Land Rover Defender 50th Owners Handbook Rover

							Parts & accessories
138 After sales service
The After Sales Parts service is of paramount
importance, both in the UK and across the
world. In the UK there are over 100 authorised
Land Rover dealers, all computer linked for
rapid ordering of parts and accessories.
In addition, with franchised representation in
over 100 countries worldwide, Land Rover are
able to support your vehicle wherever you go.
Only Land Rover dealers are able to provide
the full range of recommended parts and
accessories that meet our rigorous standards
of safety, durability and performance.
Travelling abroad
In certain countries, it is illegal to fit parts
which have not been made to the vehicle
manufacturers specification.
Owners should ensure that any parts or
accessories fitted to the vehicle while
travelling abroad, will conform to the legal
requirements of their own country when they
return home. 
						

							139 This section of the handbook is devoted to
your vehicles superb off-road driving
capabilities.
Before venturing off-road however, it is
absolutely essentialthat inexperienced
drivers become fully familiar with the vehicles
controls, in particular the transfer gearbox,
and also study the off-road driving techniques
described on the following pages.
SECTION 8
Off-road driving
Section Contents Page
Basic off-road techniques 141........................
Driving on soft surfaces & dry sand 145........
Driving on slippery surfaces 146....................
Driving on rough tracks 146...........................
Climbing steep slopes 147..............................
Descending steep slopes 148.........................
Traversing a slope 149...................................
Negotiating a V shaped gully 149..................
Driving in existing wheel tracks 150...............
Crossing a ridge 150......................................
Crossing a ditch 150.......................................
Wading 151.................................................... 
						

							140 
						

							Off-road driving
141
WARNING
Off-road driving can be hazardous!
·DO NOT take unnecessary risks.
·Be prepared for emergencies at all
times.
·Your Land Rover has a higher ground
clearance and, therefore, a higher centre
of gravity than an ordinary passenger
car. An abrupt manoeuvre at an
inappropriate speed, or on an unstable
surface, could cause the vehicle to go
out of control.
·Familiarise yourself with the
recommended driving techniques in
order to minimise risks to yourself, your
vehicle AND your passengers.
·Always ensure that seat belts are worn
for personal protection in all off-road
driving conditions.
·DO NOT drive if the fuel level is low -
undulating ground and steep inclines
could cause fuel starvation to the engine
and consequent damage to the catalytic
converter.BASIC OFF-ROAD TECHNIQUES
These basic driving techniques are an
introduction to the art of off-road driving and
do not necessarily provide the information
needed to successfully cope with every single
off-road situation.
We strongly recommend that owners who
intend to drive off-road frequently, should
seek as much additional information and
practical experience as possible.
Gear selection
With the gearshift lever set at D, the gearbox
automatically provides the correct gear for the
appropriate gear range selected (HIGH or
LOW). Remember that position 1 will hold
the gearbox in first gear to give maximum
engine braking when required.
Transfer gears
High range gears should be used whenever
possible - only change to low range when
ground conditions become very difficult. The
DIFF LOCK should be engaged whenever there
is a risk of losing wheel grip, and disengaged
as soon as firm, level, non-slippery ground is
reached. 
						

							Off-road driving
142 Braking
As far as possible, vehicle speed should be
controlled through correct gear selection.
Application of the brake pedal should be kept
to an absolute minimum. Harsh braking on
wet, muddy or loose surfaces, could prove
dangerous.
NOTE:If the correct gear and gear range have
been selected, braking will be largely
unnecessary.
Use of engine for braking
Before descending steep slopes, stop the
vehicle at least a length before the descent,
move the gearshift lever to N, engage LOW
range and then select 1 or 2 in the main
gearbox, depending on the severity of the
incline.
While descending the slope, it should be
remembered that the engine will provide
sufficient braking effort to control the rate of
descent, and that the brakes should not be
applied.
Accelerating
Use the accelerator with care - any sudden
surge of power may induce wheel spin and
result in loss of control of the vehicle.Steering
WARNING
DO NOT hold the steering wheel with your
thumbs inside the rim - a sudden kick of
the wheel as the vehicle negotiates a rut or
boulder could seriously injure them.
ALWAYS grip the wheel on the outside of the
rim (as shown) when traversing uneven
ground.
Survey the ground before driving
Before negotiating difficult terrain, it is wise to
carry out a preliminary survey on foot. This
will minimise the risk of your vehicle getting
into difficulty through a previously unnoticed
hazard. 
						

							Off-road driving
143 Ground clearance
Dont forget to allow for ground clearance
beneath the chassis, axles and under the front
and rear bumpers. Note that the axle
differentials are situated BELOW the chassis
and are positioned slightly to the RIGHT of the
centre of the vehicle. Note also that there are
other parts of the vehicle which may come
into contact with the ground; where possible,
attempt to avoid obstacles that may foul the
chassis or differentials.
Ground clearance is particularly important at
the bottom of a steep slope, or where wheel
ruts are unusually deep and where sudden
changes in the slope of the ground are
experienced.
On soft ground, the axle differentials will clear
their own path in all but the most difficult
conditions. However, on frozen, rocky or hard
ground, hard contact between the differentials
and the ground will generally result in the
vehicle coming to a sudden stop.
Always attempt to avoid obstacles that may
foul the chassis or axle differentials.Loss of traction
If the vehicle is immobile due to loss of wheel
grip, the following hints could be of value:
·Avoid prolonged wheel spin; this will make
matters worse.
·Remove obstacles rather than forcing the
vehicle across them.
·Clear clogged tyre treads.
·Reverse as far as possible, then attempt
an increased speed approach - additional
momentum may overcome the obstacle.
·Brushwood, sacking or any similar
material placed in front of the tyres, will
improve tyre grip. 
						

							Off-road driving
144 IMPORTANT INFORMATION
After driving off-road
Before rejoining the public highway, or
driving at speeds above 25 mph (40
km/h), consideration should be given to
the following:
·Wheels and tyres must be cleaned of
mud and inspected for damage -
ensure there are no lumps or bulges
in the tyres, or exposure of the ply
or cord structure.
·Brake discs and calipers should be
examined and any stones or grit that
may affect braking efficiency
removed.
Servicing requirements
Vehicles operating in arduous conditions,
particularly on dusty, muddy, or wet
terrain, and vehicles undergoing frequent
or deep wading conditions, will require
more frequent servicing. SeeOwner
maintenanceand contact a Land Rover
dealer for advice.
In addition:
After wading in salt water or driving on
sandy beaches, use a hose to thoroughly
wash the underbody components and any
exposed body panels with fresh water.
This will help to protect the vehicles
cosmetic appearance. 
						

							Off-road driving
145 DRIVING ON SOFT SURFACES & DRY SAND
The ideal technique for driving on soft ground
and dry sand, requires the vehicle to be kept
moving at all times - soft ground and sand
cause excessive drag on the wheels, resulting
in a rapid loss of motion once driving
momentum is lost. For this reason, gear
changing should be avoided.
·Engage the DIFF LOCK.
·Select the highest suitable gear and
REMAIN in that gear until a firm surface is
reached. It is generally advisable to use
LOW range gears, as these will enable you
to accelerate through worsening
conditions, without the risk of being
unable to restart.
·Disengage the DIFF LOCK as soon as firm
ground is reached.Stopping the vehicle on soft ground, in sand
or on an incline
If you do stop your vehicle, remember:
Starting on an incline, or in soft ground or
sand, is almost impossible. Always park on a
firm level area, or with the vehicle facing
downhill.
To avoid wheel spin, select position D and
use the MINIMUM throttle necessary to get
the vehicle moving.
If forward motion is lost, avoid excessive use
of the throttle - this will cause wheel spin and
tend to dig the vehicle into the sand. Clear
sand from around the tyres and ensure that
the chassis and axles are not bearing on the
sand, before again attempting to move.
If the wheels have sunk, use an air bag lifting
device or high lift jack to raise the vehicle, and
then build up sand under the wheels so that
the vehicle is again on level ground. If a
restart is still not possible, place sand mats or
ladders beneath the wheels. 
						

							Off-road driving
146 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
(ice, snow, mud, wet grass)
·With the DIFF LOCK engaged, select D in
LOW range.
·Drive away using the MINIMUM possible
throttle opening.
·Drive slowly at all times, keeping braking
to a minimum and avoiding violent
movements of the steering wheel.
·Disengage the DIFF LOCK as soon as a
non slippery surface is reached.DRIVING ON ROUGH TRACKS
Although rough tracks can sometimes be
negotiated in normal drive, it is advisable to
lock the differential if excessive suspension
movement is likely to induce wheel spin.
On very rough tracks, engage LOW range to
enable a steady, low speed to be maintained,
without constant use of the brake pedal.
Always disengage the DIFF LOCK when
smooth, firm ground is reached. 
						

							Off-road driving
147 CLIMBING STEEP SLOPES
Engage the DIFF LOCK and ALWAYS follow
the fall line of the slope - travelling diagonally
could encourage the vehicle to slide broadside
down the slope.
Steep climbs will usually require the LOW gear
range. If the surface is loose or slippery, use
sufficient speed in the highest practical gear,
to take advantage of the vehicles momentum.
However, too high a speed over a bumpy
surface may result in a wheel lifting, causing
the vehicle to lose traction. In this case try a
slower approach. Traction can also be
improved, by easing off the accelerator just
before loss of forward motion.
If the vehicle is unable to complete a climb, do
not attempt to turn it around while on the
slope. Instead, adopt the following procedure
to reverse downhill to the foot of the slope:
1.Hold the vehicle stationary using both foot
and handbrakes.
2.Restart the engine if necessary.
3.Engage reverse gear LOW range.
4.Release the handbrake. Then, release the
foot brake and allow the vehicle to reverse
down the slope, using engine braking to
control the rate of descent.5.Unless it is necessary to stop the vehicle
in order to negotiate obstructions, DO NOT
apply the brake pedal during the descent.
6.If the vehicle begins to slide, accelerate
slightly to allow the tyres to regain grip.
When the vehicle is back on level ground, or
where traction can be regained, a faster
approach will probably enable the hill to be
climbed. However, DO NOT take unnecessary
risks; if the hill is too difficult to climb, find an
alternative route.
WARNING
The engine must be restarted before
reversing down the slope, as there will be
no servo assistance to the brakes unless the
engine is running.