Thread: Technical off road capability

I have done some of the Vic High Country in my Defender - with a Mux and Land Cruiser in the group. The Land Cruiser driver said “the Defender just ate it up.”

There is some nay saying from classic Defender owners. We camped next to one last night (camping rules apply!) At my suggestion that the new one was very capable, there was a snort of disbelief. I had to let that one go through to the keeper....his was equipped with highway tyres and a Mulgo Pop Top. I like the style of the classic Defender having owned one for 17 years but substance beats style.

One thing I discovered after the event was the control of Hill Descent Control.

It is automatically activated when low range is selected. It is very effective. Crawling down hill at less than a walking pace is reassuring.

What I have found out via the manual is that the speed of descent can be controlled with the + and - buttons on the steering wheel. There is a mysterious graphic on the bottom of the driver's screen that is supposed to indicate this setting.

I really like the Defender's HDC compared with my 2013 D4. It disengages when you intentionally speed up and doesn't re-engage until below the set speed.
So you don't get that immediate kick in of the braking every time you lift your foot off the accelerator.
Also a great feel on the braking.

Originally Posted by one_iota

One thing I discovered after the event was the control of Hill Descent Control.

It is automatically activated when low range is selected. It is very effective. Crawling down hill at less than a walking pace is reassuring.

What I have found out via the manual is that the speed of descent can be controlled with the + and - buttons on the steering wheel. There is a mysterious graphic on the bottom of the driver's screen that is supposed to indicate this setting.

It’s been the same forever to adjust HDC decent speed. D3 and D4 you use the plus minus speed buttons on the steering wheel.

Originally Posted by DiscoJeffster

It’s been the same forever to adjust HDC decent speed. D3 and D4 you use the plus minus speed buttons on the steering wheel.

Having come from the "stone age" driving a classic Defender where HDC was selecting low 1st, rudimentary cross axle only traction control and my right foot this is "space age"!