Land Rover Defender 50th Owners Handbook Rover

Off-road driving
148
DESCENDING STEEP SLOPES
A.Stop the vehicle at least a vehicle length
before the slope and select 1, LOW range
with the differential locked.
B.Unless it is necessary to stop the vehicle
in order to negotiate obstructions,DO NOT
touch the brake pedal during the descent -
the engine will limit the speed, keeping the
vehicle under control provided the front
wheels are turning. If the vehicle begins to
slide, accelerate gently to maintain
directional stability - DO NOT use the
brakes or...

Off-road driving
149
TRAVERSING A SLOPE
Before crossing a slope, ALWAYS observe the
following precautions:
·Check that the ground is firm and not
slippery.
·Check that the wheels on the downhill side
of the vehicle are not likely to drop into
any depressions in the ground and that the
uphill wheels will not run over rocks, tree
roots, or similar obstacles, that could
suddenly increase the angle of tilt.
·Ensure that passenger weight is evenly
distributed, that all roof rack luggage is
removed and that...

Off-road driving
150 DRIVING IN EXISTING WHEEL TRACKS
As far as possible, allow the vehicle to steer
itself along the bottom of the ruts. However,
always keep a light hold of the steering wheel
to prevent it from spinning free.
Particularly in wet conditions, if the steering
wheel is allowed to spin free, the vehicle may
appear to be driving straight ahead in the ruts,
but in actual fact (due to the lack of traction
caused by wet ground) is unknowingly on full
right or left lock. Then, when level ground...

Off-road driving
151 WADING
WARNING
The maximum advisable wading depth is 20
in. (0,5 metre).
Severe electrical damage may occur, if the
vehicle remains stationary for any length of
time when the water level is above the door
sills.
If the water is likely to exceed 20 in. (0,5
metre) while the vehicle is moving, the
following precautions MUST be observed:
·Fix a plastic sheet in front of the radiator
grille, to prevent water from soaking the
engine and mud from blocking the
radiator.
·Ensure that the...

152 

Index
153
A
Accessories 137.............................................
Air cleaner dump valve check 117..................
Air cleaner element renewal 117.....................
Air conditioning 40.........................................
Air filter 117....................................................
Air vents 37....................................................
Anti-freeze 84 & 128.......................................
Anti-theft precautions 4..................................
Ashtray...

Index
154
H
H.T. leads 118................................................
Handbrake 63.................................................
Handbrake check 124.....................................
Hazard warning lights 34................................
Headlights 30.................................................
Headlight levelling 31.....................................
Heater 38........................................................
Height (of vehicle) 50.....................................
High...

Index
155
T
Tachometer 26...............................................
Taildoor 11.....................................................
Telephones 42................................................
Temperature gauge 26....................................
Total distance recorder 26..............................
Towing 64......................................................
Towing for recovery 69...................................
Towing weights 65 & 131...............................
Trailer socket...