Hi everyone, sorry to be a pain but just getting used to my 2007 FL HSE and all the gadgets. Having had Discos for the last 20 years its mind boggling. Anyway, having a bit of trouble with the Satnav in as much as it works fine most of the time then every now and again the screen just starts flickering for a few minutes. The disc does have a few scratches but I would like to know if this is the problem before splashing out on a new one.
Also, this is an auto but there is no mention of a dipstick for the auto box in the owners manual. Is there one hidden away somewhere or what other means of checking level is there. Apart from that I can't believe what I have been missing all these years. The engine oil dipstick looks more like a corkscrew, is this normal or has some idiot tried to unscrew it.

Thanks in anticipation

The dipstick comes like that... I am not sure why.

I'm sorry I can't help with your other two questions but there is a ton of helpful and knowledgable folk here who will be along soon I'm sure.

Thanks for that, one question solved.

You're welcome. That reminded me of a story about my father in law..... It won't be short so feel free to skip.

Many years ago he operated a petrol station and workshop in Normanton in the Gulf of Carpentaria, a remote and far northern part of Australia.

He was an amazingly competant and interesting character who didn't like people in general, and definitely did not suffer fools gladly.... I was never sure how he felt about me...

In the north, those born and bred there often disparage southerners, and the outback folk are amused at the incompetence of city folk. Since Normanton was far north, and far outback, and often on the trip plan for many city-bred southerner 4wd owners, there was a constant stream of aggravating (to him) folk through with unreasonable demands and southern attitudes. If ever there was a mismatch of personality and occupation, then him working in a public-contact service position, was it..

Back then the service station was full service... he would fill your tank, and check your oil, and pass his experienced eye over your tyres etc. So one day he was checking the oil on a vehicle driven by a Victorian... (almost the furthest south you could be from). They were the worst... they spoke quickly, and drove like loonies, and were starting to move north to retire in droves...

So this blokes oil was low.... so low it didn't register on the dipstick. A miracle he hadn't broken down on the road before making it to Normanton. Rather than explain that to the driver, he used a typical shorthand, yet roundabout way to say it....

"You need a longer dipstick...."

The driver replied...

"Oh, ok, have you got one in stock?"

Still makes me smile thinking about how two people could be on such different wavelengths.

😅

Hey there, can't offer much advice about your satnav flicker.

As regards the auto box oil level, there isn't a dip stick or level plug ,such as you might have come across on a rear axle or transfer box.

The box is "sealed for life " but of course all things mechanical need and respond to some tlc. If you use the excellent search facility on here you will find lots of help, explained in a way I cannot

I can tell you that you don't top up the oil, you go through a ritual of empty, refill, empty, refill etc.

Perhaps not the help you wanted but I managed to do it after searching and reading

It does run sweet, worth doing! Back in the fold after 8 yrs. V8 Disco 300 series-Gone.07 Freelander 2 HSE Auto Rimini Red.
Gone.
2013 HSE Lux Havana ( Brown! )

Thanks for that Soul Fan, it's booked in for cam belt and a full oil change all round on Thursday so looks like I'm on the right track. Sat navy seems to be settling down now so fingers crossed.

Your wallet will thank you for changing from a Disco to a Freelander, mine certainly did. Updated- Waiting for a Scotland v England 6 Nations home win. 24th Feb 2018
Gone-1972 88 SWB Soft top
Gone-1981 24v FFR Lightweight
Gone-2009 Freelander 2 TD4 GS manual
Gone before it bankrupted me- 2008 Discovery 3 TDV6 Auto
2013 Freelander 2 SD4 GS Auto

Walruslike wrote:

You're welcome. That reminded me of a story about my father in law..... It won't be short so feel free to skip.

Many years ago he operated a petrol station and workshop in Normanton in the Gulf of Carpentaria, a remote and far northern part of Australia.

He was an amazingly competant and interesting character who didn't like people in general, and definitely did not suffer fools gladly.... I was never sure how he felt about me...

In the north, those born and bred there often disparage southerners, and the outback folk are amused at the incompetence of city folk. Since Normanton was far north, and far outback, and often on the trip plan for many city-bred southerner 4wd owners, there was a constant stream of aggravating (to him) folk through with unreasonable demands and southern attitudes. If ever there was a mismatch of personality and occupation, then him working in a public-contact service position, was it..

Back then the service station was full service... he would fill your tank, and check your oil, and pass his experienced eye over your tyres etc. So one day he was checking the oil on a vehicle driven by a Victorian... (almost the furthest south you could be from). They were the worst... they spoke quickly, and drove like loonies, and were starting to move north to retire in droves...

So this blokes oil was low.... so low it didn't register on the dipstick. A miracle he hadn't broken down on the road before making it to Normanton. Rather than explain that to the driver, he used a typical shorthand, yet roundabout way to say it....

"You need a longer dipstick...."

The driver replied...

"Oh, ok, have you got one in stock?"

Still makes me smile thinking about how two people could be on such different wavelengths.

Walruslike wrote:

The dipstick comes like that... I am not sure why.

I'm sorry I can't help with your other two questions but there is a ton of helpful and knowledgable folk here who will be along soon I'm sure.

Solihullman wrote:

The engine oil dipstick looks more like a corkscrew, is this normal or has some idiot tried to unscrew it.