Overview/Resources for Offroad Features (i.e. when do I lock the diff?)

[jrmiv]

Hi all,

I have a 2016 LC that I've been wearing out hard over the past few years. I do the majority of offroading on hunting camp/farm roads in AL, GA where often the challenges I'm faced with are thick muddy ruts and swampy roads instead of rock crawling or sand. While I have a basic understanding of the many features (and boundless buttons) in my LC, I haven't yet seen a guide for "what buttons should I push when I get stuck". Usually, the few times I've managed to get the LC stuck, I select 4-lo, lock the center diff, and see what I can make happen. ARB Tredz have saved me on plenty of occasions. I haven't ever been successful using the crawl mode to get out of a mud pit. I'm not sure though when/if to use ECT, ECT 2nd, or any of the other features.

Has anyone seen, created a basic offroading guide that explains the LC features, and when to use them?

 

[TheComedian]

Hi all,

I have a 2016 LC that I've been wearing out hard over the past few years. I do the majority of offroading on hunting camp/farm roads in AL, GA where often the challenges I'm faced with are thick muddy ruts and swampy roads instead of rock crawling or sand. While I have a basic understanding of the many features (and boundless buttons) in my LC, I haven't yet seen a guide for "what buttons should I push when I get stuck". Usually, the few times I've managed to get the LC stuck, I select 4-lo, lock the center diff, and see what I can make happen. ARB Tredz have saved me on plenty of occasions. I haven't ever been successful using the crawl mode to get out of a mud pit. I'm not sure though when/if to use ECT, ECT 2nd, or any of the other features.

Has anyone seen, created a basic offroading guide that explains the LC features, and when to use them?

The point starts already before you got stuck. If it is obvious you could stuck you can choose right before what you want to do.
-> 4high and sanding thru on higher speed
-> 4low, shifting in 3th gear, playing with the clutch and also drive with a higher speed
-> 4low and slowly crawling thru the mud
-> combinate these three in case with your difflock

For newer tech I cant tell you since my 200 only has a 4high/4low knob and the button for the factory rear difflock

/edit i forgott the button for the center diff but it automatically switches witch 4low

 

[bloc]

Others with more experience will probably have plenty to say but I wanted to add these few things


RSCA disable button: to prevent accidental deployment. I use this any time I'm off-road and not at risk of falling off a mountain.

Center diff lock: only use when I'm already, or soon at high risk of, losing traction. I generally keep this off for better turning radius and less drivetrain bind.

Use 4-low as long as you can comfortably travel the speeds you need. Using 4-hi in soft conditions like sand can heat up the ATF quickly through torque converter slip.