Land Rover Defender 50th Owners Handbook Rover

							CONTENTS
SECTION 1Introduction.......................................................... 1
SECTION 2Controls & instruments........................................ 7
SECTION 3Driving & operating............................................. 43
SECTION 4Owner maintenance............................................. 73
SECTION 5Workshop maintenance........................................ 109
SECTION 6General data......................................................... 125
SECTION 7Parts & accessories............................................... 135
SECTION 8Off-road driving.................................................... 139
Index..................................................................... 153
In-car entertainment
As part of the Land Rover environmental policy, this publication is printed on paper
made from elemental chlorine free pulp.
Publication No. LRL 0180ENG
Ó1998 Rover Group Limited 
						

							1 OWNERS HANDBOOK
This handbook covers all current versions of
the Land Rover Defender 90 and, together
with the Service Portfolio, provides all the
information you need to derive maximum
pleasure from owning and driving your new
vehicle.
For convenience, the handbook is divided into
sections, each dealing with a particular aspect
of driving or caring for the vehicle. Sections
are listed on the contents page and you will
find it worthwhile to take a little time to read
each one, and get to know your Defender as
soon as you possibly can. Remember, the
more you understand before you drive, the
greater the satisfaction once you are seated
behind the steering wheel.
Land Rover operates a policy of constant product
improvement and, therefore, reserves the right to change
specifications without notice at any time. Whilst every effort
is made to ensure complete accuracy of the information in
this handbook, no liabilities for inaccuracies or the
consequences thereof can be accepted by the manufacturer
or the dealer, except in respect of personal injury caused by
the negligence of the manufacturer or the dealer.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in
any form, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording,
or other means without prior written permission from
Rover Group Limited.
SECTION 1
Introduction
Section Contents Page
Service Portfolio 3..........................................
Warning labels 3.............................................
Vehicle identification number 4.......................
Anti-theft precautions 4..................................
Breakdown safety code 5................................ 
						

							2 
						

							Introduction
3 SERVICE PORTFOLIO
The Service Portfolio book included in your
literature pack, contains important vehicle
identification information, details of your
entitlement under the terms of the Land Rover
warranty, as well as useful consumer advice.
Most important of all, however, is the section
on maintenance. This outlines the servicing
requirements for your vehicle, as well as
incorporating the service record slips, which
the dealer should sign and stamp to certify
that routine services have been carried out at
the recommended intervals.
WARNING
Safety warnings are included in this
handbook. These indicate either a procedure
which must be followed precisely, or
information that should be considered with
great care in order to avoid the possibility of
personal injury or serious damage to the
vehicle.WARNING LABELS ATTACHED TO THE
VEHICLE
Warning labels attached to your
vehicle bearing this symbol
mean: DO NOT touch or adjust
components until you have read the relevant
instructions in the handbook.
Warning labels showing this
symbol indicate that the ignition
system utilises very high
voltages. DO NOT touch any ignition
components while the starter switch is
turned on!
WARNING
Your vehicle has a higher ground clearance
and, therefore, a higher centre of gravity
than ordinary passenger cars. This will
result in different handling characteristics.
Inexperienced drivers should take additional
care, particularly in off-road driving
situations and when performing abrupt
manoeuvres on unstable surfaces. 
						

							Introduction
4 VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (VIN)
If you need to communicate with a Land
Rover dealer, you may be asked to quote the
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
The VIN and recommended maximum vehicle
weights (dependent on market) is stamped on
a plate, located in the drivers footwell (this
should also match the VIN recorded in the
Service Porfolio book). The
In addition, as a deterrent to car thieves and to
assist the police, the VIN is also stamped on a
plate visible through the left side of the
windscreen.
A.Type approval
B.Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
C.Gross vehicle weight (where required)
D.Gross train weight (where required)
E.Maximum front axle load (where required)
F.Maximum rear axle load (where required)
NOTE:In the interests of safety, it is essential
that the gross vehicle weight, gross train
weight and axle loads are NOT exceeded. For
further information see General data.ANTI-THEFT PRECAUTIONS
While it may be difficult to deter the
professional car thief, the majority of thefts
are carried out by unskilled opportunists.
Therefore, take vehicle security very seriously
and ALWAYS adopt this simple five point
drill whenever you leave your vehicle - even
for just a few minutes:
·Fully close all the windows and the
sunroof (if fitted).
·Remove your valuable belongings (or hide
them out of sight).
·Remove the starter key.
·Engage the steering lock (by slightly
turning the wheel until it locks).
·Lock all the doors and arm the alarm.
Thieves are attracted to vulnerable vehicles.
Even if you have followed the five point drill,
there is still much you can do to make your
vehicle a less inviting target.
BE SAFE NOT SORRY!
·Park where your vehicle can easily be seen
by householders and passers-by.
·At night, park in well lit areas and avoid
deserted or dimly lit side streets.
·At home, if you have a garage, use it - and
NEVER leave the keys in the vehicle.
·Do not keep important vehicle documents
(or spare keys) in the vehicle - these are a
real bonus for the thief. 
						

							Introduction
5 IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Remember the breakdown
safety code
If a breakdown occurs while travelling:-
·Wherever possible, consistent with
road safety and traffic conditions,
the vehicle should be moved off the
main thoroughfare, preferably into a
lay-by. If a breakdown occurs on a
motorway, pull well over to the
inside of the hard shoulder.
·Switch on hazard lights.
·If possible, position a warning
triangle or a flashing amber light at
an appropriate distance from the
vehicle to warn other traffic of the
breakdown (note the legal
requirements of some areas in this
respect).
·Consider evacuating passengers
through the nearside doors onto the
verge as a precaution in case your
Defender is struck by another
vehicle. 
						

							6 
						

							7 In this section of the handbook you will find
descriptions of the controls and instruments
on your vehicle.
For your own safety, it is most important to
read this section fully and to gain a thorough
understanding of all the controls before
driving.
SECTION 2
Controls & instruments
Section Contents Page
Controls 9.......................................................
Locks & alarm 11...........................................
Seats 20.........................................................
Seat belts 22...................................................
Instruments 26...............................................
Warning lights 27...........................................
Lights & indicators 30....................................
Wipers & washers 32.....................................
Switches 34....................................................
Windows 35...................................................
Sunroof 36.....................................................
Heating & ventilation 37.................................
Air conditioning 40.........................................
Interior equipment 41.....................................