Land Rover Defender Owners Handbook Rover

Starting & driving
58 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...

Starting & driving
59 Tdi engines
If a radiator blind is fitted, it must not obscure
the intercooler section otherwise engine
performance would be adversely affected. If in
doubt, contact a Land Rover dealer.
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. 

Catalytic converter
60
CATALYTIC CONVERTER- (if fitted)
The exhaust system on some models of the
Defender, incorporates a catalytic converter,
which converts poisonous exhaust emissions
from the engine into environmentally less
harmful gases, thereby reducing atmospheric
pollution.
WARNING
The catalytic converter can be easily
damaged through improper use, particularly
if the wrong fuel is used, or if an engine
misfire occurs. For this reason it is VERY
IMPORTANT that you heed the precautions
which...

Catalytic converter
61 Driving
·Provided the engine has reached its
normal operating temperature, if a misfire
is suspected or the vehicle lacks power
while driving, it may be driven SLOWLY
(at risk of damaging the catalyst) to a
Land Rover dealer for assistance.
·NEVER allow the vehicle to run out of fuel
(the resultant misfire could destroy the
catalyst).
·Engines burning excessive oil (blue smoke
from the exhaust) will progressively
reduce catalyst efficiency.
·On rough terrain, DO NOT allow the...

Fuel
62 PETROL ENGINES
USE ONLY RECOMMENDED FUEL
4 cylinder engines:
Use 90 RON minimum leaded or unleaded fuel
wherever possible.
V8 engines:
Use 91 - 93 leaded or unleaded fuel wherever
possible.
NOTE:For petrol engined vehicles fitted with
a catalytic converter, 95 RON minimum
unleaded fuel MUST be used - leaded fuel will
seriously damage the catalyst.
The RON value (octane rating) of petroleum
commonly available at garage forecourts will
vary in different countries. The RON value
quoted is the...

Fuel
63 Fuel filling
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....

Gearbox & transmission
64
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...

Gearbox & transmission
65
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...

Gearbox & transmission
66 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...

Gearbox & transmission
67
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....