Land Rover Defender 99my Owners Handbook Aus Rover

							Starting & driving
38 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. In such
cases, the vehicle owner and the repairer may
both be liable for legal penalties.
It is important to remember that all Land
Rover dealers are properly equipped to
perform repairs and to maintain the emission
control system on your vehicle.IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Vehicle stability
Your vehicle has a higher ground
clearance and, hence, a higher centre of
gravity than ordinary passenger cars, to
enable the vehicle to perform in a wide
variety of different off-road applications.
An advantage of the higher ground
clearance is a better view of the road,
allowing the driver to more easily
anticipate problems. Inexperienced
drivers should take additional care,
remembering that the Defender is not
designed for cornering at the same speed
as conventional passenger cars, any more
than a low slung sports car is designed to
perform satisfactorily in off-road
conditions. As with other vehicles of this
type, failure to operate the Defender
correctly may result in loss of control or
even vehicle rollover.
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 available headroom before driving
through low entrances. This is particularly
important if the vehicle is fitted with a
roof rack or if a sunroof is open. 
						

							Starting & driving
39 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 800
km (500 miles) and observe the following
advice:
·LIMIT maximum speed to 80 km/h (50
mph). 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.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 ignition timing, 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! 
						

							Starting & driving
40 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.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.
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. 
						

							Fuel
41 USE ONLY RECOMMENDED FUEL
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 0.3%; 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 have the fuel filter/sedimenter
drained regularly.
WARNING
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!
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.Fuel filling
To unlock the fuel cap;
1.Insert the key and turn it 90°clockwise.
2.Turn the key back to the vertical and
remove.
The cap should be unscrewed gradually (see
Warning below).
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.
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.
When replacing the fuel cap, turn it clockwise
until the cap clicks at least three times - this
locks the cap (the key is not needed). 
						

							Fuel
42 Empty fuel tank
DO NOT RUN THE FUEL TANK DRY!
If the fuel tank is accidentally run dry, carry
out the following procedure:
1.Turn off the starter switch and wait for 15
seconds.
2.Turn the starter key to position II and
wait for 30 seconds.
3.Turn off the starter switch.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 six times.
4.Fully depress the accelerator pedal.
5.Keeping the pedal depressed, start
cranking the engine.
6.Continue cranking the engine and as soon
as the engine is running on all cylinders,
ease the accelerator pedal back to
approximately halfway through its travel,
and release the starter key. The engine
should now be running.
7.If the engine fails to start, repeat the
process.
During the above procedure, the fuel pump
will be heard to operate (priming the engine).
This noise is not a cause for concern.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The engine must NOT be cranked for
more than 20 seconds in any one period.
If the above procedure is carried out on a
vehicle that has NOT run out of fuel, it will
result in the engine flooding with fuel and
failing to start.
FUEL CUT-OFF SWITCH
The fuel cut-off switch is a safety device
which, in the event of a collision or sudden
impact, automatically cuts off the fuel supply
to the engine.
The switch is located on the engine
compartment bulkhead. After an impact, the
switch must be reset by pressing the rubber
top (arrowed in illustration) before the engine
can be restarted.
WARNING
ALWAYS check for fuel leaks before
resetting the switch! 
						

							Gearbox & transmission
43
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 conjunction 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.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.
WARNING
Do NOT select reverse gear unless the
vehicle is stationary. 
						

							Gearbox & transmission
44
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.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
45 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. 
						

							Gearbox & transmission
46
THE DIFFERENTIAL LOCK
Unlike many four wheel drive vehicles, all
Land Rover products 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.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.
WARNING
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. 
						

							Gearbox & transmission
47 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.
WARNING
If the vehicle is driven on normal road
surfaces with the differential 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.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.