Land Rover Defender 90 110 130 Workshop 1997 Rover Manual

Gearbox & transmission 
When to use the diff lock 
As a general rule, the differential should only 
be locked in order to drive off-road on loose 
and slippery surfaces. ALWAYS unlock the 
differential for normal road driving or as soon 
as a hard grippy surface is reached whether 
high or low gears are selected. 
NOTE: A valuable introduction to off-road 
driving, which includes many useful 
references to the transfer gearbox and diff 
lock, is included in the Off-road driving 
section of the handbook....

Brakes 
BRAKING SYSTEM 
As a safety precaution, the hydraulic braking 
system operates through dual circuits. If one 
circuit fails, the other will continue to function, 
but increased brake pedal travel and longer 
stopping distances will be experienced. 
Servo assistance 
The braking system is servo assisted, but 
ONLY when the engine is running. Without 
this assistance. greater braking effort is 
necessary to safely control the vehicle, 
resulting in longer stopping distances. Always 
observe the...

Brakes 
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, depress the button 
and pull the lever up. 
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...

Towing & load carrying 
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. 
The suspension is designed to cope with a 
heavy trailer load without upsetting the 
balance or feel of the vehicle. 
\~~~~~~~t\1~~11~~~~\1~~a1l~~lr~~~~~~~~11~~l1[~~~1~1~ri~~~~rrl~~r~1~ 
Only fit towing accessories that have been 
designed and approved by Land Rover. 
Ensure that the gross weight and maximum 
rear...

Towing & load carrying 
NOTE: Towing regulations vary from country to country. It is very important to ensure that 
national regulations governing towing weights and speed limits are observed (refer to the relevant 
national motoring organisation for information). The following maximum permissible towed 
weights refer to the vehicles design limitations and NOT to any specific territorial restriction. 
Maximum permissible towed weights On-road kg Off-road kg 
500 
1000 
Unbraked trailers...

Towing & load carrying 
Coupled braking systems 
In order to tow a trailer with a weight in 
excess of 3,500 kg, the vehicle must be 
adapted to operate a coupled brake system. If 
this adaptation is carried out, the vehicle 
identification number plate {VIN) must be 
changed to show the increased train weight. 
Revised VIN plates may be obtained from 
Land Rover; these will be issued subject to 
satisfactory proof that the vehicle has been 
fitted with an approved conversion. 
NOTE: Above 300 metres...

Emergency starting 
Starting an engine with a discharged battery 
The ONLY recommended methods of 
restarting a vehicle with a discharged battery 
are: 
• The use of a substitute battery fitted to the 
disabled vehicle. 
• The use of booster cables to connect the 
battery from a donor vehicle to the 
discharged battery. 
USING BOOSTER CABLES 
~iiii~~i!i!~i!i!~i!i!i!i!i!i!i!i~i!i!i!i!i!i!i!i!i!i~~!i!!BI~i!!~i~!i!~!i!!ii!~i!i!i!!i!!i!i!i!i!iii!i!i~!i!i!i!i!~!i 
Batteries emit explosive hydrogen gas -
keep...

Emergency starting 
8. Once both engines are running normally, 
allow them to idle for two minutes before 
switching off the engine of the donor 
vehicle and disconnecting the booster 
cables. DO NOT switch on any electrical 
circuits on the previously disabled vehicle 
until AFTER the booster cables have been 
removed. 
9. Disconnecting the booster cables must be 
an EXACT reversal of the connecting 
procedure, ie; disconnect the BLACK 
cable from the earthing point on the 
disabled vehicle FIRST. 
75  

Vehicle recovery 
VEHICLE RECOVERY 
If it is necessary to recover the vehicle by 
towing, always adhere to the following 
procedure: 
Towing the vehicle (on four-wheels) 
1. Set the main gearbox and transfer box in 
neutral. 
2. Ensure the differential lock is in the 
unlocked position. 
3. Tum the starter switch to the first position 
to unlock the steering and leave in this 
position while the vehicle is being towed. 
4. Secure the towing attachment to the 
vehicle. 
5. Release the handbrake. 
NOTE:...

-~ 
 
Vehicle recovery 
D0 57 
Transporter or trailer lashing 
Use the towing rings on the front and rear 
cross members as lashing points {see 
illustration). DO NOT secure lashing hooks or 
trailer fixings to any other part of the vehicle. 
77