Thread: D4 Tardy acceleration up steep slope in 4wd

You always need to be in low range in most off road situations, other than high speed sand. The 4WD systems are designed to work in low range, including cross valving of the suspension, transmission settings and TR etc. some are not active unless you are in low range. As others have said, maximum traction occurs in Rock Crawl mode and when all else fails you will usually be able to get going in low range Rock Crawl mode, even in soft sand.

People like DiscoTwinTurbo and maybe GGHaggis might chime in with some advise (DiscoTwinTurbo has some posts on similar problems in sand and low range was the main answer for him) but failing going to one of Gordon's courses I would purchase his handbook, which will reveal all. It is available from the GOE web site.

Bob

Interesting, I had a similar issue at barrington a couple of weekends ago, was in the mud tr system and seemed not to want to kick down. Was in high, as I got higher up the track I switched to low range and the issue disappeared. All of a sudden the d4 felt unstoppable, to steal another brands line... I love that car

I've never liked how the transmission behaves when climbing steep hills off-road, in both the D3 and the D4.

The way I get around it is to just select gears manually - problem goes away.

Cheers,
Jon

Grass/snow/gravel completely retards throttle....designed to stop any mashing of the loud pedal. I don't have snow over here, and on gravel I prefer to mash it when appropriate. If I was on a slippery grass hill, I would not use this mode....so basically I will never use this mode.

Slippery muddy climbs (not heavily rutted or with much wheel lifting....steep slippery track), I have found works better in low range, dsc on, mud/ruts. Steady throttle.

When you need slower going with wheel lifting and better throttle control, low range, dsc off, rock crawl works best. Rock crawl is such a great mode. Just applying light, steady throttle input (keep pushing it a little harder) builds up the torque enough to get the best out of the traction control, and the D4 crawls up and over obstacles even on factory tyres without a sweat.

GOE course is the way to go...read "mandatory". Gordon gives you the tools and guidance you need to get out and experiment yourself.

It's an amazing car. It will smash even modified Toymoto's and Patrols.....and it's good to watch their jaws drop when they have struggled and not gone through, where you have just been.

Sand.....well that's another story on how well you can blow the others away when you learn how to drive her.....GOE course.

Brett.....

I was able to consistently replicate the issue on a steep asphalt road leading to the lookout in Port Douglas. It seems it has a pause and think before deciding to kick down regardless of accelerator %. Only seems to do it in 2nd to 1st situations.

Originally Posted by Sparkybreno

I was able to consistently replicate the issue on a steep asphalt road leading to the lookout in Port Douglas. It seems it has a pause and think before deciding to kick down regardless of accelerator %. Only seems to do it in 2nd to 1st situations.

Mine seems to do it even when you floor it still seems to think about it for what feels like quite a bit before doing anything it's a bit odd!!

Did the same trip 2 weeks ago, dragged the van to Cape Trib, but went solo to Wujil-Wujil.
No full on rain then but was damp, D3 td. can't say that I noticed any problem on the hills (but I do find the drop back from 2nd to 1st can be slow at most times - different box I know), did the whole trip in high range normal height, did go to off road height once in a creek on the way up but not coming back.

Because of the damp conditions was surprised at the number of vehicles pulling camper trailers we passed on the Bloomfield, most going south. We took all day for the drive, a look to stop and look at.

DD