Land Rover Defender 90 110 130 Workshop 1997 Rover Manual

							Starting & driving 
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. 
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 
the vehicle is fitted with a roof rack or if the 
sunroof is open. 
58 
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. 
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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.  
						

							Starting & driving 
Tdiengines 
If a radiator blind is fitted, it must not obscure 
the intercooler section otherwise engine 
performance would be adversely affected. If in 
doubt, contact a Land Rover dealer. 
Auxiliary equipment 
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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 differentia/Jock is engaged in an 
attempt to avoid damage, the vehicle will 
drive itself forward. 
59  
						

							Catalytic converter 
) 
~ ID 
0050 
CATALYTIC CONVERTER -(if fitted) 
The exhaust system on some models of the 
Defender, incorporates a catalytic converter, 
which converts poisonous exhaust emissions 
from the engine into environmentally less 
harmful gases, thereby reducing atmospheric 
pollution. 
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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 lhe precautions 
which follow: 
60 
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 qualifred assistance. 
• When starting a COLD engine, DO NOT 
drive if a misfire is suspected -seek 
qualified assistance.  
						

							Catalytic converter 
Driving 
• Provided the engine has reached its 
nonnal operating temperature, if a misfire 
is suspected or the vehicle lacks power 
while driving, it may be driven SLOWLY 
(at risk of damaging the catalyst) 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. 
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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). 
61 
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.  
						

							Fuel 
PETROL ENGINES 
USE ONLY RECOMMENDED FUEL 
4 cylinder engines: 
Use 90 RON minimum leaded or unleaded fuel 
wherever possible. 
VB engines: 
Use 91 -93 leaded or unleaded fuel wherever 
possible. 
NOTE: For petrol engined vehicles fitted with 
a catalytic converter, 95 RON minimum 
unleaded fuel MUST be used -leaded fuel will 
seriously damage the catalyst. 
The RON value (octane rating) of petroleum 
commonly available at garage forecourts will 
vary in different countries. The RON value 
quoted is the MINIMUM requirement and 
whilst this can be safely exceeded, no 
advantage in performance or fuel economy 
will be gained by using a higher octane fuel. 
If heavy engine knock is detected when using 
the recommended octane rated fuel, or if 
steady engine knocking is present while 
maintaining a steady speed on level roads, 
contact your dealer for advice. 
NOTE: An occasional, light, engine knock 
while accelerating or climbing hills is 
acceptable. 
62 
DIESEL ENGINES 
The quality of diesel fuel (Derv) can vary in 
different countries and only clean, good 
quality fuel should be used. It is important 
that the sulphur content of diesel fuel does 
not exceed 1 %; in Europe all supplies should 
be within this limit, but in other parts of the 
world, you should check with your supplier. 
Ensure the fuel filter element is changed and 
the fuel sedimenter drained, at the 
recommended service intervals. 
If good quality diesel fuel is unavailable and it 
is necessary to use poor quality fuel, it may be 
necessary to drain the fuel sedimenter 
regularly. 
NOTE: The use of paraffin (kerosene) as a 
diesel fuel additive is illegal in the UK. 
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On both petrol and diesel engine vehicles, if 
the fuel tank is  accidentally filled with the 
wrong fuel, it is ESSENTIAL that you contact 
your  dealer BEFORE attempting to start the 
engine!  
						

							Fuel 
Fuel filling 
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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 tum. DO NOT fully 
remove the cap until pressure has been 
released. 
Filling station pumps are equipped with 
automatic cut-off sensing to avoid fuel 
spillage -only fill the tank until the filler noule 
automatically shuts off. DO NOT attempt to fill 
the tank beyond this point or spillage could 
result due to expansion of the fuel. 
DO NOT fully fl/1 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. 
63 
Empty fuel tank 
DO NOT RUN THE FUEL TANK DRYr 
In the case of vehicles equipped with a 
catalytic converter, running the fuel tank dry 
could create an engine misfire capable of 
damaging the catalytic converter. 
In the case of diesel models, qualified 
assistance may be required to prime the fuel 
system before the engine can be restarted. 
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 
MAIN GEARBOX 
Your vehicle features a five speed main 
gearbox and a two speed transfer box. In 
addition, a centre differential in the transfer 
box distributes the drive to the front and rear 
axles, providing permanent four wheel drive. 
By using the main gearbox in cof!junction with 
the transfer gears, ten forward and two 
reverse speeds are available. 
The gear positions for the main gearbox are 
shown on the gear lever knob. Note that when 
the gearbox is in neutral, the gear lever is 
spring-loaded to automatically align between 
third and fourth gear positions. 
64 
Clutch 
Take care NOT to use the clutch pedal as a 
foot rest. To prevent unnecessary wear, 
always keep the left foot well clear of the 
clutch pedal, except when changing gear. 
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Do NOT select reverse gear unless the 
vehicle is stationary.  
						

							Gearbox & transmission 
D~FF ~ 
LOCK 
H 
0053 
TRANSFER GEARBOX 
The second gear lever is used to select either 
the high or low range of gears in the transfer 
gearbox and, in addition, also controls the 
centre differential {known as the DIFF LOCK). 
High range (H) 
Use high range for all normal road driving and 
also for off-road driving across dry, level 
terrain. 
Low range (L) 
Use low range gears when moving off from 
rest when towing a heavy load, or in any 
situation where low speed manoeuvring is 
necessary, such as reversing a trailer or 
negotiating a boulder strewn river bed; also 
use for more extreme off-road conditions 
where progress in high range cannot be 
maintained. 
65 
Neutral (N) 
With the transfer lever in neutral, drive cannot 
be transmitted to the road wheels, regardless 
of the position of the main gear lever. Use 
transfer neutral when being towed or when 
using winching or power take off facilities. 
Diff lock centre differential 
Use the ·unlocked position for all normal 
driving, and use the DIFF-LOCK position to 
improve traction in extreme conditions where 
wheel grip could be lost, such as: wet grass, 
mud, sand, ice or snow. Return to the 
unlocked position as soon as dry, firm, 
ground is reached. 
DO NOT use the diff lock unnecessarily!  
						

							Gearbox & transmission 
USING THE TRANSFER GEARBOX 
With the vehicle stationary and the engine 
running, depress the clutch and then move 
the lever fully forward (or backwards) in TWO 
distinct but positive moves-high to 
neutral .... neutral to low (or vice versa). 
If there is resistance to the gear engaging, do 
not force the lever. Instead, with the main 
lever in gear, release the clutch momentarily 
and then try again. 
Changing from low to high on the move: 
Changing from L {low) to H (high) can be 
achieved without stopping the vehicle, as 
follows: 
1. Apply slight backward pressure to the 
transfer gear lever in preparation for 
changing. 
2. Then, in three simultaneous moves, 
depress the clutch, release the accelerator 
and pull the transfer lever into neutral. 
3. Release the clutch pedal for approximately 
3 seconds before depressing it again and 
moving the transfer lever firmly into the 
high position. 
4. Finally, select a suitable main gear, release 
the clutch and continue driving in the 
normal way. 
NOTE: After a little practice, this operation 
can be carried out smoothly and quickly by 
using firm, positive moves. 
66  
						

							Gearbox & transmission 
D0 54 A 
THE DIFFERENTIAL LOCK 
Unlike many four wheel drive vehicles, all 
Land Rover vehicles have permanent four 
wheel drive. This is achieved by the inclusion 
of a lockable differential between the front and 
rear drive shafts. With the differential locked, 
the drive shafts to front and rear axles are (in 
effect) joined together, causing both to rotate 
at the same speed. This is a normal feature 
with all four wheel drive vehicles and 
enhances traction on difficult off-road 
surfaces. However, with the differential 
unlocked the different running requirements 
of the two axles can be accommodated, 
thereby enabling Land Rover vehicles to 
operate permanently in four wheel drive for 
both road AND off-road use. 
67 
Selecting diff lock 
The diff lock can be engaged or disengaged 
either with the vehicle stationary, or when 
driving at any road speed. However, with the 
vehicle in motion it is ESSENTIAL to be 
travelling on firm ground, in a straight line, 
and without wheel slip. 
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DO NOT engage the diff lock if one or more 
wheels are slipping  -this could damage the 
transmission. If wheels are slipping, ease 
off the accelerator before engaging the diff 
lock. 
DO NOT engage the diff lock from the 
transfer neutral position. 
To lock the differential: 
Briefly ease the throttle and move the transfer 
gear lever to the left-from either H (high) or 
L {low) position (the warning light on the 
instrument panel will illuminate). 
To unlock the differential: 
Move the transfer gear lever to the right  -to 
either H (high) or L {low) position as 
required; when the diff lock disengages the 
warning light will extinguish.