Land Rover Defender 02my Owners Handbook 2nd Edition Rover

Transfer Gearbox
70
T ransfer GearboxTRANSFER GEARBOX
The second gear lever is used to select either 
the high or low range of gears in the transfer 
gearbox and, in addition, also controls the 
centre differential (known as the ‘Diff lock’).
High range (‘H’)
The high range of gears should be used for all 
normal road driving and also for off-road 
driving across dry, level terrain.
Low range (‘L’)
Use low range gears when moving off from rest 
when towing a heavy load, or in any situation 
where low...

Transfer Gearbox
71
Changing from high to low on the move
With the vehicle slowing to a stop and travelling 
NO FASTER THAN 5 mph (8 km/h), depress the 
clutch and push the transfer lever into neutral. 
Just before the road wheels stop turning (and 
with the clutch still depressed) push the lever 
fully forward into ‘L’ (low).
NOTE: Use positive and confident moves, but 
do not rush the gear change.
Changing from low to high on the move
Changing from ‘L’ (low) to ‘H’ (high) can be 
achieved without...

Transfer Gearbox
72
WARNING
DO NOT engage the diff lock if one or more 
wheels are slipping - this could damage the 
transmission. If wheels are slipping, ease off 
the accelerator before engaging the diff lock.
DO NOT engage the diff lock from the transfer 
neutral position.
To lock the differential: 
Briefly ease the throttle and move the transfer 
gear lever to the left - from either ‘H’ (high) or 
‘L’ (low) position (the warning light on the 
instrument panel will illuminate).
To unlock the...

Brakes
73
BrakesFOOT BRAKE
For your safety, the hydraulic braking system 
operates through dual circuits. If one circuit 
should fail, the other will continue to function. 
However, in the event of brake failure where 
only one circuit is operational, the vehicle 
should only be driven at slow speed to the 
nearest qualified dealer. In these 
circumstances, exercise extreme caution and 
be aware that increased brake pedal travel, 
greater pedal pressure, and longer stopping 
distances will be...

Brakes
74
HANDBRAKE 
Unlike most other vehicles, the handbrake 
operates on the rear propeller shaft, and NOT 
on the road wheels. This may result in slight 
movement of the vehicle after the handbrake is 
applied.
To engage the handbrake, pull the lever up fully.
To release, pull the lever up slightly, depress 
the button and lower the lever.
Always apply the handbrake fully whenever 
you park.
When parking on a slope, do not rely on the 
handbrake alone to hold the vehicle, park in a 
low forward gear...

Brakes
75
In normal road use, in an emergency situation 
full braking effort should always be applied 
even when the road surface is slippery. The 
anti-lock braking system constantly monitors 
the speed of each wheel and varies braking 
pressure to each, according to the amount of 
traction available, thereby ensuring that the 
wheels do not lock.
No matter how hard you brake, you should be 
able to continue steering the vehicle as 
NORMAL. 
•DO NOT pump the brake pedal at any time; 
this will interrupt...

Traction Control
76
T ra c tion C ont ro lELECTRONIC TRACTION CONTROL*
The purpose of electronic traction control is to 
aid traction when one or more wheels are 
spinning while others have good grip, e.g. if one 
wheel is on ice and others are on tarmac. The 
system works by applying the brake to a 
spinning wheel in order to transfer torque to the 
remaining wheels.
NOTE: Traction control can operate up to 
speeds of 30 mph (50 km/h).
Warning light
The instrument panel has a traction 
control warning...

Towing
77
Tow ing
TOWING
The torque ranges of Land Rover engines allow 
maximum-weight loads to be pulled smoothly 
from standstill, and reduce gear changing on 
hills or rough terrain. A smooth start will be 
achieved with trailers over 4400 lb (2000 kg) by 
moving off in low range then changing to high 
range while on the move (see ‘TRANSFER 
GEARBOX’, page 70).
The suspension is designed to cope with a 
heavy trailer load without upsetting the balance 
or feel of the vehicle.
WARNING
It is recommended...

Towing
78
Points to remember:
•When calculating the laden weight of the 
trailer, remember to include the weight of 
the trailer PLUS the load.
•The recommended trailer nose weight plus 
the combined weight of the vehicles load 
carrying area and rear seat passengers must 
never exceed the specified maximum rear 
axle load (see ‘TOWING WEIGHTS’, 
page 162).
•Where the load can be divided between 
trailer and tow vehicle, loading more weight 
into the vehicle will generally improve the 
stability of the...

Load Carrying
79
Loa d C a rry ingLUGGAGE SPACE
WARNING
DO NOT carry unsecured equipment, tools or 
luggage which could move and cause 
personal injury in the event of an accident or 
emergency manoeuvre, either on or off road.
ROOF RACKS 
ALWAYS use an approved roof rack and follow 
the manufacturer’s fitting instructions carefully. 
A full list of all approved accessories is available 
from your Land Rover dealer.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Always observe the following precautions:
•The MAXIMUM load for...