traction control

Nodge68 said:

And Hdc

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that's what I meant

In other words HDC is a bit of a gimic cos it doesn't do anything that your right foot on the brake pedal & the ABS can do, which is why I never use it for descending hills

matacaibo said:

In other words HDC is a bit of a gimic cos it doesn't do anything that your right foot on the brake pedal & the ABS can do, which is why I never use it for descending hills

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Have you actually tried using it?

I think it's very good as long as your brakes are ok and your Tyres matched etc. tried it lots of times and you can feel and hear the brakes working away.

I was particularly impressed on a field covered with snow - also a very wet field - it allowed driving around without breaking the grass and exposing mud.

sijwhite said:

Have you actually tried using it?

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Yes about once every 6 months or so I wonder what all the fuss is about so I switch it on pull back the feet & off we go, it goes too fast to pick your way down a rocky decent & on grassy / muddy slopes the ABS & my foot does it just as well, if you try and help it when you think you are going too fast the pedal goes hard & you wonder if you could actually stop if you wanted too, at that point I switch it off & take back control of the brakes. It is what it is, a marketing ploy by Land Rover to offset the lack of low range on a Freelander. The traction control on the other hand is absolutely superb, requires a different driving technique but it is just fantastic.

matacaibo said:

Yes about once every 6 months or so I wonder what all the fuss is about so I switch it on pull back the feet & off we go, it goes too fast to pick your way down a rocky decent & on grassy / muddy slopes the ABS & my foot does it just as well, if you try and help it when you think you are going too fast the pedal goes hard & you wonder if you could actually stop if you wanted too, at that point I switch it off & take back control of the brakes. It is what it is, a marketing ploy by Land Rover to offset the lack of low range on a Freelander. The traction control on the other hand is absolutely superb, requires a different driving technique but it is just fantastic.

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Mine (MY2006) doesn't behave that way at all. If anything it feels a little on the slow side. It has been superb on the few occasions I've felt the need to use it.

Nodge68 said:

Hdc will limit the vehicle speed to around 6 mph with your foot off the gas and you are in first or reverse. It can be left switched on all the time as it's only active in first or reverse. In theory you could let the vehicle potter along at 6 mph while you are taking a shot but as to weather you hit what you shot at is another matter I just park up on a local permission and wait for Mr bunny to come out to feed.

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Would not recommend this unless on grass or loose stones because as soon as you try to change into second gear (foot of the accelerator) HDC cuts straight in nearly put me through the windscreen as I had accidentally switched it on while hoovering the car out and had not noticed boy does it brake hard especially on tarmac

matacaibo said:

Yes about once every 6 months or so I wonder what all the fuss is about so I switch it on pull back the feet & off we go, it goes too fast to pick your way down a rocky decent & on grassy / muddy slopes the ABS & my foot does it just as well, if you try and help it when you think you are going too fast the pedal goes hard & you wonder if you could actually stop if you wanted too, at that point I switch it off & take back control of the brakes. It is what it is, a marketing ploy by Land Rover to offset the lack of low range on a Freelander. The traction control on the other hand is absolutely superb, requires a different driving technique but it is just fantastic.

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Same as you John, used it a few times.....but think it's too fast. And as you say, traction control is excellent.

sijwhite said:

Mine (MY2006) doesn't behave that way at all. If anything it feels a little on the slow side. It has been superb on the few occasions I've felt the need to use it.

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I realise Im in the minority here, most people love HDC but both my Freelanders have behaved the same, a manual & an Auto, I just feel I can do better than the HDC, have'nt lost control yet but planning to do Stile End, a very steep lane in the Lake district in a couple of weeks, now that will be entertaining with or without HDC

there is a time and place to use it

on the odd occasion i have, it has worked superbly



i do like to control my decent myself though

I must try it on my 2006 td4 I used it on my old one a 2001 td4 both autos

paul1967 said:

Would not recommend this unless on grass or loose stones because as soon as you try to change into second gear (foot of the accelerator) HDC cuts straight in nearly put me through the windscreen as I had accidentally switched it on while hoovering the car out and had not noticed boy does it brake hard especially on tarmac

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It shouldn't brake the car when you change up to second from first as there is a switch on the clutch pedal that cuts the Hdc as soon as you push the pedal down. If it's applying the brake when the clutch pedal is down there is a fault with the pedal switch. The system is designed to be left active so it works automatically I will say more effective on an auto where there is limited engine braking.

matacaibo said:

In other words HDC is a bit of a gimic cos it doesn't do anything that your right foot on the brake pedal & the ABS can do, which is why I never use it for descending hills

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It's excellent for stopping in the snow or on ice. I have an auto. If I'm slipping in the snow whack it into 1st, hit the button, it does its thing and when you've slowed right down brake to a stop.

what he said ^ ditto

I find it usefull for getting up and over speed humps:screaming_bug_eye_f

Nodge68 said:

It shouldn't brake the car when you change up to second from first as there is a switch on the clutch pedal that cuts the Hdc as soon as you push the pedal down. If it's applying the brake when the clutch pedal is down there is a fault with the pedal switch. The system is designed to be left active so it works automatically I will say more effective on an auto where there is limited engine braking.

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Thanks Nodge68 will have a look at that or it could be a case of my left foot is not a quick as my right one. I take it that the switch would be similar to the brake light switch and would be situated on or around the clutch pedal

Cheers Paul