New FL2 owner questions.

[sync1337]

Hey guys i just recently picked up a TD4 SE FL2 and i am loving it, words can't express how good it feels to finally own a brand new car especially something as nice as what i was blessed with.

The reason for this post though is about a few concepts that are new to me seeing this is my first 4wd, first diesel and first turbo car i have owned in my life. The aspect of 4wding as always excited me since i was a child and met a couple of mates over the past 2 years who love it so they promised to take me out some time.

First question is: I notice while i am driving and i accelerate half way sort of thing that when i let go of the accelerator compared to previous cars the speed starts to drop reasonably fast (a km or 2 a second) and feels like the brake is being slightly pressed. Now i know that this is a heavy car compared to anything else i have driven in my life so it is most likely that but i just wanted to clear this up.

Second question: I am not used to the sound of a turbo and it is still playing tricks on me (mainly cause the first week i had loud music on constantly). While accelerating i hear a long drawn out whistling sound and i assume this is just the sound of the turbo sucking in the air? But sometimes i cannot hear the turbo while driving and SOMETIMES when i let go of the accelerator abit its like the turbo shuts off and my acceleration drops considerably. Can anyone give me any tips on using their turbo properly or maybe explain the concept of a turbo abit better to me?

Third Question : ok i have had this baby 2 weeks now and my jeans seem to have left some light stains on the sides of the drivers seat on the white leather. I know this isnt permanent and i can probably clean it off with some leather cleaner but does anyone have any advice with maintaining my leather and rims and just overall condition of the car? i find myself washing or atleast whiping it down a couple of times a week but the rims get dirty so fast.

Anyways hope you guys can help and i think i am just being abit paranoid seeing it is my first new car =]

[Rangier Rover]

I'm not going to try to answer the questions but sounds like you have a HSE. Very nice. We had a look at one in Sydney but that's as far as we got I was very taken by the FL2 as similar in comfort and size to the RRC.

[sync1337]

I'm not going to try to answer the questions but sounds like you have a HSE. Very nice. We had a look at one in Sydney but that's as far as we got I was very taken by the FL2 as similar in comfort and size to the RRC.

What gives you the idea it is a HSE?

[V8Ian]

1. Diesel motors give better engine braking than petrol, due to the higher compression.
2. Sounds like normal spooling music.
3. Keep it under cover.

[Hoff man]

I have just bought the same model with the almond leather and dark biscay blue paint , the leather has me a bit worried too as i have 2 young kids , i feel like tieing their hands and feet together before they get in .
Ive always liked the Mothers range of car products so was going to use their leather conditioner and carnuba wax .
As far as the engine braking im guessing being a new engine it will probably loosen up a bit after a few thousand kilometers.The demo freelander i drove seemed much better than mine is at the moment but it had 5500 kms on the clock .
Brake dust on the rims is an unfortunate thing with all cars , especially on shiny new cars.Try to get a good build up of wax on the paint and rims and a quick hose should wash it off then take it for a drive to bead off the water.
Mine is an td4 se with the style pack , the 19" alloys are painted silver and clear coated .

[nosliwedaw]

First question is: I notice while i am driving and i accelerate half way sort of thing that when i let go of the accelerator compared to previous cars the speed starts to drop reasonably fast (a km or 2 a second) and feels like the brake is being slightly pressed. Now i know that this is a heavy car compared to anything else i have driven in my life so it is most likely that but i just wanted to clear this up.

I'll give this one a go as I own one too. Apart from the diesel engine offering a little bit more than normal in the way of engine braking, the biggest factor is the 6 speed auto that locks up the torque converter in pretty much every gear. When you lift off the throttle it is the same as being in a manual, in gear and lifting off. I like that I don't have to ride the brakes all time around town when going down a bit of a slope.

Congrats on the new purchase. Make sure you give it heaps once it is run in

[LR2Luver]

Hi sync, welcome to the world of FL2
Yes, the whinning noise you hear on acceleration is the turbo charger spinning at maximum revs. It is a normal noise and the more you drive the car the less noticeable it will be. Its driven by exhaust gasses 'blowing' on vanes in one half, and via a connecting shaft , it in turn drives vanes on the other half that are pumping out large quantities of compressed air in to the motor. In the FL2, and indeed many modern turbo'd cars, the vanes driven by the exhaust gasses are varied in pitch/angle, enabling lots of boost at low revs. The pitch of the vanes varies according to the accelerator position.
As for deceleration, well, a petrol car would typically have a compression ratio of 9:1, a diesel would be in the order of 16-17:1. Engine braking is therefore much greater in a diesel. Assuming manual gearboxes. In autos engine braking is less effective, but still greater with a diesel. And with the way LR has programmed the auto trans control module the effect is more noticeable because the trans changes down gears as the car slows. Yes, being a heavy car will aid the slowing, as will extra weight, low tyre pressures, low tread on the tyres, head winds etc. Oh, and having the air-con on, too.
Keeping a new car clean is a bitch! Use a car wash shampoo, not washing-up detergent! Car wash solutions will generally aid in cleaning the wheel rims of brake dust. I use a car cleaning cloth rather than a sponge, and the cloth is easier to use when cleaning the wheels. If you have tinted windows do not use an amonia based window cleaner! They are usually blue in colour. Use a clear window cleaner. As for the seats, well, a quality leather cleaner is best, and dont forget to 'feed' it afterwards. All leatehr should be treated to some leather food every 6 months in Australia. But honestly? If you have kids and are concerned about leaving marks from your jeans, fit some seat covers. They are easily removed for those 'nice' occasions.

[sync1337]

Thanks very much for the info guys it was very helpful indeed.. it has been a couple months since i posted this and the car is running amazing and my obsession with cleaning it every few days is kinda wearing off finally =P

[Dorko]

The best thing to get the stains off the leather is a magic eraser. You can buy them at Woolies for a couple of bucks. Works a treat and takes seconds


Dorko