Thread: Defender xtreme traction control

In the Disco's if you select CDL, then turn car off then on, ABS/TCS doesnt start,,
this from memory, a quick search might give better results--
lots of discussion earlier,,,

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

In the Disco's if you select CDL, then turn car off then on, ABS/TCS doesnt start,,
this from memory, a quick search might give better results--
lots of discussion earlier,,,

I'd love to know whether this is the case with the fender. I suppose I could go down and try it... maybe later.

Anyway, having said that I can't think of a good reason why you'd want to disable it. I'n my experience TC is a good little friend to have. IMHO not as good as lockers, but much better than none.

Originally Posted by Captain_Rightfoot

I'd love to know whether this is the case with the fender. I suppose I could go down and try it... maybe later.

Anyway, having said that I can't think of a good reason why you'd want to disable it. I'n my experience TC is a good little friend to have. IMHO not as good as lockers, but much better than none.

I agree.

Chuck from Haultech tested the TC on mine for over an hour to get a direct comparison to the Haultech Traction Control because I was thinking of changing.

Bottom line was that the factory TC was just as good as the HTC, but it overheated LONG before the HTC did.

The factory TC is not as good as lockers...but smart driving and good wheel placement should see you conquer most obstacles.

Big reds TC got a thourough work out just after her 5000km breakin service...

I spent nearly a day doing everything that was within reason and could sensibley be done wrong, wrong..


I only found 2 ways of really getting her stopped, not counting blatently incorrect gear selection.

1. up hill starts on sand dunes with road pressure in the General Grabbers

2. stopping in bog holes with the wheels up against the edge (trying to climb out) before trying to self recover. (again at road pressure)

Yes I managed to get the TC hot enough to turn itself off but it lasted a lot longer than I was prepared to give it credit for...

I like having it but dont like seeing it come on.. IMHO if the vehicle electronics have to help me out Im not driving correctly.

I also use it as a warning, IF the TC come on then I am driving near the limits of available traction and extra caution should be used.

Traction control plus tru-tracs should be a great combination.

Performance should be so close to selectable lockers, but easier to use, better steering and easier on the driveline.

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

In the Disco's if you select CDL, then turn car off then on, ABS/TCS doesnt start,,
this from memory, a quick search might give better results--
lots of discussion earlier,,,

This is only the case in pre-MY03 D2s that didn't have lever for the CDL. MY03 onwards modifies the parameters when the CDL is locked but ABS/TC is retained.

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

I also use it as a warning, IF the TC come on then I am driving near the limits of available traction and extra caution should be used.

Me too - I treat it as a handy little warning light. Call me boring, but I reckon the 4WD abilities of your vehicle are there to help out when absolutely necessary and I don't seek to deliberately put myself in a position that may require a recovery. Hence TC is a bit like air-bags. You don't go around pranging into things just to see them work.

Obviously this philisophy doesn't go the same for competitive off-roading.

I thought I read somewhere that a switch could be fitted to the Defenders to disable TC???
I'd be curious to see if my Defender could get going ok in soft sand without Traction Control.
This is the only time T.C. sort of annoys me, as it seemed to suck the power away...
but when you see how far and deep your tracks are when you finally get 'stuck'...(well not really stuck, you just back up, pick a new line!)
it goes a lot further than other non locked/TC equiped 4x4s I've seen.
Rest of the time, more right foot solved TC issues... 4 wheel drifting in mud anyone!!!

I've yet to have a good offroad sand session with the TD5 chipped, so may have to update this comment later!