Member Since: 18 Jul 2008
Location: Rugby
Posts: 473
Suspension Extended Mode
So, I've managed to get the extended mode activated several times by accident, like when I jack the car up for example, and occasionally when driving, like in big snow for example, but yesterday when I was axle deep in a peat bog on my farm, the extended mode was nowhere to be seen.
I towed it out fairly easily using 2 ATV's would you believe! But nevertheless I am certain that if the extended mode had engaged as I have seen it do before, it would have lifted itself out no problems. Why does it come on when I didn't need it, but the first time I actually DO need it, it didn't engage?
The only thing I can imagine is that because all 4 wheels were spinning, maybe it simply thought it was travelling along normally? Does anyone know the exact requirements for extended mode to engage?D3 TDV6 HSE 2008 Buckingham Blue (current)
D3 TDV6 HSE 2009 Zermatt Silver (previous)
D3 TDV6 HSE 2005 Maya Gold (previous)
D2 TD5 ES 1999 (previous)
Defender TD5 swb hard top 2005 (previous)
Defender 300tdi swb hard top 1994 (previous)
14th Mar 2010 2:11 am
Adigorn
Member Since: 14 Mar 2010
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 546
Additional Lift in Extended Mode
In later software a feature is available to provide additional body clearance when in extended mode. When extended mode has been invoked and the automatic lifting of the vehicle is complete, the driver can request an additional lift of the vehicle. This can be particularly useful when extended mode has to be activated on soft surfaces.
The additional lift can be requested once the raising lamp has extinguished. Press and hold the switch in the up direction for 3 seconds whilst simultaneously depressing the brake pedal. A chime from the instrument cluster will sound to confirm that the request has been accepted. The raising symbol will be illuminated while the vehicle is being lifted.
stright from the bible
17th Mar 2010 9:31 am
mos
Member Since: 14 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 24
I've just been out to the carpark and tried that in my 57 HSE, and it don't work.
17th Mar 2010 10:28 am
redjelly5000
Member Since: 18 Jul 2008
Location: Rugby
Posts: 473
So doubtless my 54 plate doesn't have this "later" software. The thing is, I have seen my car in extended mode so many times in the past. I even took photos of it 'cos it looked like a monster truck and I needed a ladder to disembark! I get a message on the LCD display to warn that the suspension is in extended mode, and as far as I was aware, and from reading the handbook, there isn't a way of manually engaging this mode.
Previously I have engaged it accidentally by jacking the vehicle, and once when in the snow in January, when the car wouldn't move forward any further, it engaged the extended mode automatically. As it happened in that case, I was going up a hil, and I simply backed down it again, the extended mode didn't actually help in that case. This time though, it just didn't engage, and Sadly I think this time it could have made all the difference!D3 TDV6 HSE 2008 Buckingham Blue (current)
D3 TDV6 HSE 2009 Zermatt Silver (previous)
D3 TDV6 HSE 2005 Maya Gold (previous)
D2 TD5 ES 1999 (previous)
Defender TD5 swb hard top 2005 (previous)
Defender 300tdi swb hard top 1994 (previous)
Last edited by redjelly5000 on 17th Mar 2010 10:33 am. Edited 1 time in total
17th Mar 2010 10:30 am
Bodsy Site Sponsor
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The above will only work if the car has alreayd put itself into extended mode. Extended mode will only take place if at least one of the wheels does not touch the floor (i.e. it's on it's belly) as the suspension tries to find the ground by extending the suspension.
You can easily do this by using a peice of wood under the chassis and telling it to go into normal mode (from off road height) Bodsys Brake Bible
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17th Mar 2010 10:33 am
redjelly5000
Member Since: 18 Jul 2008
Location: Rugby
Posts: 473
I guess that's why mine has gone into ext mode when I have jacked up one corner. Trouble is when I was stuck, the body was beached, and the wheels were bogged down, but none were off the ground technically, but all were spinning. They were all touching the ground, albeit stodgy peat bog mud.
I was just really disappointde that the mode didn't engage the one time I needed it!D3 TDV6 HSE 2008 Buckingham Blue (current)
D3 TDV6 HSE 2009 Zermatt Silver (previous)
D3 TDV6 HSE 2005 Maya Gold (previous)
D2 TD5 ES 1999 (previous)
Defender TD5 swb hard top 2005 (previous)
Defender 300tdi swb hard top 1994 (previous)
Member Since: 18 Jul 2008
Location: Rugby
Posts: 473
I didn't try that Andy. I did lower it to normal mode, (lower it? It was beached, it never moved a millimeter! But you know what I mean!) and then back up to off road height, but it never helped. I'll try that next time.... Although that was the first time in nearly 2 years of ownership that I have ever had to pull it out from being completely stuck. Proud of my ATV's though for having the guts to move such a big beastie!D3 TDV6 HSE 2008 Buckingham Blue (current)
D3 TDV6 HSE 2009 Zermatt Silver (previous)
D3 TDV6 HSE 2005 Maya Gold (previous)
D2 TD5 ES 1999 (previous)
Defender TD5 swb hard top 2005 (previous)
Defender 300tdi swb hard top 1994 (previous)
17th Mar 2010 11:56 am
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
Member Since: 08 Feb 2009
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 2423
I've used the lowering to access mode trick to get the car into extended mode and it worked well. I also saw the manual request for "super extended" mode used at Bala and again that gave just enough clearance to back out of a situation.D3 HSE MY05 Auto
Expo Rack, Club MTR, LR Spots, A Bar, Light Guards, GNVP Sump Guard, GNVP Ladder, Cup Holders, RLD A Bar brackets. Disco3Club stickers, Aux power on Mod
17th Mar 2010 12:08 pm
Stu
Member Since: 08 Feb 2009
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 2423
Extended mode - Not "Super Extended"
D3 HSE MY05 Auto
Expo Rack, Club MTR, LR Spots, A Bar, Light Guards, GNVP Sump Guard, GNVP Ladder, Cup Holders, RLD A Bar brackets. Disco3Club stickers, Aux power on Mod
17th Mar 2010 12:11 pm
redjelly5000
Member Since: 18 Jul 2008
Location: Rugby
Posts: 473
I have a picture of mine looking just like that! I just wish I tried the access mode trick. Maybe, just maybe it would have gotten me out of a mess!D3 TDV6 HSE 2008 Buckingham Blue (current)
D3 TDV6 HSE 2009 Zermatt Silver (previous)
D3 TDV6 HSE 2005 Maya Gold (previous)
D2 TD5 ES 1999 (previous)
Defender TD5 swb hard top 2005 (previous)
Defender 300tdi swb hard top 1994 (previous)
17th Mar 2010 12:14 pm
redjelly5000
Member Since: 18 Jul 2008
Location: Rugby
Posts: 473
And Stu, how come your car is so dirty, but your alloys are spotless?!!D3 TDV6 HSE 2008 Buckingham Blue (current)
D3 TDV6 HSE 2009 Zermatt Silver (previous)
D3 TDV6 HSE 2005 Maya Gold (previous)
D2 TD5 ES 1999 (previous)
Defender TD5 swb hard top 2005 (previous)
Defender 300tdi swb hard top 1994 (previous)
17th Mar 2010 12:17 pm
simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
'Super' Extended Mode has been available since the very 1st MY05 D3's
Not sure what the reference to later software ???
17th Mar 2010 12:19 pm
Stu
Member Since: 08 Feb 2009
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 2423
My alloys are so clean, because before going off road that day my car was very clean. I got into extended mode by going through some water (too quickly if I'm honesy ) so the car lifted, went into extended mode, and the water washed off the worst of the mud from the wheels.
Although having just looked at the photo again, it does look like I've gone round cleaning them with a toothbrush! D3 HSE MY05 Auto
Expo Rack, Club MTR, LR Spots, A Bar, Light Guards, GNVP Sump Guard, GNVP Ladder, Cup Holders, RLD A Bar brackets. Disco3Club stickers, Aux power on Mod
Last edited by Stu on 17th Mar 2010 12:39 pm. Edited 1 time in total
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) so the car lifted, went into extended mode, and the water washed off the worst of the mud from the wheels.
