Thread: Quick question

Originally Posted by camel_landy

DSC doesn't just use the brakes, it can back off the throttle too.

It's the throttle bit that always catches me.

Re HDC; selecting low range will turn on HDC. I always turn it off unless I specifically need it as I've found it'll engage when I don't want or need it.

Is descending steep hills solely reliant on the electronic trickery or does engine braking still play a part? In my Patrol TD42 the engine was the main source of braking, do modern diesels still engine brake in the same manner or is it all up to the brakes?

Well that's up to the driver!
I prefer as I said to slip the box across into command shift and select the gear I want just like a manual. Most of the time I have HDC turned off.

But you can just select the terrain setting you want and let the car do all the rest and listen to the terrible noises HDC makes!

So just like a normal car, the best modification to be done is teaching the driver to Drive properly (in this case off-road) and use the modern tools (that probably describes a few motorists too!) to assist when absolutely in the last 1-5% of ones ability.
Think of Stig in a diesel Astra beating the three loonies in their 70's sports cars!!
PaulB

Originally Posted by TerryO

Same thing with Hill Decent, if you have it in low and then select 1st Gear it rolls down steep hills at about the same low speed as with Hill Decent on yet without any computer braking trickery being used.

I don't like using brakes on steep down hill sections unless absolutely necessary, I'd rather save them until I really need them.

cheers,
Terry

I'm the same about avoiding using e-aids, but if low 1st is holding you're not going down steep and slippery enough hills for HDC to show it's stuff...

On my first trip in my D3 up the high country I poo pooed the idea of HDC. However I found that holding 1st low in low range was not enough to stop the car running away down very steep hills. Used HDC ever since and no probs. As for DSC I have found best to switch off when offroad to avoid any embarrassing moments as it really does cut the throttle!

Originally Posted by discojools

On my first trip in my D3 up the high country I poo pooed the idea of HDC. However I found that holding 1st low in low range was not enough to stop the car running away down very steep hills. Used HDC ever since and no probs.

When 1st in low isn't enough to slow me down then that is when I use the brakes, which are still nice and cool and working well because I don't use HDC.
Just pump the brakes slowely up and down and that almost acts in a basic way as HDC does but your in control rather then the car. 4x4 off road driving should be challenging and fun, if you let the vehicle do all the tricky bits then where is the fun or the skill required?

I guess that is what you have to learn to do very quickly anyway when your main vehicle for going off road is a D1 that doesn't even have ABS.

For the forums newer members who are asking these questions my advice is to go do a decent driver training course which are essential if you want to find out how to drive safely and well off road the correct way. In the Sydney basin I would recommend joining the Range Rover Club, their courses are very good and are also free once your a member.

cheers,
Terry

Originally Posted by TerryO

When 1st in low isn't enough to slow me down then that is when I use the brakes, which are still nice and cool and working well because I don't use HDC.

I'm sorry, but have to say I'm pretty sure that's advice which no 4wd instructor would give you.
In manuals there'll be no grade that low first won't hold you on before you lose traction, and then nothing other than the bottom or a tree will slow you down (accelerator is your best bet for steering).
I think one reason engine braking is so much better than 'pedal braking', is that if a wheel loses traction, the diffs transfer braking to the wheels with grip. It's also much more gentle and progressive, and leaves you free to accelerate for steering if necessary.
In the autos most of us have, low first still offers a surprising amount of engine braking but not as much as manuals and definitely not enough for the proper hills.
Once it's that steep - often with uneven, loose, broken surfaces - you're simply kidding yourself if you think laying an RM Williams on all four wheels is going to be anywhere near as effective as a system that senses and brakes each wheel individually to its limit of traction.
Physics tell us the brakes have to do a certain amount of work to get you to the bottom at a given speed, regardless of how they're applied. It's just a safety thing. That's my 2 cents!