Discovery 2017

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  • JBFUK
    Member Since: 25 Apr 2022
    Location: South East
    Posts: 52
    United Kingdom 

    Driver steering assist with a bike rack?

    Recently noticed when I have the tow ball mounted bike rack on the car, steering assist is disabled.

    I understand that some things don't work with a trailer etc attached - like blind spot monitoring, understandably because the sensors are blocked - but I don't believe steering assist uses that I think it's all based on the forward facing cameras which detect the road markings and keep you centred.

    I'm presuming this is not a bug and others have the same limitation? Probably due to concerns about its use while towing and possible 'tank slappers' triggered by automated steering inputs?

    Any way around this? The only thing I can think of is unplugging the bike carrier from the tow-bar electrics so it doesn't sense that I'm 'towing'. I don't think that would go down too well with French highway police as the bike rack would then be un-lit...

    It's a real shame, I've been looking forward to taking our bikes on holiday this year but steering assist is essential on a 14h+ drive.
  • Wolfpack
    Member Since: 25 May 2019
    Location: Norfolk, UK
    Posts: 363
    United Kingdom 
    2017 Discovery Si6 HSE Corris Grey

    Is it an EU 13pin trailer connection or the 7pin ?

    Just wondering if wiring that’s geared for caravan towing has different pin assignments for functions you don’t need that are interfering ?
  • Loz
    Member Since: 29 Mar 2023
    Location: Berkeley
    Posts: 52
    United Kingdom 

    Unfortunately, LR has neglected to add a non-trailer type profile.
    So you will also get a speed warning with a bike rack added.

    2023 Dynamic-R Metropolitan Edition D300MHEV
  • BBDisco5
    Member Since: 30 Jun 2020
    Location: Cheshire
    Posts: 38
    United Kingdom 
    2022 Discovery SDV6 HSE Lux Carpathian Grey

    Re: Driver steering assist with a bike rack?

    JBFUK wrote:
    Recently noticed when I have the tow ball mounted bike rack on the car, steering assist is disabled.

    I'm presuming this is not a bug and others have the same limitation? Probably due to concerns about its use while towing and possible 'tank slappers' triggered by automated steering inputs?


    Both my 2020 & current 2023 model had factory fitted electrically deployed tow hitch and it is only the blind spot monitoring which is deactivated on mine when a cycle rack is attached.
  • JonM
    Member Since: 30 Jun 2016
    Location: North Yorkshire
    Posts: 599
    United Kingdom 
    2022 Discovery SDV6 HSE Carpathian Grey

    On both D5s that I've had, Lane Keep Assist and Emergency Lane Keep Assist still work as normal with a trailer attached.

    However, there used to be an option on earlier D5s for "steering assist" which was almost an autopilot to keep the vehicle in the centre of the lane. The instruction manual contains this warning:


    Click image to enlarge

    MY2022 D5 HSE D300 - with extra nice bits added
    MY2019 D5 HSE 3.0 SDV6 - sold to a dealer for a crazy price!
  • JBFUK
    Member Since: 25 Apr 2022
    Location: South East
    Posts: 52
    United Kingdom 

    Yes it is steering assist I'm talking about - almost essential on a 14h drive, really reduces the workload and fatigue.

    The thing is this manual entry suggests you don't use it with a trailer - which is sensible with a real trailer, but not an issue with a towbar mounted bike carrier. It doesn't say the feature will be disabled but that seems to be the case.
  • JonM
    Member Since: 30 Jun 2016
    Location: North Yorkshire
    Posts: 599
    United Kingdom 
    2022 Discovery SDV6 HSE Carpathian Grey

    The car only detects a trailer by the electrics being connected. It can't tell the difference between a real trailer and a bike carrier.

    I don't have steering assist, but I can't use the automatic speed limiter with the bike carrier on unless I want to go at trailer speed (10mph slower on 60&70 mph roads).

    Ideally, the trailer selection screen would have a bike carrier option, but it doesn't.

    MY2022 D5 HSE D300 - with extra nice bits added
    MY2019 D5 HSE 3.0 SDV6 - sold to a dealer for a crazy price!
  • discus
    Member Since: 22 Aug 2019
    Location: North
    Posts: 161
    United Kingdom 

    JBFUK wrote:
    Yes it is steering assist I'm talking about - almost essential on a 14h drive, really reduces the workload and fatigue.
    .

    Quite ridiculous that steering assist has been removed from the current Discovery. It was a great option fitted to my old car, was shocked to find it missing on my new one.

    2024 Discovery Metropolitan D300 - Offroad & Towing Packs - Varesine Blue
    2019 Discovery HSE SDV6
  • JBFUK
    Member Since: 25 Apr 2022
    Location: South East
    Posts: 52
    United Kingdom 

    Yes, as I said, it’s fine warning that it’s not advisable to use this with a trailer, do so at your own risk etc etc. The manual suggests it should not be used with a trailer but it does not say the feature will be disabled. Annoying.
  • JBFUK
    Member Since: 25 Apr 2022
    Location: South East
    Posts: 52
    United Kingdom 

    discus wrote:
    JBFUK wrote:
    Yes it is steering assist I'm talking about - almost essential on a 14h drive, really reduces the workload and fatigue.
    .

    Quite ridiculous that steering assist has been removed from the current Discovery. It was a great option fitted to my old car, was shocked to find it missing on my new one.


    Yes. I found it ridiculous that rear entertainment is not an option either. Sure you can just give the kids tablets, but when they’re small it’s very useful being able to control their screens from the front.
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