New NAV, new software, balanced tires... Muchas Betteras!

[backpain]

Took my SE in to my car audio guy who made some changes and then sent the truck across the street to the dealer (Rosenthal) with a list of minor annoyances.

First, for those of us with the SE without factory NAV I would highly recommend the Pioneer NAV-SYS620T. (http://www.pioneerusa.com/pna/product/detail/0,,2076_3151_117424985,00.html)
It's not their latest AVIC system (which wouldn't work in the LR3 well anyhow) but provides a near stock NAV system look and feel. The 16x9 antiglare screen is awesome and the remote that attaches to the steering wheel is very handy. Voice command, 12M POI, very configurable and tons of options. I'm very happy with it. Night and day difference from the AngelTrax system he originally installed. About $1500 installed. (and I can watch movies up front as well as use the NAV while driving).

I was having a lot of shimmy between 25-50mph creating annoying rattling noises. The dealer found that the tires had never been balanced. No shimmy now, very smooth and QUIET ride. Unbalanced tires on a new 50k vehicle?

They applied the latest engine mgmt software as well and I notice several improvements:

Mileage - I had never seen my average, even on open highway after resetting the computer, go above 17.1 but driving home on a congested but moving Dulles Toll Road I was seeing 18.9mpg.

Performance - Maybe this is somatic but the engine function is more smooth, responds more confidently and the truck feels much more alive. I'm not revving out anymore accelerating, and throttle response is a lot more gutsy. Generally more responsive.

It feels much more Audi and a lot less Lexus meets Colt Vista, if that makes any sense.

 

[madtownrover]

They applied the latest engine mgmt software as well and I notice several improvements:

Mileage - I had never seen my average, even on open highway after resetting the computer, go above 17.1 but driving home on a congested but moving Dulles Toll Road I was seeing 18.9mpg.

Performance - Maybe this is somatic but the engine function is more smooth, responds more confidently and the truck feels much more alive. I'm not revving out anymore accelerating, and throttle response is a lot more gutsy. Generally more responsive.

It feels much more Audi and a lot less Lexus meets Colt Vista, if that makes any sense.

Makes sense too me. Any code or description available for the ECU upgrade? My dealer claimed there was a software fix for some cold weather issues coming soon, but he did not yet have the software.

 

[askewed]

Do you post this to mock me?

I got that software patch and two new fuel sender and still get a 12mpg average on EVERY tank. In town or highway it matters not. You know what that's a lie. I drove one tank a week ago ALL highway and averaged 12.48mpg for that tank. So that's almost a half a mpg better!!!! YEA!!!!

I NEED HELP!

The dealer says "I'll ask the engineers but your truck has no faults and all the newest software so there may be nothing I can do". Gee thanks...

Land Rover Customer Service is "looking into" how to help me but they don't, you know, call me ever...

Thoughts?

On a side. For the last few days the truck is lunging when it leaves a stop. Sorta like the u-joints are going on a 73 Chevy I had as a kid...

 

[texas911]

Mine has a shimy too, but at higher speeds. Also pulls to the right. Will have the dealer check. Mine was an 02/05 build, what was yours? I wonder in mine came with the latest software from the factory.

 

[backpain]

I wouldn't mock you brother. I feel your pain though. What color is your LR3? I know that some colors are faster than others, maybe you just have a bad color... I'd bet that nasty gold color has a lot of problems

I think that the lunge is just heft - it's a heavy vehicle with some nice juicy torque which adds up to a veritable "Hi ** Silver and Away!" hind legged launch (of course, with Zambezi siliver it makes more sense) from a stop. I was almost the caboose on a four car chain reaction rear ending and I thought the LR3 was going for an endo when I slammed on the brakes. My opinion of the brakes changed after that but heavy is as heavy does.

September 2004 build date.

The service invoice just says "Download updated software to engine management system".

 

[tzucc]

Askewed, bear with me, but are you measureing this 12.something mpg via the trip computer, or have you done it by full tank fill up and looking at the odometer since last tank fill up?

I say this because it seems impossible that I get 16-20mpg and you get 12mpg... unless you're driving at 90-100mph and wind drag is killing your mpg. If you really are getting 12mpg at 65-75, then you must be leaking gas somewhere... where else can it be going???

 

[askewed]

Both - I calculate the mileage myself and what I come up with is always right on with what the trip computer says.

Fill up on 3/31 - 216 miles on 18 gallons of fuel. 216/18 = 12 TC said 12.6

Fill up on 3/27 - 266 Miles on 20 gallons of fuel. 266/20 = 13.3 (This was ALL highway)

Fill up on 3/23 - 250 miles on 20 gallons of fuel. 250/20 = 12.5.

And I swear I'm driving like an old lady on Sunday.

Oh and Tonga Green. I don't see or smell gas anywhere...

 

[tzucc]

Askewed, I share your frustration. It just doesn't make any sense at all. I think your dealer owes you an answer... the car is significantly malfunctioning if it's gas mileage is 33% less than all the others on the road. Plain and simple... it ain't fixed unless the mileage is normal, that's what I would insist.

 

[texas911]

Yea, I'd take it in. That's way to low. Could be anything.

 

[racingdc9]

Yeah, we average about 14-14.5 in city driving.


Texas911: what do you average, since you're in Houston, like I am.