ZDomZ · Jan 15, 2014

I guess you drive sensibly all the time then!

Zigzagsky · Jan 15, 2014

If you look at the comparative economy of a diesel in summer and winter, they tend to be better in the summer anyway irrespective of the drive since a diesel runs more efficiently when warmer weather is present as far as I know.

Kizzeh · Jan 15, 2014

Zigzagsky said:
If you look at the comparative economy of a diesel in summer and winter, they tend to be better in the summer anyway irrespective of the drive since a diesel runs more efficiently when warmer weather is present as far as I know.

...and you haven't got your lights, heaters etc on which makes the alternator work more which in turn drops fuel economy.
In theory it should be better on fuel in winter with cooler, denser air.

Zigzagsky · Jan 15, 2014

Thought the cooler air only was beneficial the petrol cars?

Kizzeh · Jan 15, 2014

Zigzagsky said:
Thought the cooler air only was beneficial the petrol cars?

I should probably take my intercooler off then. I forgot about the additives they put in winter fuel aswell. They won't help your mpg much either

Zigzagsky · Jan 15, 2014

Kizzeh said:
I should probably take my intercooler off then. I forgot about the additives they put in winter fuel aswell. They won't help your mpg much either

Oh yes, I'd forgotten about the additive changes made in winter

Northern Irelander · Jan 15, 2014

ZDomZ said:
Mine had the prop removed when I got it due to ird issues. However comparing it to the way one with a prop on drives. There is no comparison, I hate the way 2wd scrabbles for grip. 4wd feels so much more composed.

If you're spinning the wheels at junctions, deliver the power more slowly.

1.8 k-series will spin exactly the same in the rover/MG 2wd models.

Also it appears you have 195 R 15 tyres which also are pretty narrow for the power going to the front, I should know, have exactly the same tyre profile!

Northern Irelander · Jan 15, 2014

Nodge68 said:
Maybe, only my V6 makes little difference between 2WD and 4X4!!

Maybe something to do with the auto box?

Nodge68 · Jan 15, 2014

Zigzagsky said:
If you look at the comparative economy of a diesel in summer and winter, they tend to be better in the summer anyway irrespective of the drive since a diesel runs more efficiently when warmer weather is present as far as I know.

My wife's Astra GTC diesel is 5 mpg worse on fuel in winter compared to summer.

Nodge68 · Jan 15, 2014

Northern Irelander said:
Maybe something to do with the auto box?

Maybe. On day when the auto packs up I'll consider doing a manual conversion.

ZDomZ · Jan 15, 2014

Northern Irelander said:
If you're spinning the wheels at junctions, deliver the power more slowly.

1.8 k-series will spin exactly the same in the rover/MG 2wd models.

Also it appears you have 195 R 15 tyres which also are pretty narrow for the power going to the front, I should know, have exactly the same tyre profile!

I think the freelander spins easier than the rovers with the same engine due to the way the landy pitches and rolls more than a car and it also has more weight to try and get going...

But I do agree that a slower smoother approach to the use of the clutch gets more results....

And yes they are 195s on 15 inch rims cuz my other wheels don't fit!

Nodge68 · Jan 15, 2014

Zigzagsky said:
Thought the cooler air only was beneficial the petrol cars?

Cooler intake of air is only beneficial to maximum power generation. This is because cold air is dense so more oxygen enters the engine. More oxygen can burn more fuel which makes more power. For maximum economy the intake air needs to be warm so that all the fuel vaporises and burns cleaner. Cleaner burning is complete burning, complete fuel burning aids economy.

SES88 · Jan 15, 2014

ZDomZ said:

Looks rather cool that does

Zigzagsky · Jan 15, 2014

Nodge68 said:
Cooler intake of air is only beneficial to maximum power generation. This is because cold air is dense so more oxygen enters the engine. More oxygen can burn more fuel which makes more power. For maximum economy the intake air needs to be warm so that all the fuel vaporises and burns cleaner. Cleaner burning is complete burning, complete fuel burning aids economy.

So colder air does reduce economy at the expense of better performance.

Nodge68 · Jan 15, 2014

Zigzagsky said:
So colder air does reduce economy at the expense of better performance.

From extensive testing I did in the mid 80's that was the conclusion I came to. This was on old school disy and carb engines. Modern fuel injection engines should be less prone to intake temps but they aren't. Warm intake for economy cold intake for power still applies I think.

ZDomZ · Jan 15, 2014

SES88 said:
Looks rather cool that does

Thanks!

Ian jones · Jan 15, 2014

dave21478 said:
1 - its not lack of use that makes them fail, its poor knowledge about how to maintain the drivetrain, and possibly a limited lifespan of the unit.

2 - An enthusiasts magazine should know better than to advise bodgery rather than proper maintenance.

Keep everything working, and keep the tyres within spec and the VCU will present no problems throughout its normal life.
Even taking the hopelessly pessimistic view and replacing it every 5 years regardless only adds a few quid to the monthly running cost and that is vastly outweighed by the benefits of having the 4x4 system working as it should.

IMO taking the prop off for summer is idiocy.....do muddy fields never occur in summertime? The whole point of owning a 4x4 is its abilities on and off the road. Sure, you may spend the vast majority of your time on the road, but what about that one time you want to go to a picnic area off road somewhere, or you go to a festival or other event where parking is in a grassy field - you are going to look pretty silly with your Landrover stuck alongside Ford Mondeos.
Even just driving on wet tarmac shows the problems of front wheel drive. When my VCU was off while I waited for the exchange unit to be delivered, it would easily spin the front wheels trying to pull onto a roundabout in a hurry.

Keep it working as it should.

Well said

roccotune · Jan 17, 2014

I say do what you want as it's your car but
1) fl don't drive as well in 2wd as it wasn't designed that way

2) mpg hardly change

3) just keep it working, it's not that hard and my VCU is on 160k and still fine. Just get the tyres right and oilskin diff and ird etc

Northern Irelander · Jan 17, 2014

ZDomZ said:
I think the freelander spins easier than the rovers with the same engine due to the way the landy pitches and rolls more than a car and it also has more weight to try and get going...

But I do agree that a slower smoother approach to the use of the clutch gets more results....

And yes they are 195s on 15 inch rims cuz my other wheels don't fit!

hot wheels, those tyres are well phat!............ the FL would probably float on water

Northern Irelander · Jan 17, 2014

Nodge68 said:
Maybe. On day when the auto packs up I'll consider doing a manual conversion.

No point in making work for yourself

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