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 gravity than
ordinary passenger cars. This will result in
different handling characteristics.
Inexperienced drivers should take additional
care, particularly in off-road driving situations
and when performing abrupt manoeuvres at
inappropriate speeds or on unstable surfaces.
Vehicle height
The overall height of your vehicle exceeds that
of ordinary passenger cars. Always be aware
of the height of your vehicle and check the
available headroom before driving through
low entrances. This is particularly important if
the vehicle is fitted with a roof rack or if the
sunroof is open.Power assisted steering
Power assistance is progressively applied the
more the steering wheel is turned. For
example; where manual steering effort would
normally be greatest (at slow speeds on
maximum lock), power assistance is greatest.
Similarly, where only minimal steering effort
would normally be required (at high speed
with the wheels straight ahead), then power
assistance is also minimal, thus enabling the
driver to benefit from apparently consistent
steering effort at all times.
WARNING
Under no circumstances must the steering
wheel be held on full lock for more than
thirty seconds in one minute, otherwise the
steering assembly may be damaged.
NOTE:Power assistance is dependent on the
engine running. If the engine is not running,
greater effort will be required to steer the
vehicle. 
						

							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 follow:Fuel
·Use ONLY fuel recommended for your
vehicle.
Starting the engine
·DO NOT continue operating the starter if
the engine fails to start after a few
attempts (unburnt fuel may be drawn into
the exhaust system, thereby poisoning the
catalyst) - seek qualified assistance.
·When starting a COLD engine, DO NOT
drive if a misfire is suspected - seek
qualified assistance. 
						

							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
underside of the vehicle to be subjected to
heavy impacts which could damage the
catalytic converter.
·DO NOT overload or excessively rev the
engine.
WARNING
Exhaust system temperatures can be
extremely high - DO NOT park on ground
where combustible materials such as dry
grass or leaves could come into contact with
the exhaust system (in dry weather a fire
could result).Switching off
·DO NOT switch off the engine while a
forward or reverse gear is selected or
whilst the vehicle is in motion.
Vehicle maintenance
·Any engine misfire, loss of engine
performance or engine run-on, could
seriously damage the catalytic converter.
For this reason, it is vital that unqualified
persons do not tamper with the engine,
and that regular systematic maintenance is
carried out by a Land Rover dealer. 
						

							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 MINIMUM requirement and
whilst this can be safely exceeded, no
advantage in performance or fuel economy
will be gained by using a higher octane fuel.
If heavy engine knock is detected when using
the recommended octane rated fuel, or if
steady engine knocking is present while
maintaining a steady speed on level roads,
contact your dealer for advice.
NOTE:An occasional, light, engine knock
while accelerating or climbing hills is
acceptable.DIESEL ENGINES
The quality of diesel fuel (Derv) can vary in
different countries and only clean, good
quality fuel should be used. It is important
that the sulphur content of diesel fuel does
not exceed 1%; in Europe all supplies should
be within this limit, but in other parts of the
world, you should check with your supplier.
Ensure the fuel filter element is changed and
the fuel sedimenter drained, at the
recommended service intervals.
If good quality diesel fuel is unavailable and it
is necessary to use poor quality fuel, it may be
necessary to drain the fuel sedimenter
regularly.
NOTE:The use of paraffin (kerosene) as a
diesel fuel additive is illegal in the UK.
WARNING
On both petrol and diesel engine vehicles, if
the fuel tank is accidentally filled with the
wrong fuel, it is ESSENTIAL that you contact
your dealer BEFORE attempting to start the
engine! 
						

							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.
WARNING
DO NOT fully fill the tank if the vehicle is to
be parked on a slope in direct sunlight or
high ambient temperature - expansion of the
fuel could cause spillage.Empty fuel tank
DO NOT RUN THE FUEL TANK DRY!
In the case of vehicles equipped with a
catalytic converter, running the fuel tank dry
could create an engine misfire capable of
damaging the catalytic converter.
In the case of diesel models, qualified
assistance may be required to prime the fuel
system before the engine can be restarted.
SAFETY ON THE FORECOURT
Petroleum gases are highly inflammable
and in confined spaces are also explosive.
Always take sensible precautions when
refuelling:
·Switch off the engine.
·Do not smoke or use a naked flame
or light.
·Take care not to spill fuel.
·Do not overfill the tank. 
						

							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 is
spring-loaded to automatically align between
third and fourth gear positions.Clutch
Take care NOT to use the clutch pedal as a
foot rest. To prevent unnecessary wear,
always keep the left foot well clear of the
clutch pedal, except when changing gear.
WARNING
Do NOT select reverse gear unless the
vehicle is stationary. 
						

							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 trailer or
negotiating a boulder strewn river bed; also
use for more extreme off-road conditions
where progress in high range cannot be
maintained.Neutral (N)
With the transfer lever in neutral, drive cannot
be transmitted to the road wheels, regardless
of the position of the main gear lever. Use
transfer neutral when being towed or when
using winching or power take off facilities.
Diff lock centre differential
Use the unlocked position for all normal
driving, and use the DIFF-LOCK position to
improve traction in extreme conditions where
wheel grip could be lost, such as: wet grass,
mud, sand, ice or snow. Return to the
unlocked position as soon as dry, firm,
ground is reached.
DO NOT use the diff lock unnecessarily! 
						

							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
achieved without stopping the vehicle, as
follows:
1.Apply slight backward pressure to the
transfer gear lever in preparation for
changing.
2.Then, in three simultaneous moves,
depress the clutch, release the accelerator
and pull the transfer lever into neutral.
3.Release the clutch pedal for approximately
3 seconds before depressing it again and
moving the transfer lever firmly into the
high position.
4.Finally, select a suitable main gear, release
the clutch and continue driving in the
normal way.
NOTE:After a little practice, this operation
can be carried out smoothly and quickly by
using firm, positive moves. 
						

							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. However, with the differential
unlocked the different running requirements
of the two axles can be accommodated,
thereby enabling Land Rover vehicles to
operate permanently in four wheel drive for
both road AND off-road use.Selecting diff lock
The diff lock can be engaged or disengaged
either with the vehicle stationary, or when
driving at any road speed. However, with the
vehicle in motion it is ESSENTIAL to be
travelling on firm ground, in a straight line,
and without wheel slip.
WARNING
DO NOT engage the diff lock if one or more
wheels are slipping - this could damage the
transmission. If wheels are slipping, ease
off the accelerator before engaging the diff
lock.
DO NOT engage the diff lock from the
transfer neutral position.
To lock the differential:
Briefly ease the throttle and move the transfer
gear lever to the left - from either H (high) or
L (low) position (the warning light on the
instrument panel will illuminate).
To unlock the differential:
Move the transfer gear lever to the right - to
either H (high) or L (low) position as
required; when the diff lock disengages the
warning light will extinguish.