Land Rover Defender Owners Handbook Aus Rover

							Off-road driving
171 DRIVING ON SOFT SURFACES & DRY SAND
The ideal technique for driving on soft ground
and dry sand, requires the vehicle to be kept
moving at all times - soft ground and sand
causes excessive drag on the wheels,
resulting in a rapid loss of motion once
driving momentum is lost. For this reason,
gear changing should be avoided.
·Engage the DIFF LOCK.
·Select the highest suitable gear and
REMAIN in that gear until a firm surface is
reached. It is generally advisable to use
LOW range gears, as these will enable you
to accelerate through worsening
conditions without the risk of being unable
to restart.
·Disengage the DIFF LOCK as soon as firm
ground is reached.Stopping the vehicle on soft ground, in sand
or on an incline
If you do stop your vehicle, remember:
Starting on an incline or in soft ground or
sand is almost impossible. Always park on a
firm level area, or with the vehicle facing
downhill.
To avoid wheel spin, select second or third
gear, and use the MINIMUM throttle
necessary to get the vehicle moving.
If forward motion is lost, avoid excessive use
of the throttle - this will cause wheel spin and
tend to dig the vehicle into the sand. Clear
sand from around the tyres and ensure that
the chassis and axles are not bearing on the
sand before again attempting to move.
If the wheels have sunk, use an air bag lifting
device or high lift jack to raise the vehicle, and
then build up sand under the wheels so that
the vehicle is again on level ground. If a
restart is still not possible, place sand mats or
ladders beneath the wheels. 
						

							Off-road driving
172 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
(ice, snow, mud, wet grass)
·With the DIFF LOCK engaged, select the
highest gear possible.
·Drive away using the MINIMUM possible
throttle opening.
·Drive slowly at all times, keeping braking
to a minimum and avoiding violent
movements of the steering wheel.
·Disengage the DIFF LOCK as soon as a
non slippery surface is reached.DRIVING ON ROUGH TRACKS
Although rough tracks can sometimes be
negotiated in normal drive, it is advisable to
lock the differential if excessive suspension
movement is likely to induce wheel spin.
On very rough tracks, engage LOW range to
enable a steady, low speed to be maintained
without constant use of the brake and clutch
pedals.
Always disengage the DIFF LOCK when
smooth, firm ground is reached. 
						

							Off-road driving
173 CLIMBING STEEP SLOPES
Engage the DIFF LOCK and ALWAYS follow
the fall line of the slope - travelling diagonally
could encourage the vehicle to slide broadside
down the slope.
Steep climbs will usually require the LOW gear
range. If the surface is loose or slippery, use
sufficient speed in the highest practical gear
to take advantage of the vehicles momentum.
However, too high a speed over a bumpy
surface may result in a wheel lifting, causing
the vehicle to lose traction. In this case try a
slower approach. Traction can also be
improved by easing off the accelerator just
before loss of forward motion.
If the vehicle is unable to complete a climb, do
not attempt to turn it around while on the
slope. Instead, adopt the following procedure
to reverse downhill to the foot of the slope:
1.Hold the vehicle stationary using both foot
and hand brakes.
2.Restart the engine if necessary.
3.Engage reverse gear LOW range.
4.Release the handbrake. Then release the
foot brake and clutch simultaneously, and
allow the vehicle to reverse down the
slope using engine braking to control the
rate of descent.5.Unless it is necessary to stop the vehicle
in order to negotiate obstructions, DO NOT
apply the brake or clutch pedal during the
descent.
6.If the vehicle begins to slide, accelerate
slightly to allow the tyres to regain grip.
When the vehicle is back on level ground or
where traction can be regained, a faster
approach will probably enable the hill to be
climbed. However, DO NOT take unnecessary
risks, if the hill is too difficult to climb, find an
alternative route.
WARNING
The engine must be restarted before
reversing down the slope, as there will be
no servo assistance to the brakes unless the
engine is running. 
						

							Off-road driving
174
DESCENDING STEEP SLOPES
A.Stop the vehicle at least a vehicle length
before the slope and engage first gear
LOW range with the differential locked.
B.Unless it is necessary to stop the vehicle
in order to negotiate obstructions,DO NOT
touch the brake or clutch pedals during
the descent - the engine will limit the
speed, keeping the vehicle under control
provided the front wheels are turning. If
the vehicle begins to slide, accelerate
gently to maintain directional stability - DO
NOT use the brakes or attempt to change
gear.C.Once level ground is reached, unlock the
differential and select a suitable gear for
the next stage of your journey.
WARNING
Failure to follow these instructions may
cause the vehicle to roll over. 
						

							Off-road driving
175 TRAVERSING A SLOPE
Before crossing a slope, ALWAYS observe the
following precautions:
·Check that the ground is firm and not
slippery.
·Check that the wheels on the downhill side
of the vehicle are not likely to drop into
any depressions in the ground and that the
uphill wheels will not run over rocks, tree
roots, or similar obstacles that could
suddenly increase the angle of tilt.
·Ensure that passenger weight is evenly
distributed, that all roof rack luggage is
removed and that all other luggage is
properly secured and stowed as low as
possible. Always remember; any sudden
movement of the load could cause the
vehicle to overturn.
·Rear seat passengers should sit on the
uphill side of the vehicle or, in extreme
conditions, should vacate the vehicle until
the sloping ground has been safely
negotiated.
NEGOTIATING A V SHAPED GULLY
Observe extreme caution! Steering up either
of the gully walls could cause the side of the
vehicle to be trapped against the opposite
gully wall.DRIVING IN EXISTING WHEEL TRACKS
As far as possible allow the vehicle to steer
itself along the bottom of the ruts. However,
always keep a light hold of the steering wheel
to prevent it from spinning free.
Particularly in wet conditions, if the steering
wheel is allowed to spin free, the vehicle may
appear to be driving straight ahead in the ruts,
but in actual fact (due to the lack of traction
caused by the wet ground) is unknowingly on
full right or left lock. Then, when level ground
is reached, or if a dry patch is encountered,
the wheels will find traction and cause the
vehicle to suddenly veer to left or right.
CROSSING A RIDGE
Approach at right angles so that both front
wheels and then both rear wheels cross the
ridge together - an angled approach could
cause traction to be lost through diagonally
opposite wheels lifting from the ground at the
same time.
CROSSING A DITCH
With the DIFF LOCK engaged, cross ditches at
an angle so that three wheels always maintain
contact with the ground (if approached head
on, both front wheels will drop into the ditch
together, possibly resulting in the chassis and
front bumper being trapped on opposite sides
of the ditch). 
						

							Off-road driving
176 WADING
WARNING
The maximum advisable wading depth is
0,5 metre (20 in.).
Severe electrical damage may occur if the
vehicle remains stationary for any length of
time when the water level is above the door
sills.
If the water is likely to exceed 0,5 metre (20
in.) while the vehicle is moving, the following
precautions MUST be observed:
·Fix a plastic sheet in front of the radiator
grille to prevent water from soaking the
engine and mud from blocking the
radiator.
·Fit a drain plug to the flywheel housing
and diesel engine timing cover - Tdi
engines only (see Owner maintenance).
·Ensure that the silt bed beneath the water
is firm enough to support the vehicles
weight and provide sufficient traction.
·Ensure that the engine air intake is clear of
the water.
·To prevent saturation of the electrical
system and air intake, avoid excessive
engine speed.
·With the DIFF LOCK engaged, select a low
gear and maintain sufficient throttle to
prevent the engine from stalling. This is
particularly important if the exhaust pipe is
under water.
·Drive slowly into the water and accelerate
to a speed which causes a bow wave to
form; then maintain that speed.
At all times, keep all the doors fully closed.After wading
·Drive the vehicle a short distance and
apply the footbrake to check that the
brakes are fully effective.
·DO NOT rely on the handbrake to hold the
vehicle stationary until the transmission
has thoroughly dried out; in the meantime,
leave the vehicle parked in gear.
·Remove the timing cover drain plug
(where fitted) and also any covering
material from the front of the radiator
grille.
·If the water was particularly muddy,
remove any blockages (mud and leaves)
from the radiator to reduce the risk of
overheating.
·If deep water is regularly negotiated, check
transmission oils for signs of water
contamination - contaminated oil can be
identified through its milky appearance.
In addition, check the air filter element for
water ingress, and replace if wet.
·Vehicles required to undergo frequent or
deep wading conditions will require more
frequent servicing. See Owner
maintenance and contact a Land Rover
dealer for advice.
·If salt water us frequently negotiated,
thoroughly wash the underbody
components and exposed body panels,
with fresh water.