Land Rover Defender Owners Handbook Rover

							Tyres
98
WARNING
Never drive your vehicle if the tyres are
badly worn, cut or damaged, or if the
pressures are incorrect.
Incorrectly inflated tyres wear rapidly and
seriously affect the vehicles safety and road
handling characteristics.
Caring for your tyres
Always drive with consideration for the
condition of the tyres and frequently inspect
the tread and side walls for signs of distortion
or damage (in particular, look for lumps, cuts
and bulges).
Tyre pressures
Tyre pressures should be checked at least
once a week with normal road use, but should
be checked DAILY if the vehicle is used
off-road.
Check the pressures - including the spare -
when the tyres are cold (air pressure naturally
increases in warm tyres). The recommended
pressures are shown in General data.
WARNING
If the vehicle has been parked in strong
sunlight or is used in high ambient
temperatures, DO NOT reduce tyre
pressures; instead, move the vehicle into
shade and allow the tyres to cool before
checking.Tyre wear
Some tyres fitted as original equipment have
wear indicators moulded into the tread
pattern. When the tread has worn down to 1.6
mm (1/16 in) the indicators start appearing at
the surface of the tread pattern, producing the
effect of a continuous band of rubber across
the width of the tyre.
A tyre MUST be replaced as soon as an
indicator band becomes visible or the tread
depth reaches the minimum permitted by
legislation.
Tread depth must be checked regularly (at
every maintenance service, or more
frequently). Always replace a tyre before the
tread reaches a remaining depth of 1.6 mm
(1/16 in). DO NOT drive with tyres worn to
this limit, the safety of the vehicle and its
occupants will be adversely affected.
NOTE:After off-road use, check to make sure
there are no lumps or bulges in the tyres or
exposure of the ply or cord structure.
Valve caps
Keep the valve caps screwed down firmly to
prevent dirt from entering the valve.
Replacement tyres
Wheel rims and tyres are matched to suit the
handling characteristics of the vehicle. For
safety, ALWAYS check that replacement tyres
comply with the manufacturers original
specification and that the load rating shown
on the side wall is the same as that of the
original equipment for a particular territory.
Contact your Land Rover dealer for further
information or assistance. 
						

							Tyres
99
WARNING
ALWAYS use the same make and type of
radial-ply tyres front and rear. DO NOT use
cross-ply tyres, or interchange tyres from
front to rear.
·If the wheel is marked TUBED an inner
tube MUST be fitted, even with a
tubeless tyre.
·If the wheel is marked TUBELESS, an
inner tube must NOT be fitted.
NOTE:Tyre sizes and pressures are shown in
General data.
WARNING
Do not replace wheels with any type other
than genuine Land Rover parts.
Wheels and tyres are designed for both
off-road and on-road use and have a very
important influence upon the correct
operation of the suspension system and
vehicle handling.
Alternative wheels which do not meet
original equipment specifications should not
be fitted.Snow chains
Land Rover approved snow chains are
designed for on-road use in extreme snow
conditions only, and are not recommended for
off-road use. Always observe the following
recommendations:
·ONLY Land Rover approved chains may
be fitted to the front wheels, or fitted to all
four wheels. Non-approved chains can be
fitted to the rear wheels ONLY.
·Ensure the gearbox differential is locked.
·Always adhere to the snow chain fitting
and retensioning instructions and the
speed limit recommendations for varying
road conditions. Never exceed 30 mph (50
km/h).
·Avoid tyre damage by removing snow
chains as soon as the road is free of snow.
NOTE:Snow chains are not available for
265/75 R16 tyres.
For more information or assistance, consult
your Land Rover dealer.
WARNING
DO NOT fit unapproved snow chains to the
front wheels - this could damage brake
components. 
						

							Washer jets & wiper blades
100
WASHER JETS
To adjust a washer jet, insert a needle into the
jet orifice (see inset) and lever gently to
position the jet.
WIPER BLADE REPLACEMENT
To renew a windscreen or rear screen wiper
blade, lift the wiper arm away from the
windscreen, press the retaining clip (arrowed
in illustration), push the blade away from the
arm and then unhook the wiper blade.
Locate the new blade assembly on the arm,
hook it to the swivel bracket and push into
engagement until the blade is retained by the
clip.
Always fit wiper blades that are identical to the
original specification. 
						

							Battery
101
The battery is located underneath the left-hand
front seat. Pull up the front of the seat base to
release it from its retaining clips and pull it
forward. Release the buckle on the front of the
battery compartment and slide off the lid.
When refitting the seat base, insert the rear of
the base first and then push down firmly to
re-engage the retaining clips - ENSURE the
seat base is secure before driving.
WARNING
Batteries contain sulphuric acid. If the acid
comes in contact with the eyes or skin, wash
immediately with cold water and seek
medical advice.
During normal operation batteries emit
explosive hydrogen gas - ensure sparks and
naked lights are kept away from the battery
compartment.
To reduce the risk of a short circuit, remove
all metal wrist bands and jewellery before
working in the battery compartment and
NEVER allow the battery terminals or
vehicle leads to make contact with tools or
metal parts of the vehicle. 
						

							Battery
102
Battery maintenance
The battery fitted to your vehicle requires
minimal attention as follows:
·In temperate climates check the electrolyte
level once every 3 years. In hot climates
check the level annually.
·Occasionally wipe the battery casing to
remove dirt and grease.
·Keep the battery terminals clean and free
from corrosion by occasionally smearing
them with petroleum jelly.
Checking the electrolyte level
Gently prise off the vent covers (or unscrew if
vent plugs are fitted) and inspect the
electrolyte level of the centre cell. This should
be no lower than 1 mm (0.04 in) above the
top of the plates. If necessary, top up with
distilled water to a maximum of 3 mm (0.12
in) above the plates.Battery removal and replacement
Your vehicle may be fitted with a battery
backed-up sounder, which operates as an
anti-theft siren if the main battery is
disconnected.
If it is necessary to remove the main vehicle
battery, it is ESSENTIAL to adopt the following
procedure before disconnecting the terminals
in order to prevent the siren from sounding:
1.Turn the starter switch on and then off.
Then remove the key.
2.Disconnect the vehicle battery WITHIN 15
SECONDS (if it is not disconnected within
15 seconds, the back-up siren will sound
immediately the battery terminals are
disconnected).
ALWAYS disconnect the negative (-) terminal
first. When replacing, connect the positive
(+) terminal first.
If the siren sounds when the battery is
reconnected, it CANNOT be turned off in the
normal way (ie. by operating the handset
buttons). To deactivate the siren, disarm the
alarm system with the handset and turn the
starter switch to position II. 
						

							Battery
103
WARNING
To avoid damaging the vehicles electrical
system, ensure correct polarity when
refitting the battery.
ONLY fit a replacement battery of the same
type and specification as the original. Other
batteries may vary in size and have different
terminal positions, capable of creating a
potential fire hazard if the terminals or leads
were to come into contact with the battery
clamp assembly.
DO NOT use a high speed battery charger as
a starting aid.
DO NOT let the engine run without the
battery connected.Battery charging
Batteries generate explosive gases, contain
corrosive acid and supply levels of electric
current high enough to cause serious burns.
Before charging, ensure the battery is properly
topped up, and ALWAYS observe the
following precautions while charging the
battery:
·Always remove the battery from the
vehicle.
·Make sure the battery charger is
disconnected from its power supply before
connecting the leads to the battery
terminals.
·Make sure the charging leads are securely
clamped before switching on the charger,
and DO NOT move the clamps while the
charger is switched on.
·Shield your eyes or avoid leaning over the
battery.
·Keep the area around the top of the battery
well ventilated.
·Keep naked lights clear of the battery
(batteries emit inflammable hydrogen
during and after charging).
·When charging is complete, switch off the
charger before disconnecting the charging
leads, and then leave the battery for an
hour BEFORE reconnection to the vehicle. 
						

							Wheel changing
104 IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Before jacking the vehicle always observe
the following precautions!
·Park your vehicle away from the
thoroughfare, and make your
passengers wait in a safe area
AWAY from the vehicle.
·Switch on the hazard warning lights
to alert other road users.
·ALWAYS engage the differential lock
before jacking (warning light on
fascia illuminates).
·Apply the handbrake and engage 1st
gear in the main gear box and select
L in the transfer box. Turn off the
starter switch and remove the key.
·NEVER jack the vehicle with
passengers inside, or with a caravan
or trailer connected!
·NEVER work beneath the vehicle
with the jack as the only means of
support. The jack is designed for
wheel changing only!
Using the Wheel Chock
WARNING
Before raising the vehicle, it is ESSENTIAL
to chock one of the road wheels; the
handbrake acts on the transmission, not on
the rear wheels, and therefore may not hold
the vehicle when raised.
WARNING
Always chock the wheel diagonally opposite
the one to be removed - chocking the front of
a front wheel or the back of a rear wheel,
using the chock provided.
NOTE:The wheel chock is stowed in a
compartment under the left-hand front seat
(see Battery for details of access). 
						

							Wheel changing
105
Removing the spare wheel
1.Remove the nuts securing the wheel cover
using the wheel brace supplied in the tool
kit.
2.Remove the nuts securing the spare wheel
to the carrier and lift off the wheel.
WARNING
DO NOT use the spare wheel securing nuts
in place of the road wheel nuts.
The wheels are extremely heavy. Take care
when lifting and particularly when removing
the spare wheel from its mounting position
on the bonnet, bulkhead or rear door. 
						

							Wheel changing
106
VEHICLE JACKING
One of two types of jack will have been
supplied with your vehicle - either a bottle jack
or pillar jack. The operation of each type
differs greatly and it is important to read the
appropriate operating instructions that follow.
The bottle jack (if fitted) is stowed in a
compartment under the left-hand front seat
(see Battery for details of access). The jack
handle and tools (or pillar jack - if fitted) are
stowed in a bag behind the front seat in
Pick-up and Hard-top models and under the
bench seat in Soft-top and Station Wagon
models.
Operating the bottle jack
Slot the jack lever together, ensuring that the
spring clip protrudes from the engagement
slot where the two parts join (see inset). Close
the jack release valve by turning it fully
clockwise and insert the lever into the socket
where shown. Pump the lever up and down to
raise the jack.
To lower the jack, withdraw the lever and slot
the notched end over the the pegs on the
release valve. Slowly turn the release valve
anti-clockwise allowing the weight of the
vehicle to lower the jack.
WARNING
Ensure the jack is positioned on firm, level
ground.
DO NOT use the jack to raise the vehicle
until you have carefully read and understood
Positioning the jack later in this section. If
in doubt, consult your dealer.
Care must be taken to avoid accidental
contact with any underbody parts, especially
the hot exhaust system components, likely
to cause personal injury during raising or
lowering of the vehicle.
Ensure that the space under and around the
vehicle is free from obstruction as it is
lowered. 
						

							Wheel changing
107 Positioning the bottle jack
Always position the jack from the front or rear
of the vehicle directly in line with the jacking
points.
WARNING
NEVER use the jack from the side of the
vehicle.
Always use the complete, two piece, jack
lever throughout to minimise any accidental
contact with a hot exhaust system.
ONLY jack the vehicle using the jack
location points described or damage to the
vehicle could occur.
Front jacking point:
Position the jack so that, when raised, it
engages with the front axle casing
immediately below the coil spring. The jack
cradle must locate between the flange at the
end of the axle casing and the large bracket to
which the front suspension members are
mounted.
Rear jacking point:
Push the mud flap up over the tyre to allow
clear access (return it to its correct position
when the wheel change is complete). Position
the jack so that, when raised, it engages with
the rear axle casing immediately below the coil
spring and as close as possible to the shock
absorber mounting bracket.
Care of the jack
Occasionally, clean and grease the moving
parts (particularly the ram/pillar) to prevent
rust.
The bottle jack oil level should be checked at
normal servicing intervals and if necessary
topped up with an hydraulic oil with a
viscosity to BS 4231 grade 32 and ISO proof
32.
To avoid contamination, the bottle jack should
always be returned to its fully closed position
and must always be stowed upright.