Brian

My 2003 Land Rover Freelander shifted itself into "downhill" mode. I didn't push the button (even accidentally) or move the gearshift over to the "sport" mode. I was just leaving a parking spot by the road and it suddenly did it. The code "F 4" (or "4 F") is flashing on the left side of the odometer window. The yellow "Check Engine Soon" and the yellow "downhill mode" indicator (with an exclamation mark) are both lit. The car is very sluggish as I leave a standing stop, including stop lights. A quick merge into traffic is impossible.

Naturally, my closest dealer is 2.5 hours away since I moved here. I called several local transmission places, but none service Land Rovers. Two, however, feel it could be a computer problem rather than a trannie problem.

Is there anything I can do myself to try resetting/rebooting the computer? If not, is it OK to drive the car for any distance in this mode? I would either go to a repair shop 25 minutes away and hope they can fix it, as they handle Land Rovers, or 2.5 hours to the dealer. Both destinations would include highway driving.

I sure appreciate any advice anyone who has Land Rover experience can offer. Thank you!

I'm helping a friend, who's a budding model, put together a modeling card to hand out to agencies, at auditions and screen tests, etc. I have a couple samples, one an oversized postcard and one a single-fold, front-and-back piece that's about 5.5" x 8.5". Is there an industry standard that is preferred? In addition to his height/weight, clothing/shoe sizes, is there any other info that should be included on the card? Thanks for your advice.

My DVD player offers component video outputs, which I understand offer a better picture than the S-video cable. Component video cables are expensive! However, I have several left-over three-cable RCA audio cables that fit the outlets on the DVD player and the LCD TV. Can I use them instead of component video? Thanks for your advice!

We live in northwest Florida where our banana trees planted around the house do great most of the year, but invariably freeze when we have a couple winter coldsnaps. Any advice on protecting them, especially the trunks? Should we trim the fronds and wrap the trunks or something? Thanks!