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. 
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If the vehicle is driven on normal road 
surfaces with the differentia/locked, the 
steering will feel  stiff, excessive tyre wear 
will occur and the transmission will be 
wound up. This places excessive strain on 
the transmission. 
Diff lock warning light 
The amber warning light on the instrument 
panel illuminates when the diff lock is actually 
engaged -rather than when it has been 
selected. Similarly it will only extinguish when 
the diff lock is actually disengaged. This 
accounts for a slight delay between diff lock 
deselection and the warning light 
extinguishing which is quite normal. 
68 
IMPORTANT INFORMATION 
Transmission wind up 
If the warning light is obviously reluctant 
to extinguish after the diff lock has been 
deselected, some transmission wind up 
may be present. 
Reversing the vehicle for a short distance 
and then going forward will usually 
unwind the transmission and extinguish 
the light and the vehicle can then be 
driven as normal. However, if after two or 
three attempts to ·unwind the 
transmission the light remains on, 
consult your dealer AS SOON AS 
POSSIBLE.  
						

							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 following precautions: 
• NEVER allow the vehicle to freewheel with 
the engine turned off. 
• ALWAYS take particular care when being 
towed with the engine turned off. 
• If the engine should stop for any reason 
while the vehicle is in motion, bring the 
vehicle to a halt as quickly as traffic 
conditions safely allow, and DO NOT pump 
the brake pedal as the braking system may 
lose any remaining assistance available. 
Brake pads 
Brake pads require a period of bedding in. You 
should avoid heavy braking, except in 
emergencies, for at least the first 800 km (500 
miles). 
Remember that regular servicing is vital to 
ensure that the brake pads are examined for 
wear and changed periodically to ensure long 
term safety and optimum performance. 
69 
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DO NOT rest  your foot on the brake pedal 
while  travelling, 
as this may overheat the 
brakes, reduce their efficiency and cause 
excessive wear. 
NEVER move a vehicle without the engine 
running because braking assistance will not 
be available. The pedal brakes will  still 
function, but more pressure will be 
required. 
ALWAYS take particular care when being 
towed with the engine turned off. 
If the brake warning light should illuminate 
while 
the vehicle is in motion, bring the 
vehicle to a  halt as quickly as traffic 
conditions and safety permit and seek 
qualified assistance before continuing-DO 
NOT pump the brake pedal. If the brake 
pedal is pumped, the braking system may 
lose any remaining assistance available. 
Wet conditions 
Driving through water or even very heavy rain 
may adversely affect braking efficiency. 
Always dry the braking surfaces by 
intermittent light application of the brakes. 
first ensuring that you are at a safe distance 
from other road users.  
						

							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 a 
low forward gear when facing uphill and in 
reverse gear when facing downhill. For extra 
security on steep slopes, move the transfer 
lever into low range or engage the diff Jock. 
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00 NOT apply the handbrake while the 
vehicle is in motion as this could result in 
loss of vehicle control and damage to the 
transmission. 
DO NOT rely on the handbrake to operate 
effectively if the vehicle has been subjected 
to immersion in mud and water (see 
Off-road driving). 
70  
						

							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. 
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Only fit towing accessories that have been 
designed and approved by Land Rover. 
Ensure that the gross weight and maximum 
rear axle  weight  are not exceeded. 
When preparing your vehicle for towing, 
always pay careful attention to the trailer 
manufacturers recommendations and the 
following guidelines. 
• Ensure that the towing vehicle tyre 
pressures are correct and that the trailer 
tyre pressures are as recommended by the 
trailer manufacturer. 
• With the trailer and vehicle unladen. 
balance the combination so that the trailer 
draw-bar and the hitch point on the vehicle 
are at the same height. Adjust the height 
of the hitch point if necessary. 
• Check the operation of trailer brakes and 
lights. 
71 
• For maximum stability, ensure that loads 
are properly secured and unable to shift 
position during transit. Also, position 
loads so that most of the weight is placed 
close to the floor and, where possible, 
immediately above or close to the trailer 
axle{s). 
• After loading the trailer. check that the 
weight on the hitch point (this is called the 
draw-bar loading weight, or nose weight), 
is in accordance with the manufacturers 
recommendations. 
• When calculating the laden weight of the 
trailer, remember to include the weight of 
the trailer PLUS THE LOAD. 
• Where the load weight can be divided 
between trailer and tow vehicle, loading 
more weight into the vehicle will generally 
improve the stability of the combination. 
• A smooth start will be achieved with 
trailers over 2000 kg ( 4 400 lb) by moving 
off in LOW range, then changing to HIGH 
range while on the move (see Transfer 
gearbox).  
						

							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 ........................................................................\
 750 
Trailers with overrun brakes ............... ........ ... ....... ......... ... .. ... .... 3500 
4 wheel trailers with coupled brakes 
Petrol and Diesel (turbo) ........................................................... 4000 1000 
1000 Diesel (non-turbo) ..................................................................... 3500 
NOSE WEIGHT 
The recommended trailer nose weight limit is 
7 5 kg (165 I b). The nose weight plus the 
combined weight of the vehicles load carrying 
area and rear seat passengers, must never 
exceed the maximum rear axle load or the 
gross vehicle weight (as shown in General 
data). 
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DO NOT carry unsecured equipment, tools or 
luggage which could move and cause 
personal if!iury in the event of an accident or 
emergency manoeuvre, either on or off 
road. 
72 
VEHICLE WEIGHTS 
When loading a vehicle to its maximum (gross 
vehicle weight), consideration must be taken 
of the unladen vehicle weight and the 
distribution of the load to ensure that axle 
loadings do not exceed the permitted 
maximum values. 
It is your responsibility to limit the vehicle 
load in such a way that neither the maximum 
axle loads nor the gross vehicle weight are 
exceeded {see General data).  
						

							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 {7,000 feet) the 
effects of altitude can adversely affect engine 
performance and also cause overheating. 
Trailer socket 
When the engine is running, power 
consumption from trailer socket must NOT 
exceed 5 amps. 
ROOF RACK 
ALWAYS use an approved roof rack and 
follow the manufacturers fitting instructions 
carefully. A full list of all available accessories 
is available from your Land Rover dealer. 
73 
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ALWAYS consult  your dealer  for advice 
regarding the approval, suitability, 
installation  and use of any parts or 
accessories before fitting. 
IMPORTANT INFORMATION 
• The MAXIMUM roof rack load is 75 
kg. 
• A loaded roof rack can reduce the 
stability of the vehicle, particularly 
when cornering and encountering 
cross winds. 
• All loads should be evenly 
distributed, and secured within the 
periphery of the rack. 
• Always secure the load to the side 
rails, not just to the cross rails. 
• Driving off-road with a loaded roof 
rack is not recommended. If it is 
necessary to stow luggage on the 
roof rack while driving off-road, all 
loads MUST be removed before 
traversing side slopes. 
• Only fit roof racks that have been 
designed for your vehicle. If in 
doubt, consult your dealer.  
						

							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 
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Batteries emit explosive hydrogen gas -
keep sparlcs and naked lights away from the 
battery compartment. 
Make sure BOTH balleries are of the same 
voltage (12 volts), and that the booster 
cables have insulated clamps and are 
approved for use with 12 volt balleries. 
DO NOT connect positive (+) terminals to 
negative (-) terminals, and ensure booster 
cables are kept away from any moving parts 
in the engine compartment. 
Take care when working near rotating parts 
of the engine. 
74 
Always adopt the following procedure when 
using booster cables:. 
1. If a donor vehicle is to be used, both 
vehicles should be parked with their 
battery locations adjacent to each other. 
Ensure that the two vehicles do not touch. 
2. Apply the handbrakes and ensure that the 
transmission of both vehicles is set in 
neutral (P or Park for donor vehicles with 
automatic transmission). 
3. Tum off the starter switch and ALL 
electrical equipment of BOTH vehicles. 
4. Connect the RED booster cable between 
the positive(+) terminal of the donor 
battery and the positive ( +) terminal of the 
discharged battery. 
5. Connect the BLACK booster cable from the 
negative (-) terminal of the donor battery 
to a good earthing point on the disabled 
vehicle (eg. an engine mounting or other 
unpainted metal surface) -at least 0.5m 
away from the battery and well away from 
fuel and brake lines. For safety reasons, 
DO NOT connect this cable to the 
negative terminal of the discharged 
battery. 
6. Check that the booster cables are ciP.ar of 
any moving parts in either engine, then 
start the engine of the donor vehicle and 
allow it to idle for a few minutes. 
7. Now start the vehicle with the discharged 
battery.  
						

							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: If, due to an accident or electrical fault 
it is not considered safe to turn the starter 
switch, the battery must be disconnected. 
IMPORTANT INFORMATION 
DO NOT attempt to tow the vehicle unless 
the starter switch is turned to position I 
(to unlock the steering). 
• DO NOT attempt to remove the 
starter key or tum the switch to 
position ·o· while the vehicle is in 
motion. 
• Without the engine running, the 
brake servo and power steering 
pump cannot provide assistance. 
Greater brake pedal and steering 
effort are therefore necessary to 
safely control the vehicle. 
76 
Suspended tow 
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Your vehicle has permanent four wheel 
drive -the propeller shaft MUST be removed 
from the axle to be trailed. 
If the front axle is to be trailed ALWAYS 
adhere to the following precautions: 
• Ensure the four bolts securing the front 
propeller shaft to the gearbox are tightly 
secured with the appropriate nuts after 
disconnecting the propeller shaft -
otherwise serious damage to the gearbox 
may occur. 
• Unlock the steering. 
• Secure the steering wheel and/or linkage 
in the straight ahead position -the 
steering lock MUST NOT be used for this 
purpose. 
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The propeller shaft MUST only be 
reconnected by a qualified Land Rover 
engineer. Contact your Land Rover dealer 
for  further 
information.  
						

							-~ 
 
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