Land Rover Defender Owners Handbook Rover

178 

Off-road driving
179
WARNING
Off-road driving can be hazardous!
·DO NOT take unnecessary risks.
·Be prepared for emergencies at all
times.
·Familiarise yourself with the
recommended driving techniques in
order to minimise risks to yourself, your
vehicle AND your passengers.
·Always use a seat belt for personal
protection in all off-road driving
conditions.
·DO NOT drive if the fuel level is low -
undulating ground and steep inclines
could cause fuel starvation to the engine
and consequent damage to the...

Off-road driving
180 Transfer gears
High range gears should be used whenever
possible - only change to low range when
ground conditions become very difficult. The
DIFF LOCK should be engaged whenever there
is a risk of losing wheel grip, and disengaged
as soon as firm, level, non-slippery ground is
reached.
Braking
As far as possible, vehicle speed should be
controlled through correct gear selection.
Application of the brake pedal should be kept
to an absolute minimum. Harsh braking on
wet, muddy or...

Off-road driving
181 Ground clearance
Dont forget to allow for ground clearance
beneath the chassis, axles, and under the
front and rear bumpers. Note that the axle
differentials are situated BELOW the chassis
and are positioned slightly to the RIGHT of the
centre of the vehicle. Note also that there are
other parts of the vehicle which may come
into contact with the ground; take care not to
ground the vehicle.
Ground clearance is particularly important at
the bottom of steep a slope, or where wheel
ruts...

Off-road driving
182 IMPORTANT INFORMATION
After driving off-road
Before rejoining the public highway, or
driving at speeds above 40 km/h (25
mph), consideration should be given to
the following:
·Wheels and tyres must be cleaned of
mud and inspected for damage -
ensure there are no lumps or bulges
in the tyres or exposure of the ply or
cord structure.
·Brake discs and calipers should be
examined and any stones or grit that
may affect braking efficiency
removed.
Servicing requirements
Vehicles operating...

Off-road driving
183 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...

Off-road driving
184 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...

Off-road driving
185 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...

Off-road driving
186
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...

Off-road driving
187 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...