Description And Operation: Overview: Notes
The Terrain Response™ system allows the driver to select a program which aims to provide the optimum settings for traction and performance for the prevailing terrain conditions. The system cannot be switched off. 'Special Programs off' is the default program and covers all general driving conditions. Three specific terrain programs are selectable to cover all terrain surfaces.
The system is controlled by a rotary control located on the center console, forward of the transmission selector lever. The rotary control allows the selection of one of the following 4 programs:
- Special programs off
- Grass/Gravel/Snow
- Mud/Ruts
- Sand.
The rotary control can be rotated through 360 degrees or more in either direction and selects each program in turn. When Terrain Response is fitted to a vehicle, a hi-line instrument cluster will also be fitted which will display the selected program in the message center.
The Terrain Response system uses a combination of a number of vehicle sub-systems to achieve the required vehicle characteristics for the terrain selected. The following sub-systems are used in the Terrain Response system:
- Engine management system
- Automatic transmission (if fitted)
- Active on-demand coupling
- Brake system (ABS/DSC/ETC/HDC functions).
The rotary control switch pack also contains the Terrain Response control module. The control module detects the selection made on the rotary control and transmits a signal on the high speed Controller Area Network (CAN) bus which is received by each of the sub-system control modules. Each of the affected control modules contain software which applies the correct operating parameters to their controlled system for the Terrain Response program selection made. They also provide feedback for the selected program so that the Terrain Response control module can check that all systems have changed to the correct operating parameters.
Information is displayed in the instrument cluster message center which informs the driver of improvements which can be made to the vehicle operating parameters to optimize the vehicle for the prevailing conditions.
Inexperienced off-road drivers may benefit from the automatic assistance of the Terrain Response system and the driver information. Experienced off-road drivers can select the specific programs for extreme conditions to access control over the vehicle systems (for example; accelerator pedal maps, transmission shift maps, traction settings) which are not accessible on vehicles without Terrain Response.