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Snow and your DS

18K views 63 replies 18 participants last post by  simon 
#1 ·
First real time of driving the DS in the snow this morning. Fresh snow 75 to 100mm deep in the flat no problem at all. Engaging snow mode resulted in increased traction, however a bit to much right foot resulted in slight understeer. Used hdc on a long decent great piece of equipment.
Unfortunately I had a scary moment at no more than 5mph, on fresh snow with ice underneath on a steep decent. Abs working 100% and no retardation until the slope levelled out. Thankfully nothing coming in the opposite direction.
It just goes to show that all the technology in the world won't help if there is zero grip. It did however steer even when the abs was in meltdown.
I'm just glad I accounted for the conditions and kept the speed low.
Great machine :)
 
#4 ·
Don't forget to turn off DSC too as well as terrain mode for snow.

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#5 ·
Can I naively ask why you'd want to turn off DSC & terrain mode when driving in snow? Surely that's exactly what they're there for? (I've seen this mentioned a couple of times now & would like to understand the reasoning).
 
#6 ·
I think what wardie means is that when in GGS mode, turn off the DSC.

I was taught this some 8 years ago on an Experience day, it's to allow the vehicle a bit of slippage so that it can keep moving. Electronics can if used inappropriately, bog a Land Rover down to the point that you end up going nowhere and wheels just spin in the white stuff.
 
#7 ·
Badgerface said:
I think what wardie means is that when in GGS mode, turn off the DSC.

I was taught this some 8 years ago on an Experience day, it's to allow the vehicle a bit of slippage so that it can keep moving. Electronics can if used inappropriately, bog a Land Rover down to the point that you end up going nowhere and wheels just spin in the white stuff.
Yes that's what I meant thanks for being clearer :)

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#9 ·
OK so the brakes are nearly shot and I've booked in for new pads and I would have had teh DS back before the snow arrived.

But>

The parts the place got in do not fit! They can't get parts taht do, now they're saying "dealer only". I've called my tame non-LR LR specialist and he's getting some in for tomorrow but, meantime

- the snow has arrived. Not massive, but enough that driving the SLK aorund would be just asking for an accident. It shall not be moved.
- the 90 has a *totally* flat battery. Of course. Why wouldn't it.
- the jump leads are in the DS at the tyre shop. ANyway, can't easily get the 90 close enough to another vehicle to jump start it without starting it...

So I'm snow stranded! Thankfully the tyre guys are happy to push the DS back into the workshop overnight so I can pick it up in the morning but until I can start the 90, we're stranded!

Yeah yeah, I know, shold've checked the 90 earlier in the week...

Anyone else had new brakes done by a non-dealer?
 
#10 ·
ccomley said:
- the 90 has a *totally* flat battery. Of course. Why wouldn't it.
I was about to post a sarcastic comment about being impressed with you having a LR 90 EV....

But that made me think I wonder how any EV owners are getting on with these very cold temps - given I'm assuming that battery performance tails off on those cars with the cold just like in other appliances? Maybe there is a solution for it to be able to sell the cars in cold climates in the first place [yes I know off topic, sorry]

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#11 ·
NAh - it's just that I keep the 90 for off-roading and similar and have not done any recently. IN fact I think it's about 3 months since it was last started.

Usually when I'm expecting to use it I put the accumate on it the day before, check the fluids, etc., Shoudl have done that yesterday...
 
#12 ·
wardie said:
But that made me think I wonder how any EV owners are getting on with these very cold temps - given I'm assuming that battery performance tails off on those cars with the cold just like in other appliances? Maybe there is a solution for it to be able to sell the cars in cold climates in the first place [yes I know off topic, sorry]

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Does the cold affect actual performance or just cause the battery to lose charge more quickly? I'd expect a battery that is kept on charge, as most EVs will be, would be OK, may even be kept warm by the charging process, and once in use the car would warm up. Might be a problem if the car is parked without being plugged in?
 
#13 ·
Past master said:
Does the cold affect actual performance or just cause the battery to lose charge more quickly? I'd expect a battery that is kept on charge, as most EVs will be, would be OK, may even be kept warm by the charging process, and once in use the car would warm up. Might be a problem if the car is parked without being plugged in?
If my battery doesn't have enough charge to crank the lump in the morning, I'll let you know. Past experience with a TDi300 in v-cold weather is, it takes some starting. My D1 had a block heater which worked a treat, but the 90 doesn't. So I'm expecting it to need to crank for more than a couple of seconds.
 
#14 ·
One of the biggest problems for EVs of course is the battery is the oly source of power for the heating! SO when it's -7 when you get in your car in the morning, you can expect reduced range unless you're in your thermals, and even more reduced if you weren't smart enough to get the car warming up on mains power before you get in it!!
 
#15 ·
ccomley said:
If my battery doesn't have enough charge to crank the lump in the morning, I'll let you know. Past experience with a TDi300 in v-cold weather is, it takes some starting. My D1 had a block heater which worked a treat, but the 90 doesn't. So I'm expecting it to need to crank for more than a couple of seconds.
I was referring to EV batteries. A cold diesel will always be harder to start - glow plugs drain ing the battery, cold diesel unwilling to ignite, and cold oil in the engine and, especially, in the gearbox, which is why you always crank with your foot on the clutch.
 
#16 ·
We had over a foot of snow in Norfolk, courtesy of the 'Beast from the East', so while everyone else stayed in for a duvet day, I dug out the DS & drove down some of the local lanes, in virgin snow over a foot deep in places where it had drifted, I used 'Snow, Gravel & Grass mode' initially & then when it became really deep I used 'Sand' mode. On the slight hills & approaches to junctions I played around with Hill Descent Control & overall the DS was impeccable & I was impressed. Later on in the day I went into Norwich the 'back' way & drove around numerous stranded non 4WD cars stuck on inclines. The main 'A' roads were nose to tail with stuck cars, so I just took the hard routes....'simples', I didn't have an issue! :lol:
 

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#19 ·
Have to agree. I'm just watching some bint on Sky News whinging because she's been stuck on the M80 overnight in her Audi. I have NO sympathy, given that the Red warning for Scotland was issued yesterday morning - why oh why do people put themselves in this situation in the first place, then moan because no-one has come to their immediate aid?! Utter prat's, the lot of 'em!
 
#20 ·
To be fair if you look at the first picture on my post you will see that for 95% of my trip I chose rural tracks that are not normally used & when I had to go into the City I deliberately stayed off the main roads.
 
#22 ·
There's plenty of fun ways to use the car that won't potentially kill you or your passengers, off road for instance, but severe weather has the potential to, particularly if you ignore Police and Met warnings to keep indoors.

If you saw someone go out in a small boat in a gale, you'd be unsympathetic at best if something happened. A car is no different.
 
#23 ·
I have had over 50 years driving experience; 10 years military including training with '45' Commando, 20 years 'Safari' 4WD experience in Africa, South America & the Caribbean & as a Police Driver; I know my capabilities & wanted to explore those of my vehicle in a rural route unused by other vehicles. There may not be snow here for many years but now I know what the car can & can't do & when I have to go out in poor conditions I can make an informed decision. :D
 
#24 ·
DS SteveB said:
I have had over 50 years driving experience; 10 years military including training with '45' Commando, 20 years 'Safari' 4WD experience in Africa, South America & the Caribbean & as a Police Driver; I know my capabilities & wanted to explore those of my vehicle in a rural route unused by other vehicles. There may not be snow here for many years but now I know what the car can & can't do & when I have to go out in poor conditions I can make an informed decision. :D
Well said Steve, I thought the idea of buying a land rover was that you could use it when other cars can't be used, my Merc will be staying put at the moment as we have an inch of snow - more due later. I may have to take it out later if my wife doesn't want to drive her mini countryman home from work, will be interested to see how it performs in the snow.
 
#25 ·
Hi, with DTC selected, any spinning wheel will be braked to assist stability during driving. In snow mode etc, selecting DTC off will allow that wheel to spin, but at least (hopefully) one wheel should have traction and keep you moving until grip is re-established.
 
#26 ·
Thought you'd mentioned in another post, you'd worked for over 30 years in the insurance industry.

Anyway, I think we are going to have to differ on this one. :D It's quite simple, in this weather if your advised not to travel on public roads unless it's an emergency, don't. If you want to play, find a field.
 
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