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Driving to Finland - advice on vehicle prep?
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ad15
 


Member Since: 14 Dec 2008
Location: up that tree
Posts: 4866

United Kingdom 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Manual Tonga GreenDiscovery 3

would you do it on a D4 as well?

was Embarassed as no one else had suggested it..
 one wife.......livid  
Post #71846520th Nov 2010 11:36 am
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bontempi
 


Member Since: 20 Dec 2005
Location: On location :)
Posts: 55

Sweden 2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Auto Bonatti GreyDiscovery 3

ArcFro wrote:

Having had D3 for four winter season by now, driven in all sorts of weather conditions (including -35 deg), I wouldn't worry about it too much.



Good advice from ArcFro. Last winter I did cold starts at -36 degrees without problems, although an electric heater is really useful.

A reasonable kitted car with:
- good winter tyres
- washer fluid and coolant mixed for cold temperatures
- battery in good condition
- warm clothing and a flashlight
- tow strap and jump start cables (for assisting non LR drivers) Razz
should be all you need.

WRT driving lights, they are not necessary in snowy conditions, because the snow reflects the light. A Disco has the extra advantage of the lights being mounted higher than normal cars.

/Henrik
 Disco 3 TDV6 HSE "Ark Royal"
Mini Cooper D 
 
Post #71880121st Nov 2010 2:08 pm
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grzesiul
 


Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6404

Poland 2016 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 SE Auto Loire BlueDiscovery 4

love that picture:
  
Post #71880221st Nov 2010 2:15 pm
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bontempi
 


Member Since: 20 Dec 2005
Location: On location :)
Posts: 55

Sweden 2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Auto Bonatti GreyDiscovery 3

Ent wrote:

BTW have you got a Jetboil PCS? Really handy bit of kit for making a hot drink or warming a ready meal up with.


Good luck using a Jetboil in arctic winter conditions. The gas mix of 20% propane and 80% isobutane will not work below -5 degrees due to vapor pressure being to low. Below 0 degrees, output will be very low.

For cold weather I would recommend a kerosene or gasoline stove like the Optimus Nova or Primus Multi Fuel.

/Henrik
 Disco 3 TDV6 HSE "Ark Royal"
Mini Cooper D 
 
Post #71880321st Nov 2010 2:17 pm
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bontempi
 


Member Since: 20 Dec 2005
Location: On location :)
Posts: 55

Sweden 2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Auto Bonatti GreyDiscovery 3

grzesiul wrote:
love that picture:


Thank you grzesiul! A mild -15 degrees on that day. Smile



/Henrik
 Disco 3 TDV6 HSE "Ark Royal"
Mini Cooper D 
 
Post #71880521st Nov 2010 2:20 pm
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grzesiul
 


Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6404

Poland 2016 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 SE Auto Loire BlueDiscovery 4

I kind of miss that type of winter not really occurring in UK.... we will see what this year brings snow wise back home as go a few nice locations to drive the disco to to check it out on proper deep snow
  
Post #71880621st Nov 2010 2:24 pm
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bensaunders
 


Member Since: 16 Nov 2010
Location: London, UK
Posts: 10

United Kingdom 2010 Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 HSE Auto Alaska WhiteDiscovery 4

bontempi wrote:
Ent wrote:

BTW have you got a Jetboil PCS? Really handy bit of kit for making a hot drink or warming a ready meal up with.


Good luck using a Jetboil in arctic winter conditions. The gas mix of 20% propane and 80% isobutane will not work below -5 degrees due to vapor pressure being to low. Below 0 degrees, output will be very low.

For cold weather I would recommend a kerosene or gasoline stove like the Optimus Nova or Primus Multi Fuel.


I use a Jetboil in the UK but Henrik's right - they're not good when it's properly cold. I've used my MSR XGK down to -48 Very Happy
  
Post #71947122nd Nov 2010 5:10 pm
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bensaunders
 


Member Since: 16 Nov 2010
Location: London, UK
Posts: 10

United Kingdom 2010 Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 HSE Auto Alaska WhiteDiscovery 4

ArcFro wrote:
Welcome to Finland Ben! Very Happy

Having had D3 for four winter season by now, driven in all sorts of weather conditions (including -35 deg), I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Diesel is in northern part of Sweden and Finland by default is arctic grade (label to be found in pump) and will cope with local climate. Before first refuel of arctic grade you should have quite empty tank since already less than 5% of "summer quality" decreases significantly viscosity of diesel.

A and B roads are kept in good driving condition, you need chains only if you want to access unrated "forest roads".

Locals tend to have studded tyres on Discos but I'd be comcortable with any big manufacturers (Conti, GY, Michelin, Nokian) wintertyres. From personal experience I recommend to avoid all season tyres, you can survive with these but they require deep understanding of traction level / weight of vehicle.

Hope this helps in your preparations Ben. Hope you enjoy your stay in Finland!
Brilliant - thanks! Thumbs Up  
Post #71947222nd Nov 2010 5:11 pm
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bensaunders
 


Member Since: 16 Nov 2010
Location: London, UK
Posts: 10

United Kingdom 2010 Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 HSE Auto Alaska WhiteDiscovery 4

ad15 wrote:
ben,, is your D4 white? parked in the multi story at the ski show?

looked very 8)

It is indeed! I managed to drive right into the building the first day as they assumed I was part of the LR Experience team Mr. Green
  
Post #71947422nd Nov 2010 5:13 pm
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ArcFro
 


Member Since: 30 Dec 2005
Location: Helsinki area
Posts: 74

Finland 

Oh, now I realized that you have new 3litre engine, I do not know if it as robust in low temperatures. Why shouldn't it be?

If you have preheating option ticked, use that feature to ease cold start. In cold climate it is good to limit preheating into ½ hour, otherwise you might drain the battery. You should drive the car minimum of 30min to recharge, running engine idle is not doing the job for you. At least so LR tech told me to do...
  
Post #71959622nd Nov 2010 7:50 pm
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MWN
 


Member Since: 02 Aug 2007
Location: Stockholm
Posts: 5

Sweden 2010 LR4 3.0 TDV6 HSE Auto Zambezi SilverLR4

How come pre-heating drains the battery? As winter (and i mean proper winter) has arrived early this year I want my car to be nice & warm but I've noticed that my battery is low.
  
Post #72165126th Nov 2010 8:36 pm
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DSL
Keeper of the wheelie bin 


Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73086

Ukraine 

grzesiul wrote:
I kind of miss that type of winter not really occurring in UK....


Speak for yourself, had enough of it last year! Big Cry Big Cry Big Cry Wink
   
Post #72165726th Nov 2010 8:40 pm
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Ronnberg
 


Member Since: 01 Oct 2010
Location: Finland
Posts: 7


The Disco is actually a very good car in snow - have studded tyres on mine and have yet to find a place to get stuck. You don't really need anything special - the lights are good as with all the snow it is actually very bright. The only thing I have had problems with is the Auxiliary Heater (Webasto) which packs in now and then - if this does not work your engine will run very cold. Last winter was quite cold and on two occasions I had electronic meltdowns while driving on the motorway in -25. Car electronics just die out and engine turns off - you basically just glide to the side of the road. But on both occasions the car started again and I could get home. I have started the car without the Auxiliary heater in -30 after the car has stood all night and it has always started... The local dealer said one should not run the tank down emptier than 1/4 in the winter -as the fuel intake from the tank is mounted too high so it sucks air and then you have to take the car to the dealer to make it work again. Also - you cannot quickstart the Webasto while car is running - it blocks itself and then again you need to see the dealer. Not sure if all this is true or I just have a dealer who likes to see me a lot. If I had to go up far north in the winter I would probably take a Landcruiser.... That said - I just cant stop loving my Disco - I use it for forest work in the winter and it pulls huge logs out of the forest even in half a meter of snow. On two occasions I have actually pulled my tractor out of the field with it. But - unfortunately it is a very "civilized" car that needs to be not too far away from a dealer/garage.
  
Post #72169526th Nov 2010 10:17 pm
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dick dastardly
 


Member Since: 29 May 2007
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Posts: 1112

Switzerland 2008 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto Stornoway GreyDiscovery 3

Portable hot woman to explore Shocked
 There's one wheel on my wagon, but i'm still rollin' along, it's the cherokee, they're after me, but I'm singing a happy song  
Post #72170826th Nov 2010 10:59 pm
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bontempi
 


Member Since: 20 Dec 2005
Location: On location :)
Posts: 55

Sweden 2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Auto Bonatti GreyDiscovery 3

MWN wrote:
How come pre-heating drains the battery? As winter (and i mean proper winter) has arrived early this year I want my car to be nice & warm but I've noticed that my battery is low.


The pre heater uses an electric glow plug to ignite, a small electric pump to circulate the coolant and runs the fan to heat the passenger compartment. Webasto heaters are designed to run for approx 20 minutes to pre-heat. You need to run the engine for at least the same amount of time in order not to drain the battery.



/Henrik
 Disco 3 TDV6 HSE "Ark Royal"
Mini Cooper D 
 
Post #72184627th Nov 2010 2:10 pm
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