Land Rover Defender Owners Handbook Rover

Gearbox & transmission
68 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...

Brakes
69 BRAKING SYSTEM
As a safety precaution, the hydraulic braking
system operates through dual circuits. If one
circuit fails, the other will continue to function,
but increased brake pedal travel and longer
stopping distances will be experienced.
Servo assistance
The braking system is servo assisted, but
ONLY when the engine is running. Without
this assistance, greater braking effort is
necessary to safely control the vehicle,
resulting in longer stopping distances. Always
observe the following...

Brakes
70 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...

Towing & load carrying
71 TOWING
The torque ranges of Land Rover engines
allow maximum-weight loads to be pulled
smoothly from standstill, and reduce gear
changing on hills or rough terrain.
The suspension is designed to cope with a
heavy trailer load without upsetting the
balance or feel of the vehicle.
WARNING
Only fit towing accessories that have been
designed and approved by Land Rover.
Ensure that the gross weight and maximum
rear axle weight are not exceeded.
When preparing your vehicle for...

Towing & load carrying
72
NOTE:Towing regulations vary from country to country. It is very important to ensure that
national regulations governing towing weights and speed limits are observed (refer to the relevant
national motoring organisation for information). The following maximum permissible towed
weights refer to the vehicles design limitations and NOT to any specific territorial restriction.
Maximum permissible towed weights On-road kg Off-road kg
Unbraked trailers...

Towing & load carrying
73 Coupled braking systems
In order to tow a trailer with a weight in
excess of 3,500 kg, the vehicle must be
adapted to operate a coupled brake system. If
this adaptation is carried out, the vehicle
identification number plate (VIN) must be
changed to show the increased train weight.
Revised VIN plates may be obtained from
Land Rover; these will be issued subject to
satisfactory proof that the vehicle has been
fitted with an approved conversion.
NOTE:Above 300 metres (1,000 feet)...

Emergency starting
74 Starting an engine with a discharged battery
The ONLY recommended methods of
restarting a vehicle with a discharged battery
are:
·The use of a substitute battery fitted to the
disabled vehicle.
·The use of booster cables to connect the
battery from a donor vehicle to the
discharged battery.
USING BOOSTER CABLES
WARNING
Batteries emit explosive hydrogen gas -
keep sparks and naked lights away from the
battery compartment.
Make sure BOTH batteries are of the same
voltage (12 volts),...

Emergency starting
75 8.Once both engines are running normally,
allow them to idle for two minutes before
switching off the engine of the donor
vehicle and disconnecting the booster
cables. DO NOT switch on any electrical
circuits on the previously disabled vehicle
until AFTER the booster cables have been
removed.
9.Disconnecting the booster cables must be
an EXACT reversal of the connecting
procedure,ie; disconnect the BLACK
cable from the earthing point on the
disabled vehicle FIRST. 

Vehicle recovery
76 VEHICLE RECOVERY
If it is necessary to recover the vehicle by
towing, always adhere to the following
procedure:
Towing the vehicle (on four-wheels)
1.Set the main gearbox and transfer box in
neutral.
2.Ensure the differential lock is in the
unlocked position.
3.Turn the starter switch to the first position
to unlock the steering and leave in this
position while the vehicle is being towed.
4.Secure the towing attachment to the
vehicle.
5.Release the handbrake.
NOTE:If, due to an...

Vehicle recovery
77
Transporter or trailer lashing
Use the towing rings on the front and rear
cross members as lashing points (see
illustration). DO NOT secure lashing hooks or
trailer fixings to any other part of the vehicle.