Land Rover Defender 99my Owners Handbook Rover

							Fuel
58
FUEL CUT-OFF SWITCH
(Td5 models only)
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
59
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
60
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
61 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
62
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.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
63 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. 
						

							Brakes
64 BRAKING SYSTEM
The hydraulic braking system operates
through dual circuits; if one circuit should fail,
the other will continue to function. However,
in the event of a brake failure where only one
circuit is operational, the vehicle should only
be driven at slow speed to the nearest
qualified dealer. In these circumstances,
exercise extreme caution and be aware that
much greater pedal effort and longer stopping
distances will be required.
The braking system is servo assisted. This
means that if the engine stops running, all
servo assistance will be lost, requiring greater
pedal effort and resulting in longer stopping
distances.
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.
Brake warning light
If the warning light on the instrument panel
illuminates while driving, and the handbrake is
fully released, a fault with the braking system
is indicated. Check the brake fluid level; if the
light continues to illuminate, seek qualified
assistance before continuing.
WARNING
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
65 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 lock.
WARNING
DO 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). 
						

							Brakes
66 ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM
(if fitted)
The anti-lock braking system (ABS) prevents
the wheels from locking, thereby helping to
maintain steering control. No special driving
techniques or effort is required from the
driver.
Under normal braking (where sufficient road
surface friction exists to reliably bring the
vehicle to a halt, without the wheels locking),
the anti-lock braking system will not be
activated. However, if the force of your
braking should exceed the available adhesion
between the tyres and the road, causing one
or more wheels to lock, then the anti-lock
braking system will automatically come into
operation. This will be recognised by a rapid
pulsation felt through the brake pedal.
WARNING
The anti-lock braking system cannot
overcome the physical limitations of
stopping the vehicle in too short a distance,
cornering at high speed, or aquaplaning, i.e
where a layer of water prevents adequate
contact between the tyres and road surface.
The fact that the vehicle is fitted with
anti-lock braking, must never tempt the
driver into taking risks that could affect
his/her safety, or that of other road users.
Drivers still have a duty to drive within
normal safety margins, having due
consideration for the prevailing road
surface, weather and traffic conditions.Anti-lock braking in action
In an emergency situation, full braking effort
should ALWAYS be applied, even when the
road surface is slippery. The anti-lock braking
system constantly monitors the speed of each
wheel and varies braking pressure to each,
according to the amount of traction available,
thereby ensuring that the wheels do not lock.
Always remember, ABS is designed to
maintain steering control under heavy braking
conditions.
On soft surfaces such as powdery snow, sand
or gravel, braking distances may be greater
than those achievable on a vehicle without
anti-lock braking. This is because the action of
locked wheels on loose surfaces, is to build
up a wedge of material in front of the wheels,
which assists in bringing the vehicle to a halt.
However, even in these circumstances, the
anti-lock braking system will provide better
stability and steering control. 
						

							Brakes
67
Warning light
The anti-lock braking system
incorporates a monitoring
system, which checks that all the electrical
components are in working order, as soon as
the starter switch is turned to position II and
also at frequent intervals during your journey.
The warning light on the instrument panel is
an important part of this system. The warning
light should illuminate for approximately one
second when the starter switch is turned to
position II and then briefly extinguishes
before coming on again. If the light does not
extinguish and then illuminate again, a fault
has occurred with the ABS system and you
should consult your Land Rover dealer at the
earliest opportunity. The warning light will
remain illuminated until the vehicle is driven
above approximately 5 mph (8 km/h).
If the light remains on, or subsequently
illuminates while driving, a fault has been
detected by the self monitoring system and
full ABS control may not be available - consult
your dealer at the earliest opportunity.