Land Rover Defender Owners Handbook Rover

							Steps
48
Steps(if fitted)
The steps can be folded up or down as
required. 
						

							49
SECTION 3
Driving & operating
Section Contents Page
Starter switch & steering lock 51....................
Starting & driving 52......................................
Catalytic converter 60.....................................
Fuel 62............................................................
Gearbox & transmission 64............................
Brakes 69.......................................................
Towing & load carrying 71.............................
Emergency starting 74....................................
Vehicle recovery 76........................................
Ancillary equipment 78................................... 
						

							50 
						

							Starter switch & steering lock
51
To unlock the steering column
Insert the ignition key FULLY and turn the
starter switch to position I, while turning the
steering wheel slightly to disengage the lock.
To lock the steering column
Turn the starter switch to position 0 and
withdraw the key from the starter switch. Turn
the steering wheel towards the straight ahead
position until the lock engages.
WARNING
DO NOT remove the key or turn the starter
switch to position 0 while the vehicle is in
motion. Once the steering lock is engaged,
it is impossible to steer the vehicle.STARTER SWITCH
The starter switch is located to the left of the
steering column, and uses the following
sequence of key positions to operate the
steering lock, electrical circuits and starter
motor.
Position 0
Steering locked (if key is removed).
Most lighting circuits are operational,
including: sidelights, headlights, hazard
warning lights and rear fog guard lights.
Position I
Steering unlocked.
Radio/cassette player can be operated.
Position II
All instruments, warning lights and electrical
circuits are operational.
Position III
Starter motor operates.
Release the key immediately the engine starts
(the key will automatically return to position
II).
Note that operation of position I electrical
functions will be interrupted during engine
cranking. 
						

							Starting & driving
52 STARTING - DIESEL ENGINES
WARNING
FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A
CATALYTIC CONVERTER:
Catalytic converters are easily damaged
through improper use, particularly if the
wrong fuel is used, or if an engine misfire
occurs.
Before starting the engine and driving,
ENSURE you are familiar with the precautions
shown under Catalytic converter later in this
section.
In particular, you should be aware that
continued use of the starter will result in
unused fuel damaging the catalytic converter.
1.Check that the handbrake is applied and
that the gear lever is in neutral.
2.Switch off all unnecessary electrical
equipment.
3.Insert the starter key and turn the switch
to position II. Wait until the glow plug
warning light extinguishes.
NOTE:When restarting a warm engine, it will
not be necessary to wait for the glow plug
warning light to extinguish.
4.Turn the key to position III to operate the
starter motor; DO NOT press the
accelerator pedal during starting, and
RELEASE THE KEY as soon as the engine
is running.
NOTE:In temperate climates, the battery
charging and oil pressure warning lights
should extinguish as soon as the engine is
running.In cold weather, or when the battery is in a
low state of charge, depress the clutch pedal
while starting and hold it down until the
engine is running.
In temperate climates, DO NOT operate the
starter for longer than 10 seconds; if the
engine fails to start, switch off and wait 10
seconds before re-using the starter. Please
note that prolonged use of the starter will not
only discharge the battery but may also
damage the starter motor. 
						

							Starting & driving
53 Cold climates
In very cold climates, the battery charging and
oil pressure warning lights may take several
seconds to extinguish. Similarly, engine
cranking times will also increase; at -30°C the
starter motor may need to be operated
continuously for as long as 30 seconds before
the engine will start. For this reason, ensure
that all non-essential electrical equipment is
switched off.
Warming up
In the interests of fuel economy, it is advisable
to start driving straight away, remembering
that harsh acceleration or labouring the engine
before the normal operating temperature has
been reached can damage the engine.
WARNING
The engine must not be run above fast idle
speed until the oil pressure warning light
extinguishes to ensure that the engine and
turbo-charger bearings are properly
lubricated before being run at speed.
WARNING
Exhaust fumes contain poisonous
substances which can cause
unconsciousness and may even be fatal.
·DO NOT inhale exhaust gases.
·DO NOT start or leave the engine running
in an enclosed unventilated area, or
drive with the rear door open.
·DO NOT modify the exhaust system from
the original design.
·DO repair exhaust system or body leaks
immediately.
·If you think exhaust fumes are entering
the vehicle have the cause determined
and corrected immediately.
Switching off
To avoid the possibility of damaging the
turbo-charger bearings through inadequate
lubrication, ALWAYS allow the engine to idle
for 10 seconds before switching off. Turn the
engine off by returning the starter switch to
position I and then position 0 to remove
key. 
						

							Starting & driving
54 STARTING - PETROL ENGINES
1.Check that the handbrake is applied and
that the gear lever is in neutral.
2.Switch off all unnecessary electrical
equipment.
3.If the engine is cold, pull out the cold start
control (if fitted) and turn it clockwise to
lock (see illustration).
4.Insert the starter key and turn the switch
to position II and then on to position III
to operate the starter motor. DO NOT
press the accelerator pedal during starting
and RELEASE THE KEY as soon as the
engine is running.
In temperate climates DO NOT operate the
starter for longer than 10 seconds. If the
engine fails to start, switch off and wait 10
seconds before re-using the starter. Please
note that prolonged use of the starter will not
only discharge the battery but may also
damage the starter motor.
In temperate climates, the battery charging
and oil pressure warning lights should
extinguish as soon as the engine is running.
In cold weather, or when the battery is in a
low state of charge, depress the clutch pedal
while starting and hold it down until the
engine is running.
Cold climates
In very cold climates, the battery charging and
oil pressure warning lights may take several
seconds to extinguish. Similarly, engine
cranking times will also increase; at -30°C the
starter motor may need to be operated
continuously for as long as 30 seconds before
the engine will start. For this reason, ensure
that all non-essential electrical equipment is
switched off.
Additionally, in very cold climates, use of a
cylinder block heater will improve the engines
starting characteristics. Your Land Rover
dealer can advise you about the supply and
use of a cylinder block heater.
Warming up
In the interests of fuel economy, it is advisable
to start driving straight away, remembering
that harsh acceleration or labouring the engine
before the normal operating temperature has
been reached can damage the engine.
NOTE:Remember to turn off the cold start
control once normal operating temperature is
reached. 
						

							Starting & driving
55
WARNING
Exhaust fumes contain poisonous
substances which can cause
unconsciousness and may even be fatal.
·DO NOT inhale exhaust gases.
·DO NOT start or leave the engine running
in an enclosed unventilated area, or
drive with the rear door open.
·DO NOT modify the exhaust system from
the original design.
·DO repair exhaust system or body leaks
immediately.
·If you think exhaust fumes are entering
the vehicle have the cause determined
and corrected immediately.
Parking
After bringing the vehicle to a stop, ALWAYS
apply the handbrake and select neutral in the
main gearbox before releasing the footbrake
and switching off the engine.
Switching off
Return the starter switch to position I and
then to position 0 to remove the key. 
						

							Starting & driving
56 RUNNING-IN (petrol & diesel models)
Proper running-in will have a direct bearing on
the reliability and smooth running of your
vehicle throughout its life.
In particular, the engine, gearbox, brakes and
tyres need time to bed-in and adjust to the
demands of everyday motoring. It is therefore
essential to drive with consideration for the
running-in process for at least the first 800
km (500 miles) and observe the following
advice:
·LIMIT maximum speed to 80 km/h (50
mph) for 4-cylinder engines and 95 km/h
(60 mph) for V8 engines. Initially, drive
the vehicle on a light throttle and only
increase engine speeds once the
running-in distance has been completed.
·DO NOT operate at full throttle or allow the
engine to labour in any gear.
·AVOID fast acceleration and heavy braking
except in emergencies.EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Land Rover vehicles are fitted with emission
and evaporative control equipment necessary
to meet a number of territorial requirements.
In many countries, it is against the law for
vehicle owners to modify or tamper with
emission control equipment, or to sanction
the unauthorised replacement or modification
of this equipment by a repair shop. In such
cases, the vehicle owner and the repairer may
both be liable for legal penalties.
It is important to remember that only Land
Rover dealers are properly equipped to
perform repairs and to maintain the emission
control system on your vehicle. 
						

							Starting & driving
57 FUEL ECONOMY
Fuel consumption is influenced by two major
factors:
·How your vehicle is maintained.
·How you drive your vehicle.
To obtain optimum fuel economy, it is
essential that your vehicle is maintained in
accordance with the manufacturers service
schedule.
Items such as ignition timing, the condition of
the air cleaner element, tyre pressures and
wheel alignment can have a significant effect
on fuel consumption. But above all, the way in
which you drive is most important. The
following hints may help you to obtain even
better value from your motoring:
·Avoid unnecessary, short, start-stop
journeys.
·Avoid fast starts by accelerating gently and
smoothly from rest.
·Do not drive in the lower gears longer than
necessary.
·Decelerate gently and avoid sudden and
heavy braking.
·Anticipate obstructions and adjust your
speed accordingly well in advance.
DRIVE GENTLY - SAVE FUEL!