those behind us.

I'll have a dig at discowhite (see photos in another thread) :wink:

Its about treading lightly.

Originally posted by one_iota
As we are expected to be responsible off roaders selecting low range, the right gear and locking the CDL is much kinder on both the vehicle and the track not to mention those behind us.

I'll have a dig at discowhite (see photos in another thread) :wink:

Its about treading lightly.

I agree, I don't have much time for the "well I got got there in 2WD" or "didn't even 'need' to lock the CD" attitude.

This thread was(is) about CD unlocked, low range, which doesn't often have an application offroad, more onroad.