Land Rover Defender 50th Owners Handbook Rover

							Starting & driving
48 RUNNING-IN
Proper running-in will have a direct bearing on
the reliability and smooth running of your
vehicle throughout its life.
In particular, the engine, gearbox, brakes and
tyres need time to bed-in and adjust to the
demands of everyday motoring. It is therefore
essential to drive with consideration for the
running-in process for at least the first 500
miles (800 km) and observe the following
advice:
·LIMIT maximum speed to 60 mph (95
km/h). Initially, drive the vehicle on a light
throttle and only increase engine speeds
once the running-in distance has been
completed.
·DO NOT operate at full throttle or allow the
engine to labour in any gear.
·AVOID fast acceleration and heavy braking
except in emergencies.EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Land Rover vehicles are fitted with emission
and evaporative control equipment necessary
to meet a number of territorial requirements.
In many countries, it is against the law for
vehicle owners to modify or tamper with
emission control equipment, or to sanction
the unauthorised replacement or modification
of this equipment by a repair shop. 
						

							Starting & driving
49 FUEL ECONOMY
Fuel consumption is influenced by two major
factors:
·How your vehicle is maintained.
·How you drive your vehicle.
To obtain optimum fuel economy, it is
essential that your vehicle is maintained in
accordance with the manufacturers service
schedule.
Items such as the condition of the air cleaner
element, tyre pressures and wheel alignment
can have a significant effect on fuel
consumption. But above all, the way in which
you drive is most important. The following
hints may help you to obtain even better value
from your motoring:
·Avoid unnecessary, short, start-stop
journeys.
·Avoid fast starts by accelerating gently and
smoothly from rest.
·Do not drive in the lower gears longer than
necessary.
·Decelerate gently and avoid sudden and
heavy braking.
·Anticipate obstructions and adjust your
speed accordingly well in advance.
DRIVE GENTLY - SAVE FUEL!IMPORTANT DRIVING INFORMATION
Instruments & warning lights
Before driving, it is important to fully
understand the function of the instruments
and warning lights described in section 2.
NOTE:Red warning lights are of particular
importance, illumination indicates that a fault
exists. If a red light illuminates, always stop
the vehicle and seek qualified assistance
before continuing.
Vehicle stability
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 at
inappropriate speeds or on unstable surfaces.
WARNING
Modifications to the suspension or steering
systems could seriously affect the handling
characteristics of the vehicle and are NOT
recommended. 
						

							Starting & driving
50 Vehicle height
The overall height of your vehicle exceeds that
of ordinary passenger cars. Always be aware
of the height of your vehicle and check the
available headroom, before driving through
low entrances. This is particularly important if
a vehicle is fitted with a roof rack, or if the
sunroof (if fitted) is open.
Auxiliary equipment
WARNING
DO NOT use auxiliary equipment such as
roller generators, that are driven by one
wheel of the vehicle, as they could cause
failure of the gearbox differential. If the
gearbox differential lock is engaged in an
attempt to avoid damage, the vehicle will
drive itself forward.Power assisted steering
Power assistance is progressively applied, the
more the steering wheel is turned. For
example; where manual steering effort would
normally be greatest (at slow speeds on
maximum lock), power assistance is greatest.
Similarly, where only minimal steering effort
would normally be required (at high speed
with the wheels straight ahead), then power
assistance is also minimal, thus enabling the
driver to benefit from apparently consistent
steering effort at all times.
WARNING
Under no circumstances must the steering
wheel be held on full lock for more than
thirty seconds in one minute, otherwise the
steering assembly may be damaged.
NOTE:Power assistance is dependent on the
engine running. If the engine is not running,
greater effort will be required to steer the
vehicle. 
						

							Catalytic converter
51
CATALYTIC CONVERTER
The exhaust system incorporates a catalytic
converter, which converts emissions from the
engine, into environmentally less harmful
gases - thereby reducing atmospheric
pollution.WARNING
The catalytic converter can be easily
damaged through improper use, particularly
if the wrong fuel is used, or if an engine
misfire occurs. For this reason, it is VERY
IMPORTANT that you heed the precautions
which follow: 
						

							Catalytic converter
52 Fuel
·Use ONLY fuel recommended for your
vehicle.
Starting the engine
·DO NOT continue operating the starter if
the engine fails to start after a few
attempts (unburnt fuel may be drawn into
the exhaust system, thereby poisoning the
catalyst) - seek qualified assistance.
·When starting a COLD engine, DO NOT
drive if a misfire is suspected - seek
qualified assistance.
Driving
·Provided the engine has reached its
normal operating temperature, if a misfire
is suspected or the vehicle lacks power
while driving, it may be driven SLOWLY
(at risk of catalyst damage) to a Land
Rover dealer for assistance.
·NEVER allow the vehicle to run out of fuel
(the resultant misfire could destroy the
catalyst).
·Engines burning excessive oil (blue smoke
from the exhaust) will progressively
reduce catalyst efficiency.
·On rough terrain, DO NOT allow the
underside of the vehicle to be subjected to
heavy impacts which could damage the
catalytic converter.
·DO NOT overload or excessively rev the
engine.
WARNING
Exhaust system temperatures can be
extremely high - DO NOT park on ground
where combustible materials, such as dry
grass or leaves, could come into contact
with the exhaust system (in dry weather a
fire could result).
Switching off
·DO NOT switch off the engine while a
forward or reverse gear is selected or
whilst the vehicle is in motion.
Vehicle maintenance
·Any engine misfire, loss of engine
performance or engine run-on, could
seriously damage the catalytic converter.
For this reason, it is vital that unqualified
persons do not tamper with the engine,
and that regular systematic maintenance is
carried out by a Land Rover dealer.
·DO NOT run the engine with a spark plug
or H.T. lead removed, or use any device
that requires an insert into a spark plug. 
						

							Fuel
53 USE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL
Octane requirements
ALways use UNLEADED PETROL with a rating
of 95 RON minimum to EN228 specification.
Using unleaded fuel with an octane rating
lower than that recommended, can cause
persistent, heavy engine knock (a metallic
rapping sound). If severe, this can lead to
engine damage.
If heavy engine knock is detected when using
the recommended octane rated fuel, or if a
steady engine knocking is present while
maintaining a steady speed on level roads,
contact your dealer for advice as soon as
possible. Failure to take measures to eliminate
either condition, constitutes misuse of the
vehicle!
NOTE:An occasional light engine knock,
experienced ONLY for short periods while
accelerating or climbing hills, is acceptable.
WARNING
DO NOT use leaded fuel! Your engine is
designed to use unleaded fuel ONLY.
Unleaded fuel is essential for proper
operation of the emission control system. It
also reduces spark plug fouling, exhaust
system corrosion and engine oil
deterioration.
Even a very small quantity of leaded fuel, will
damage your vehicles emission control
system and will damage the oxygen sensors
in the fuel injection system and also seriously
damage the catalyst in the catalytic converter. 
						

							Fuel
54 Fuel filling
Unlock the fuel filler cap using the small metal
key marked FUEL.
WARNING
To avoid any sudden discharge of fuel
caused by excessive air pressure, the cap is
designed to allow the fuel tank to vent
during the first half turn. DO NOT fully
remove the cap until pressure has been
released.
Unless absolutely necessary, the fuel filler
cap should not be removed unless the
vehicle is standing on level ground.
DO NOT OVERFILL!
Most filling station pumps are equipped with
automatic cut-off sensing to avoid fuel
spillage - only fill the tank until the filler nozzle
automatically shuts off. DO NOT attempt to fill
the tank beyond this point, or spillage could
result due to expansion of the fuel.
WARNING
DO NOT fully fill the tank if the vehicle is to
be parked on a slope, in direct sunlight or
high ambient temperature - expansion of the
fuel could cause spillage.Empty fuel tank
DO NOT RUN THE FUEL TANK DRY!
Running the fuel tank dry could create an
engine misfire capable of damaging the
catalytic converter.
SAFETY ON THE FORECOURT
Petroleum gases are highly inflammable
and in confined spaces are also explosive.
Always take sensible precautions when
refuelling:
·Switch off the engine.
·DO NOT smoke or use a naked flame
or light.
·Take care not to spill fuel.
·DO NOT overfill the tank. 
						

							Gearbox & transmission
55
Left hand steering illustrated
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The automatic transmission features a four
speed main gearbox with a torque converter
and a two speed transfer box. A centre
differential in the transfer box distributes
power to both front and rear axles, providing
permanent four wheel drive. Using the main
gearbox in conjunction with the transfer
gearing, produces eight forward and two
reverse speeds.Main selector lever
A spring loaded catch, built into the handle of
the gear selector lever, restricts movement of
the lever, thereby preventing inadvertent gear
selection. Press and hold the button (arrowed
in illustration) to release the catch whilst
moving the lever to the required position.
NOTE:Gear selection between D and 3 may
be made without holding in the button. 
						

							Gearbox & transmission
56 Automatic selector lever positions
P (Park)
In this position the transmission is locked
to prevent the vehicle from rolling away.
Select ONLY with the vehicle stationary
and the handbrake on.
R (Reverse)
Select ONLY when the vehicle is
stationary.
N (Neutral)
Use this position when the vehicle is
stationary and the engine is to idle for a
prolonged period (eg. at traffic lights).
D (Drive)
Select drive for all your normal driving on
good road surfaces; fully automatic gear
changing occurs on all forward gears
according to vehicle speed and accelerator
position.
3 (1st, 2nd and 3rd gears)
Automatic gear changing is limited to first,
second and third gears only. Use in
congested traffic conditions and for town
driving.2 (1st and 2nd gears)
Automatic gear changing is limited to first
and second ratios only. Use when driving
up steep gradients and for negotiating
very narrow twisting roads. This position
also provides moderate engine braking for
descending steep slopes.
NOTE:If either 2 or 1 is selected from D
or 3 when the vehicle is travelling at high
speed, third gear will immediately engage.
Progressive deceleration will then cause
downshifts into second then first gear at the
appropriate road speeds.
1 (1st gear only)
Use on very severe gradients, particularly
when towing, and when maximum engine
braking is required.
WARNING
When parked, always leave the vehicle with
the gear selector in P and the handbrake
applied. 
						

							Gearbox & transmission
57 Starting and driving
NOTE:The engine will not start unless P or
N is selected in the main gearbox.
Drivers unfamiliar with the performance
characteristics of automatic transmission
should thoroughly familiarise themselves with
the following instructions before driving.
·Before starting the engine, ensure that
both foot and handbrake are applied.
·After starting the engine, KEEP BOTH
BRAKES APPLIED before and whilst
moving the selector lever to the required
drive position.
·Keep the brakes applied until you are
ready to move - remember, once a drive
gear is selected, an automatic will tend to
creep forward (or backward).
·Never rev the engine while selecting a
forward or reverse drive gear, or while the
vehicle is stationary with a drive gear
selected - remember, an automatic will
move immediately when the accelerator
pedal is pressed.Gear change speeds
With D selected, the road speed at which
gear changes take place will vary according to
the position of the accelerator. Minimum
acceleration will result in low road speed gear
changes, while larger throttle openings will
cause the main gearbox to delay gear changes
until faster road speeds have been reached
(thereby increasing acceleration).
With practice, gear changes can be made to
occur at a wide range of different road speeds,
depending on accelerator pedal pressure.
On long inclines, an automatic gearbox will
sometimes change back and forth between
gears. This occurs because the transmission
does not include a ratio that is precisely right
for the particular incline and vehicle loading
circumstances. Excessive gear changing is
wasteful of fuel and results in a loss of
momentum. It can be prevented by selecting
the 3 or 2 positions which limit the gearbox
to lower ratios.
Kick-down
To provide rapid acceleration for overtaking,
kick the accelerator pedal to the full extent of
its travel in a single, quick movement (known
as kick-down). Up to a certain speed, this will
cause an immediate downshift into the lowest
appropriate gear, followed by rapid
acceleration. Once the pedal is relaxed, normal
gear change speeds will resume (dependent
on road speed and accelerator pedal position).