Scorpio AT: Is it suitable for Leh ladakh?

pramods · 7th May 2010, 23:05

Guys, want to do Leh Ladakh again in May end this year, was excited as I have AT 4WD, then the thought can in will AT sustain the abuse of Leh Ladakh, what happen in anything goes wrong, what need to be done and what are the precaution that need to be taken for AT in these terrain.

I need your suggestion and confirmation, so I can be in peace at those terrain and instead of worrying about vehicle can enjoy the nature .

My Question are
1> has some one taken any AT vehicle before in the terrain?
2> Know somebody who have taken any AT vehicle without any problem
3> What precaution need to be taken for AT vehicle, remember the AT box can overheat, this is not engine but the gearbox itself,
4> Temperature and altitude effect on AT box
5> Hill climbing and descending with AT box
6> In case of failure what need to be done to tow the vehicle, suppose AT box fails in D mode and not able to move to N what need to be done to get he vehicle towed.
7> any alternative way to "dhaka start" apart from new battery or jump start from other vehicle

these are few question that I have as on now, please pore in your suggestion and experience so I can learn and take a better decision, you don't want to be alone waiting on those terrain!!

-Pramod

vinaydas · 7th May 2010, 23:07

in the other pic posted by one of the members in the shifting gears section, i saw indica's and 800 in traffic jams in between the ice walls.
IMO all you need is a vehichle with a GC of minimum 170 mm to do it properly.

pramods · 7th May 2010, 23:59

I have done this circuit last year same time in Scorpio, but that was a manual and this one is AT, I believe the characteristic of both vehicle and internal design are different, it better to know the limitation of vehicle than trying to push it through.
Would like to have pro and cons of AT in these terrian and altitude and whta is possible and what is not, I was thinking of doing Mersimek La as this 4WD AT, but unless I have any clue of how this might turn out to be it would be better left for some other day!!

-Pramod

KMT · 8th May 2010, 04:21

With AT no push start is possible.
I had a problem on my AT Cherokee when the 4x4 jammed on 4H, the mechanic had to get under it and release it.
In case of emergency if you cant get it in N, you have to chuck it on the back of a lorry.
However I reckon this is a very unlikely situation.

MileCruncher · 8th May 2010, 07:10

@Pramod: Since yours is a new vehicle, I don't think it should have a problem, but you'll definitely need to get the clutch checked once back as there are many places where you'll need to revv very hard especially the Changla climb.

jaysmokesleaves · 8th May 2010, 09:03

Pramod dont even think twice!!
Firstly its a suv, + 4wd + new vehicle. Only thing you need in addition to that is self confidence and the feeling of being "Alexander the great".
Go conquer!! Your AT is more capable than you might think. So go and put it to the test. Would love to hear about your 4wd escapades when you get back.

Cheers,

Jay

pramods · 8th May 2010, 13:18

I hope the AT 4WD performs as expected, right now the trip in on and am still planning the places to see and visit. It would still be nice to know how AT will perform in these terrains, I am yet to hear or know of anyone who has done this circuit with AT, this would give a first hand experience but would also put me in some unknown situation too!

-Pramod

subscrive · 8th May 2010, 21:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by pramods

3> What precaution need to be taken for AT vehicle, remember the AT box can overheat, this is not engine but the gearbox itself,

I didnt know that AT overheats... I mean the sentence implies that MT doesnt overheat, but AT does.

pramods · 9th May 2010, 00:28

Yes the AT box does over heat, here I am talking about the AT box, not the engine, there are auxilary cooler for AT box, if not OEM then you can install it separately, which will make the AT operating temp cooler. As the terrain would be real tough that's why my question related to AT over heating.

-Pramod
PS: In manual the is no fluid that heats up but in AT the operation is dependent on ATF[Automatic Fluid] and there are too many mechanical part.

subscrive · 9th May 2010, 07:46

Ok. Useful info.
I can try that aux cooler for my AT OHC - if there are any; or at least talk to mechanic for its need in my car.

But just fyi... my AT OHC never over heated or felt as if there's any strain on the engine etc. which one might feel in the case of over heating.

Btw Leh ladakh is quite cold. So the ambient temp will take care of such 'over heating' issues, I guess.

MileCruncher · 9th May 2010, 07:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by pramods

Yes the AT box does over heat, here I am talking about the AT box, not the engine, there are auxilary cooler for AT box, if not OEM then you can install it separately, which will make the AT operating temp cooler. As the terrain would be real tough that's why my question related to AT over heating.

-Pramod
PS: In manual the is no fluid that heats up but in AT the operation is dependent on ATF[Automatic Fluid] and there are too many mechanical part.

Well you might have overheating especially during steep climbs as the clutch will have to fight to provide momentum. But then I'm sure M&M would have tested the AT in severe conditions. I would suggest contacting BD or Spike for greater clarity on this issue.

pramods · 12th May 2010, 11:40

I an going to take the AT to Himalaya's and see, now the question is has anyone fabricated any skid plate for Scorpio? if yes can they share the design here ?

-Pramod

pramods · 11th June 2010, 16:20

The AT failed at Leh, the ATF leaked and the vehicle came to standstill, the leakage was not from any damage done due to road/no road, but it leaked from the pipe that had plastic and metal joint. I am sure nobody would like to take there AT to Leh Ladhak anymore!!!!

-Pramod

MileCruncher · 11th June 2010, 16:45

Pramod' really sad to hear what happened. I hope that your AT comes back home in its pristine condition.

Could you elaborate a bit more about the functioning and usage of this ATF?

Is it normal gear oil or is there something different? And why a cooler?

Blue Thunder · 11th June 2010, 16:48

Sorry to read about this, pramods. Any findings on why this leak happened? And which pipe is this? location ? (Hoping that it is not torque-converter leak)

This is very disappointing indeed. Did this happen at some place where it was too steep and you had to rev hard, or was it normal driving all along?

7th May 2010, 23:05	#1
pramods BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Nagpur Posts: 980 Thanked: 818 Times	Scorpio AT: Is it suitable for Leh ladakh? Guys, want to do Leh Ladakh again in May end this year, was excited as I have AT 4WD, then the thought can in will AT sustain the abuse of Leh Ladakh, what happen in anything goes wrong, what need to be done and what are the precaution that need to be taken for AT in these terrain. I need your suggestion and confirmation, so I can be in peace at those terrain and instead of worrying about vehicle can enjoy the nature . My Question are 1> has some one taken any AT vehicle before in the terrain? 2> Know somebody who have taken any AT vehicle without any problem 3> What precaution need to be taken for AT vehicle, remember the AT box can overheat, this is not engine but the gearbox itself, 4> Temperature and altitude effect on AT box 5> Hill climbing and descending with AT box 6> In case of failure what need to be done to tow the vehicle, suppose AT box fails in D mode and not able to move to N what need to be done to get he vehicle towed. 7> any alternative way to "dhaka start" apart from new battery or jump start from other vehicle these are few question that I have as on now, please pore in your suggestion and experience so I can learn and take a better decision, you don't want to be alone waiting on those terrain!! -Pramod
	() Thanks

7th May 2010, 23:07	#2
vinaydas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 1,399 Thanked: 148 Times	in the other pic posted by one of the members in the shifting gears section, i saw indica's and 800 in traffic jams in between the ice walls. IMO all you need is a vehichle with a GC of minimum 170 mm to do it properly.
	() Thanks

7th May 2010, 23:59	#3
pramods BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Nagpur Posts: 980 Thanked: 818 Times	I have done this circuit last year same time in Scorpio, but that was a manual and this one is AT, I believe the characteristic of both vehicle and internal design are different, it better to know the limitation of vehicle than trying to push it through. Would like to have pro and cons of AT in these terrian and altitude and whta is possible and what is not, I was thinking of doing Mersimek La as this 4WD AT, but unless I have any clue of how this might turn out to be it would be better left for some other day!! -Pramod
	() Thanks

8th May 2010, 04:21	#4
KMT BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Coorg Posts: 455 Thanked: 877 Times	With AT no push start is possible. I had a problem on my AT Cherokee when the 4x4 jammed on 4H, the mechanic had to get under it and release it. In case of emergency if you cant get it in N, you have to chuck it on the back of a lorry. However I reckon this is a very unlikely situation.
	() Thanks

8th May 2010, 07:10	#5
MileCruncher Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: MH01 Posts: 4,235 Thanked: 589 Times View My Garage	@Pramod: Since yours is a new vehicle, I don't think it should have a problem, but you'll definitely need to get the clutch checked once back as there are many places where you'll need to revv very hard especially the Changla climb.
	() Thanks

8th May 2010, 09:03	#6
jaysmokesleaves Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mostly Mumbai Posts: 1,702 Thanked: 1,452 Times	Pramod dont even think twice!! Firstly its a suv, + 4wd + new vehicle. Only thing you need in addition to that is self confidence and the feeling of being "Alexander the great". Go conquer!! Your AT is more capable than you might think. So go and put it to the test. Would love to hear about your 4wd escapades when you get back. Cheers, Jay
	() Thanks

8th May 2010, 13:18	#7
pramods BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Nagpur Posts: 980 Thanked: 818 Times	I hope the AT 4WD performs as expected, right now the trip in on and am still planning the places to see and visit. It would still be nice to know how AT will perform in these terrains, I am yet to hear or know of anyone who has done this circuit with AT, this would give a first hand experience but would also put me in some unknown situation too! -Pramod
	() Thanks

9th May 2010, 00:28	#9
pramods BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Nagpur Posts: 980 Thanked: 818 Times	Yes the AT box does over heat, here I am talking about the AT box, not the engine, there are auxilary cooler for AT box, if not OEM then you can install it separately, which will make the AT operating temp cooler. As the terrain would be real tough that's why my question related to AT over heating. -Pramod PS: In manual the is no fluid that heats up but in AT the operation is dependent on ATF[Automatic Fluid] and there are too many mechanical part.
	() Thanks

9th May 2010, 07:46	#10
subscrive BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 258 Thanked: 30 Times View My Garage	Ok. Useful info. I can try that aux cooler for my AT OHC - if there are any; or at least talk to mechanic for its need in my car. But just fyi... my AT OHC never over heated or felt as if there's any strain on the engine etc. which one might feel in the case of over heating. Btw Leh ladakh is quite cold. So the ambient temp will take care of such 'over heating' issues, I guess.
	() Thanks

12th May 2010, 11:40	#12
pramods BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Nagpur Posts: 980 Thanked: 818 Times	I an going to take the AT to Himalaya's and see, now the question is has anyone fabricated any skid plate for Scorpio? if yes can they share the design here ? -Pramod
	() Thanks

11th June 2010, 16:20	#13
pramods BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Nagpur Posts: 980 Thanked: 818 Times	The AT failed at Leh, the ATF leaked and the vehicle came to standstill, the leakage was not from any damage done due to road/no road, but it leaked from the pipe that had plastic and metal joint. I am sure nobody would like to take there AT to Leh Ladhak anymore!!!! -Pramod
	() Thanks

11th June 2010, 16:45	#14
MileCruncher Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: MH01 Posts: 4,235 Thanked: 589 Times View My Garage	Pramod' really sad to hear what happened. I hope that your AT comes back home in its pristine condition. Could you elaborate a bit more about the functioning and usage of this ATF? Is it normal gear oil or is there something different? And why a cooler?
	() Thanks

11th June 2010, 16:48	#15
Blue Thunder Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Right here . Posts: 1,657 Thanked: 386 Times View My Garage	Sorry to read about this, pramods. Any findings on why this leak happened? And which pipe is this? location ? (Hoping that it is not torque-converter leak) This is very disappointing indeed. Did this happen at some place where it was too steep and you had to rev hard, or was it normal driving all along? Last edited by Blue Thunder : 11th June 2010 at 16:50.
	() Thanks