Member Since: 18 Mar 2005
Location: Here
Posts: 6463
Driving Techniques
I have been asked to clarify the techniques for driving the D3. Somewhere on site I have done this, but I will explain to new owners and drivers.
TDV6 Diesel
The D3 is a 'torque' machine with its main power at 1900rpm
It is a pointless excercise to race the engine over 2500rpm it is a total waste of fuel and effort.
When driving a vehicle that is dual purpose the designers have to account for both on road and off road facilities and either can be done at the flick of a switch. The problem is the power unit is as is.
To obtain the most efficient fuel economy and performance for power drive the vehicle as follows:
Pull away in first and change gear after counting 123. That will take you to a power gear and when the rev counter reaches around 2500rpm change to 3rd etc.
When in town, say 30 mph, it is better to often stay in 3rd gear and you will find the revs are at 1900 - 2000, that is perfect for power and economy. You could drive like that for ages and the fuel consumption will get better as you drive. However, floor the gas and go over 2500rpm and fuel economy goes out of the window with power.
The D3 is not a 12000+rpm racing car.
General driving, keep the revs to 1900 - 2000 and you will get at least 30 mpg.
When pulling away or accelerating, go from 1500rpm to 2500rpm and change up or down as per your needs. This will keep power and economy at a premium. We are not talking speed here, that does not come into my vocabulary.
Each gear change makes about 500 rpm difference.
If you cruise, keep the revs to the magic 1900 - 2000 rpm and you may find that 5th gear on some country roads is the top gear for power and economy.
There is so much more, but give it a try.
Finally to try the torque of the car, place it into low range and 1st gear. Tuck your right foot away from the gas and do not use it at all. Let the clutch out and the car will move off. Once fully moving, put your foot on the brake and gently press, you will hear the car try to alter the gas and keep pulling. It is difficult to stop it in fact.
For auto's you may need to give a boost of gas to move away, then forget the gas and try the same procedure.
Hope it helps and it should save a drop of fuel.
24th Oct 2005 3:20 pm
PJ
Member Since: 19 Oct 2005
Location: East Sussex
Posts: 52
I find it is easy with the auto box, just lifting off the gas at around 2000rpm or being gentle on the way up it soon changes & being it's an adaptive box it soons gets to know your style of driving. Does go well when you hustle it though.TDV6 2004 Auto Zambezi Silver Badged SE not quite an S with Nav & Rear DVD
25th Oct 2005 7:40 pm
BN
Member Since: 18 Mar 2005
Location: Here
Posts: 6463
How about also putting the auto into "N" when stopped at lights?
This is what the manual also states to help improve economy.
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14th Dec 2005 11:26 am
Penguin
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: A fun place
Posts: 485
Sorry, but I must disagree on the rpm's.
I drive the manual, and was thinking also logical that shifting gears just above 1900rpm would be the ideal moment.
It is, when you drive "relaxed" or on a flat road, but when you want fast acceleration, then first switch of the DSC (with this on, it wil control your throtle) change gears at 3000rpm's to keep the acceleration.
If you shift gears at 2500 or lower, the car will "stall" the accelerationIn a time of chimpanzees, I was a penguin. www.m-release.com
It does take getting used to the technique of not automatically going into 4th around town, but gearing to keep the magic 1900Discovery 3 tdv6 7 seat Buckingham Blue
Had it since new - sold Jun 17 after 12 years and 214,000 miles
14th Dec 2005 2:23 pm
simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
Penguin wrote:
Sorry, but I must disagree on the rpm's.
I drive the manual, and was thinking also logical that shifting gears just above 1900rpm would be the ideal moment.
It is, when you drive "relaxed" or on a flat road, but when you want fast acceleration, then first switch of the DSC (with this on, it wil control your throtle) change gears at 3000rpm's to keep the acceleration.
If you shift gears at 2500 or lower, the car will "stall" the acceleration
DSC should not intervene unless the sensors sense loss of traction or you have a special program selected that holds back throttle response - Grass / Gravel / Snow for example.
Be surprised if turning it off makes a difference - could be wrong though Never had an issue with acceleration as long as your in the right gear and the turbo is spinning. There is a lag a low revs and remember this is not a sports car.
2500 is a good number to change at... 3000 is too high.
14th Dec 2005 3:42 pm
Penguin
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: A fun place
Posts: 485
I just did the test again on the way home:
Yo have a fast fluid acceleration:
DSC off, shift gear around 3000rpm
I feel the turbo working at 2500rpm, shifting than would be too soon.
I want to see you accelerate fast at ~1900 rpm when already driving ~100kph
Always in for a live comparision, shame it's so far
DSC does more than just traction control, it does control the throttle response (less than on the special programs)In a time of chimpanzees, I was a penguin. www.m-release.com
14th Dec 2005 4:19 pm
BN
Member Since: 18 Mar 2005
Location: Here
Posts: 6463
Penguin wrote:
I just did the test again on the way home:
Yo have a fast fluid acceleration:
DSC off, shift gear around 3000rpm
I feel the turbo working at 2500rpm, shifting than would be too soon.
I want to see you accelerate fast at ~1900 rpm when already driving ~100kph
Always in for a live comparision, shame it's so far
DSC does more than just traction control, it does control the throttle response (less than on the special programs)
With a 0-60mph in 11.5 seconds in high range the car is a utility vehicle, not a race car. A race car cannot tow 3.5 tonnes, then go off road and then go to the office or home one after the other all in complete comfort, the D3 can, but not fast.
14th Dec 2005 4:59 pm
Penguin
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: A fun place
Posts: 485
oooh but it sure can In a time of chimpanzees, I was a penguin. www.m-release.com
14th Dec 2005 5:13 pm
CFB
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
Posts: 6100
Only got my D3 on Saturday but I too agree with BN, the car is just so composed if you change between 2500-3000 rpm. I was following the mfrs advice regarding running in the engine by not exceeding 3000rpm and I had a good 500 mile trip to Kent and back this week during which I averaged 29.8mpg which really impressed me considering that the car has only 600 miles on the clock now.2020 BMW X1 18d XDrive X-Line Auto
14th Dec 2005 5:49 pm
BN
Member Since: 18 Mar 2005
Location: Here
Posts: 6463
Penguin wrote:
oooh but it sure can
changing the subject, why is www.disco3.co.uk not linked to your amusing web site
14th Dec 2005 5:51 pm
Penguin
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: A fun place
Posts: 485
will put a link on
Back on-topic:
Don't complain after a while you got a slow lumpy tank, and for that reason you consider chipping it
What BN writes down, is correct, if you drive a ease. If for some reason you need to accelerate, you'll never make it on those rpms.
And if you continious drive a car at ease, don't ever expect to be able to accelerate fast, when you need/want to. (and then you want a tuned one )In a time of chimpanzees, I was a penguin. www.m-release.com
14th Dec 2005 6:41 pm
Pelyma
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Patching, Sussex
Posts: 15496
I think you will find BN is aiming to get maximum economy as that is what he does for a living. If you want a fast car buy a RRS supercharged.DS3 TDV6 HSE - Silver with Alpaca (old one) Gone
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14th Dec 2005 7:07 pm
BN
Member Since: 18 Mar 2005
Location: Here
Posts: 6463
Penguin wrote:
will put a link on
Back on-topic:
Don't complain after a while you got a slow lumpy tank, and for that reason you consider chipping it
What BN writes down, is correct, if you drive a ease. If for some reason you need to accelerate, you'll never make it on those rpms.
And if you continious drive a car at ease, don't ever expect to be able to accelerate fast, when you need/want to. (and then you want a tuned one )
Oh penquin, lets add to that. By over revving you achieve little other than fuel thrown away. If I use my torque as Pelyma can tell you, it will leave you against over revs. I drove a chipped car with Pelyma following and I did not use more than 2500 revs with my foot no where near the floor. The chipping did little the way I drove, but the torque did. Just to qualify that, a 1980's 110 was in front of us using all of his torque and skill (he was also an instructor) and I could hardly catch him. Torque everytime for me.
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Never had an issue with acceleration as long as your in the right gear and the turbo is spinning. There is a lag a low revs and remember this is not a sports car.
changing the subject, why is 
will put a link on 
