What does "Off Road" switch actually do?

[Starpacer]

Watched tons of videos that claim to discuss the Off Road switch, but none of them actually explain what happens in Off Road mode (usually explain how to turn it on, clearly not understanding what it does)... I understand that features like parking assist, etc are turned off, but I get the feeling that there is some level of traction control when not in Off Road mode that is turned off when switched to Off Road. So the expectation is that you will be using the lockers to "do your own traction control" in Off Road mode... Is there any documentation that describes exactly what the Grenadier is doing when not in Off Road mode. Some are saying that the Electronic Stability Control functions similarly to traction control (via braking the spinning wheel). Seems to be a lot of confusion on this, so hoping someone can provide some insight.

 

[mcdoogs]

I do know it (especially in conjunction with being in 4L) turns off the on-road ESC, which you'd definitely not want on in any sort of low traction conditions like sand or mud, etc. The weird part is there is very little clarity about what, if anything, the Grenadier has when it comes to offroad brake traction control. Agile off road did a couple of videos trying to test this:

It looks like there is a very rudimentary brake traction control with open diffs in high range in offroad mode. This looks like it's also disabled in low range when diffs are locked. Anyways, interesting test videos.

 

[Tinerfeño]

It also disables parking aid and seat belt warning sound (only light on dash).

 

[TheDocAUS]

Download the Rok Dr Guide which has a Table complied by @Michael H.

 

[landmannnn]

The owners manual just says for off road mode that the ESC is changed. You might assume changed to less sensitive to steering angle/wheel slip etc.

 

[ECrider]

also deactivates the physical drivers door safety element. Ie you can open it while in D or R and it won't go straight to P.

Note I have only opened the drivers door while stationary and then driven off with door open. Not opened it at 20mph etc

 

[ECrider]

I think thats right from memory

 

[Trialmaster]

Right not very popular to say this, but why don't people read the manual or visit the Grenadier site and view the Videos? I wrote my own cheat sheet from the info....

Useful Videos from Ineos: https://ineosgrenadier.com/en/gb/grenadier-pro

 

[DaveB]

I do know it (especially in conjunction with being in 4L) turns off the on-road ESC, which you'd definitely not want on in any sort of low traction conditions like sand or mud, etc. The weird part is there is very little clarity about what, if anything, the Grenadier has when it comes to offroad brake traction control. Agile off road did a couple of videos trying to test this:

It looks like there is a very rudimentary brake traction control with open diffs in high range in offroad mode. This looks like it's totally disabled in low range. Anyways, interesting test videos.

I understand why many 4wds have really focussed on brake traction control rather than diff locks etc.
Robert Pepper did a review recently of a Ford (I think) that had a rear diff locker but he said that the Brake Traction Control in Auto was so good that you wouldn't need the diff locker.
I see countless reviews and videos where they "try" without diff locks first with no luck and then go back and engage them and make the hill easily.
To me if you have diff locks engage them early and disengage them when no longer needed, particularly the front.
I seem to recall in one of @Michael H. videos he engages lockers and easily cruises up a track after others had struggled or gone at it hard and fast.
I recall another video a couple of years ago on I think a new defender when a failed ABS sensor stopped brake traction control from working at all.

 

[mcdoogs]

I understand why many 4wds have really focussed on brake traction control rather than diff locks etc.
Robert Pepper did a review recently of a Ford (I think) that had a rear diff locker but he said that the Brake Traction Control in Auto was so good that you wouldn't need the diff locker.
I see countless reviews and videos where they "try" without diff locks first with no luck and then go back and engage them and make the hill easily.
To me if you have diff locks engage them early and disengage them when no longer needed, particularly the front.
I seem to recall in one of @Michael H. videos he engages lockers and easily cruises up a track after others had struggled or gone at it hard and fast.
I recall another video a couple of years ago on I think a new defender when a failed ABS sensor stopped brake traction control from working at all.

My experience with my ‘22 Defender with center and rear lockers (and 33” mud terrain tires), when offroading in drier places like moab/az/etc was that if the approach angle worked to get rubber on the obstacle, I could crawl up it. The best TC systems (ie LR and Toyota’s) are pretty good when coupled with center and rear lockers, without the steering drawbacks of front lockers.

I was a little less impressed with Ford’s in my 21 Bronco (also with rear lockers). It wasnt nearly as smart and responsive as the LR system.

I’d say for most people, most of the time LR/toyota TC + center and rear locking diffs are gonna be more than enough. Certainly going to be more capable than the vast majority of drivers. They might even tend to outperform triple locked ‘analog’ platforms like the grenadier in situations without a lot of articulation.

 

[Eric]

Right not very popular to say this, but why don't people read the manual or visit the Grenadier site and view the Videos? I wrote my own cheat sheet from the info....

Useful Videos from Ineos: https://ineosgrenadier.com/en/gb/grenadier-pro

Hence the acronym RTFM

 

[landmannnn]

Hence the acronym RTFM

Apologies for being pedantic, but an acronym is initial letters that make a new word. Like NASA or RADAR.

Anything else is just an abbreviation.

Sorry, but yes you are correct!

 

[Starpacer]

Hence the acronym RTFM

Unfortunately the Owner's Manual simply says "Changed: Electronic Stability Control" - which provides no actual information or insight into what's going on before or after you flip the switch - hence the question...

 

[Starpacer]

I do know it (especially in conjunction with being in 4L) turns off the on-road ESC, which you'd definitely not want on in any sort of low traction conditions like sand or mud, etc. The weird part is there is very little clarity about what, if anything, the Grenadier has when it comes to offroad brake traction control. Agile off road did a couple of videos trying to test this:

It looks like there is a very rudimentary brake traction control with open diffs in high range in offroad mode. This looks like it's also disabled in low range when diffs are locked. Anyways, interesting test videos.

I had seen the Agile Offroad videos, then found another video from TFL that seemed to contradict the Agile Offroad results. I'm mostly wondering why these people are having to try to reverse engineer what's going on with ESC, Off Road switch, etc -- why isn't INEOS more forthcoming about how ESC operates when not in Off Road mode (if it's providing traction control why isn't that acknowledged anywhere, given that this vehicle is all about traction)...?