Chipmunk · Feb 12, 2021

Morning all

The wife and I are now the proud owners of a 2014 Freelander 2 Metropolis. A very nice car although we did find out on the first day we got it, that being a 4x4 doesn't give much advantage when 'driving' down a slope covered in ice!

Can anyone tell me whether the Electronic Parking Brake switch should light up when the parking brake is on? There is a warning light on the dashboard and the switch does have a small green light when the dash lights are on, however it's seem logical (to me) that the switch would also light up to show the parking brake was activate.

Much appreciated.

Nodge68 · Feb 12, 2021

Chipmunk said:
A very nice car although we did find out on the first day we got it, that being a 4x4 doesn't give much advantage when 'driving' down a slope covered in ice!

4x4 gives only a marginal improvement going down an icy hill, as all vehicles have brakes on all 4 wheels.
Ice driving requires proper winter tyres.
Using HDC will help maintain steering control, but if less than ideal tyres slip on the surface, then unfortunately control is limited.
The laws of physics can't be altered, no matter how many wheel drive the vehicle has.

@Hippo can answer the parking brake light question.

Chipmunk · Feb 12, 2021

I know - it's perfectly logical when you think about it

It reminded me of the first time I hit a steepish slope after learning how to snow plough (ski) - anyone who has skied before will know that snow ploughing has it's limitation and becomes Ineffective after a certain speed (or slope gradient). That exhilarating feeling of being completely out of control ...

GrumpyGel · Feb 12, 2021

Chipmunk said:
I know - it's perfectly logical when you think about it It reminded me of the first time I hit a steepish slope after learning how to snow plough (ski) - anyone who has skied before will know that snow ploughing has it's limitation and becomes Ineffective after a certain speed (or slope gradient). That exhilarating feeling of being knackered and completely out of control ...

Edited for accuracy!

Chipmunk · Feb 12, 2021

Yes - that's probably more accurate

Nodge68 · Feb 12, 2021

Chipmunk said:
I know - it's perfectly logical when you think about it

Did you use Snow mode?
as that will help. Engaging HDC will help too, you simply set the decent speed to slowest speed possible.

Chipmunk · Feb 12, 2021

Nodge68 said:
Did you use Snow mode?
as that will help. Engaging HDC will help too, you simply set the decent speed to slowest speed possible.

It was in snow mode however I hadn't engaged HDC - something I thought about after we had reached the bottom the hill! I did wonder though, given we had so liitle grip - literally only enough to steer by - whether the added drag of the motor via HDC would have caused us to spin? Certainly touching the brakes immediately engaged ABS with zero effect.

Nodge68 · Feb 12, 2021

Chipmunk said:
I did wonder though, given we had so liitle grip - literally only enough to steer by - whether the added drag of the motor via HDC would have caused us to spin?

HDC uses a very different algorithm to normal brakes.
It's job is to try to maintain the target speed, while maintaining control. The HDC module has all the information it needs to be able to do it's best in these situations, but obviously only within the boundaries of physics.

I've use HDC on slippery surfaces, finding it quite good at maintaining steering control, whilst keeping the decent speed in check. However I had good all surface tyres on my Freelander, which does make a world of difference.

Hippo · Feb 12, 2021

The led in the park brake switch only lights up on FL2's when the side lights or head lights are switched on. That doesn't change when being applied/released.

A Freelander 2 is a bit heavier than a Freelander 1. FL1 hdc downhill demo over ere >>> Freelander 1 hdc demo

Just bear in mind a FL2 can vary the speed hdc works at too.

I've got a metropolis anorl.

Chipmunk · Feb 12, 2021

Thanks for confirming @Hippo

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