Land Rover Discovery Series Ii 2001my Owners Handbook Nas Rover

							Automatic Transmission
100
MODE SWITCH
In High range press the mode switch to select 
‘Sport’ mode (the ‘S’ information light on the 
instrument panel will illuminate).
In Low range press the mode switch to select 
‘Manual’ mode (the ‘M’ information light will 
illuminate).
Press the switch a second time to return the 
gearbox to normal operation.
‘Sport’ mode
With ‘Sport’ mode selected, the gearbox is 
more responsive to accelerator pedal 
movement - downshifts occur earlier and 
upshifts are delayed to make optimum use of 
the engines power while accelerating. Select 
‘Sport’ when increased acceleration is required, 
or when negotiating long inclines or twisting 
roads. Note that driving in ‘Sport’ mode will 
increase fuel consumption.‘Manual’ mode
In Low range, with ‘Manual’ mode selected, the 
automatic transmission functions as a manual 
gearbox requiring the driver to move the 
selector lever manually to change gear 
(‘D’ = 4th gear). Manual mode will provide 
maximum vehicle control and engine braking - 
ideal for use in severe off-road conditions. Note 
that ‘kick-down’ is disabled and that automatic 
downshifts will only occur to prevent the engine 
from stalling.
NOTE: Changing from high to low range on the 
transfer gearbox (or low to high range) will 
automatically cancel ‘Sport’ or ‘Manual’ mode..
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							Transfer Gearbox
101
T ra nsfer Ge arboxTRANSFER GEARBOX
The second gearbox (known as the transfer 
box) is used to select either the high or low 
range of gears.
High range (‘H’)
The high range of gears should be used for all 
normal road driving and also for off-road 
driving across dry, level terrain.
Low range (‘L’)
Use low range gears ONLY in situations where 
low speed maneuvering is necessary, such as 
reversing a trailer or negotiating a boulder 
strewn river bed; also use low range for more 
extreme off-road conditions (including steep 
uphill and downhill gradients) where progress 
in high range cannot be maintained. 
WARNING
DO NOT attempt to use LOW range gears for 
normal road driving. Doing so will limit the 
vehicle’s top speed and may damage 
drivetrain components.
USING THE TRANSFER GEARBOX
There are two ways of operating the transfer 
gearbox lever; the ‘normal’ method - 
recommended for inexperienced drivers - and 
the ‘advanced’ method for experienced drivers.
Normal method
With the vehicle stationary and the engine 
running, apply both foot brake and parking 
brake and then move the automatic gearbox 
selector to the ‘N’ (neutral) position before 
moving the transfer lever fully forward or 
backwards to the required position.
If there is resistance to the gear engaging, do 
not force the lever. Instead, with the engine 
running, apply the foot brake and parking 
brake, momentarily engage ‘D’ (drive) on the 
main gearbox then return it to the ‘N’ position 
and try again.
Advanced method
Changing from ‘H’ (High) to ‘L’ (Low) or vice 
versa without stopping the vehicle can be 
achieved as follows:
Reduce (or increase) the speed of the vehicle to 
5 mph (8 km/h) and release the accelerator. 
Select ‘N’ and move the transfer lever quickly to 
the required ‘H’ or ‘L’ position. Finally, reselect 
‘D’ with the main gear selector and continue 
driving as normal.
Audible warning
A constant, high pitched, warning chime will 
sound whenever the starter switch is turned on 
when the transfer gearbox lever is in the ‘N’ 
(neutral) position. The warning is intended to 
remind the driver that the appropriate ‘High’ or 
‘Low’ range gearing should be engaged.
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							Cruise Control
102
Cruise  Co ntrolCRUISE CONTROL
Cruise control enables the driver to maintain a 
constant road speed without using the 
accelerator pedal. This is particularly useful for 
freeway cruising or for any journey where a 
constant speed can be maintained for a lengthy 
period.
The cruise control system has three switches; a 
master switch on the right hand side of the 
instrument panel and two control switches 
marked ‘SET +’ and ‘RES’ mounted on the 
steering wheel.CAUTION:Always observe the following 
precautions:
DO NOT use cruise control when using low 
range or reverse gears.
DO NOT use cruise control on winding or 
slippery road surfaces, or in traffic conditions 
where a constant speed cannot easily be 
maintained.
Use of ‘sport’ mode on automatic gearbox 
vehicles is not recommended when cruise 
control is selected.
On petrol engine vehicles, DO NOT rest your 
foot under the accelerator pedal while cruise 
control is engaged - your foot could be trapped.
ALWAYS switch off the master switch when 
you no longer intend to use cruise control to 
avoid accidental activation of cruise control.
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							Cruise Control
103
To operate
1.Press the master switch (the switch 
indicator light illuminates whenever the 
switch is pressed to the ‘on’ position).
2.Accelerate until the desired cruising speed 
is reached. This must be above the 
systems operational minimum speed of 
28 mph (45 km/h).
3.Press the ‘SET +’ switch to set the vehicle 
speed in the systems memory. Cruise 
control will now maintain that road speed 
without the need for operation of the 
accelerator pedal.
With cruise control operating, speed can be 
increased for periods of up to 30 seconds, by 
normal use of the accelerator e.g. for 
overtaking. When the accelerator is released, 
road speed will return to the selected cruising 
speed.
NOTE: If the 30 second period is exceeded, 
cruise control will automatically disengage. 
Press the RES switch to re-engage.
To reduce the cruising speed: 
Press the ‘RES’ switch to slow the vehicle, until 
the required speed has been reached. Then 
press the ‘SET +’ switch to establish the new 
cruising speed (remember that cruise control 
will not operate at speeds below 28 mph 
(45 km/h).To increase the set cruising speed:
Press and hold the ‘SET +’ switch - the vehicle 
will accelerate automatically. Release the 
switch as soon as the desired speed has been 
reached.
Alternatively, the set speed can be increased 
incrementally by ‘tapping’ the ‘SET +’ switch. 
Each press of the switch will increase the speed 
by 1 mph (1.5 km/h approx).
Disengaging cruise control
Cruise control will disengage when the gear 
selector is moved into neutral, or when the 
brake pedal is pressed. Cruise control can also 
be disengaged by pressing the ‘RES’ switch.
To re-engage cruise control at the previously 
set speed, press the ‘RES’ switch.
NOTE: The speed held in the cruise control 
memory will be cancelled when either the 
cruise control master switch or the starter 
switch is turned off. 
						

							Brakes
104
Brak esFOOT BRAKE
For your safety, the hydraulic braking system 
operates through dual circuits. If one circuit 
should fail, the other will continue to function, 
but increased brake pedal travel, greater pedal 
pressure, and longer stopping distances will be 
experienced. 
Power assistance
The braking system is power 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 precautions:
•NEVER allow the vehicle to coast with the 
engine turned off.
•ALWAYS take particular care when being 
towed with the engine turned off (see 
‘TOWING FOR RECOVERY’, page 185).
•If the engine should stop for any reason 
while the vehicle is in motion, bring the 
vehicle to a halt as quickly as traffic 
conditions safely allow, and DO NOT pump 
the brake pedal as the braking system may 
lose any remaining assistance available.
Electronic brake force distribution
In addition, your vehicle is equipped with 
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), 
which balances the distribution of braking 
forces between front and rear axles, in order to 
maintain maximum braking efficiency under all 
load conditions.
For example; under light loads EBD applies less 
effort to the rear brakes to maintain vehicle 
stability, conversely reducing front braking 
effort when the vehicle is towing or is heavily 
laden.Driving in wet conditions
Driving through water or even very heavy rain 
may adversely affect braking efficiency. Always 
dry the braking surfaces by intermittent light 
application of the brakes, first ensuring that you 
are at a safe distance from other road users.
Brake pads
Brake pads require a period of bedding in. For 
the first 500 miles (800 km), you should avoid 
situations where heavy braking is required.
Remember! regular servicing is vital to ensure 
that the brake pads are examined for wear and 
changed periodically to ensure long term safety 
and optimum performance.
CAUTION: DO NOT rest your foot on the brake 
pedal while traveling, as this may overheat the 
brakes, reduce their efficiency and cause 
excessive wear.
NEVER place additional floor matting or any 
other obstructions under the brake pedal. This 
restricts pedal travel and braking efficiency.
NEVER move a vehicle without the engine 
running because braking assistance will not be 
available. The pedal brakes will still function, 
but more pressure will be required to operate 
them.
If the brake warning light comes on when 
driving, and the parking brake is fully released, 
a fault with the braking system is indicated. Be 
prepared for increased brake pedal travel and 
then stop the vehicle as quickly as traffic 
conditions and safety permit and seek qualified 
assistance before continuing. DO NOT pump 
the brake pedal - the braking system may lose 
any remaining power assistance available. 
						

							Brakes
105
PARKING BRAKE 
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 parking brake 
is applied.
To engage the parking brake, depress the 
button and pull the lever up fully.
To release, pull the lever up slightly, depress 
the button and lower the lever.
When parking on a slope, do not rely on the 
parking brake alone to hold the vehicle.
Always ensure the parking pawl of the gearbox 
has fully engaged by carefully releasing the foot 
brake and allowing the vehicle to ‘rock’ into ‘P’ 
(park).
CAUTION: DO NOT apply the parking brake 
whilst the vehicle is in motion (except in an 
emergency) as this could result in loss of 
vehicle control and damage to the 
transmission.
WARNING
ALWAYS use wheel chocks when jacking the 
vehicle. Even with the parking brake applied, 
vehicle movement is likely due to tolerances 
in the transmission.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES
CAUTION: ABS cannot overcome the physical 
limitations of stopping the vehicle in too short a 
distance, cornering at too high a speed, or the 
danger of aquaplaning, i.e. where a layer of 
water prevents adequate contact between the 
tyres and the road surface.
The fact that a vehicle is fitted with ABS must 
never tempt the driver into taking risks that 
could affect his/her safety or that of other road 
users. In all cases, it remains the drivers 
responsibility to drive within normal safety 
margins, having due consideration for 
prevailing weather and traffic conditions.
The ABS is designed to operate only with the 
tyres specified in ‘Technical data’ (see 
‘WHEELS & TYRES’, page 211) and genuine 
Land Rover parts. The manufacturers cannot 
accept any responsibility for inefficient 
operation of the system caused by 
modifications to the vehicle, or the fitting of 
non-approved components. Always consult 
your Land Rover dealer for advice.
The driver should always take account of the 
surface to be travelled over and the fact that 
brake pedal reactions will be different to those 
experienced on a non-ABS vehicle.
NOTE: On each initial start up a faint whirring 
sound can be heard, this is part of the brake 
system self check and is not a cause for 
concern.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Always apply the parking brake fully 
whenever you park.
DO NOT rely on the parking brake to 
operate effectively if the vehicle has been 
subjected to immersion in mud and water 
(see ‘Off-Road Driving’ section). 
						

							Brakes
106
The purpose of the anti-lock braking system 
(ABS) is to allow efficient braking without wheel 
locking - thereby allowing the driver to retain 
steering control of the vehicle whilst braking.
Under normal braking conditions, (where 
sufficient road surface friction exists to reliably 
bring the vehicle to a halt without the wheels 
locking), ABS will not be activated. However, 
should the braking force exceed the available 
adhesion between the tyres and the road 
surface, then ABS will automatically come into 
operation. This will be recognisable by a rapid 
pulsation felt through the brake pedal.
In an on-road emergency situation full braking 
effort should always be applied even when the 
road surface is slippery. The anti-lock braking 
system constantly monitors the speed of each 
wheel and varies braking pressure to each, 
according to the amount of traction available, 
thereby ensuring that the wheels do not lock.
WARNING
DO NOT pump the brake pedal at any time; 
this will interrupt operation of the system and 
may increase braking distance.Warning light
The anti-lock braking system 
incorporates a monitoring system, 
which checks that all the electrical 
components are in working order, as soon as 
the starter switch is turned on and also 
continuously during your journey.
The warning light on the instrument panel is an 
important part of this system. The light should 
illuminate for approximately 3 seconds when 
the starter switch is turned to position ‘II’ and 
then extinguish.
If the light illuminates while driving, or remains 
illuminated for more than 3 seconds after the 
starter switch is turned on, a fault has been 
detected by the self monitoring system and full 
ABS control may not be available - consult your 
dealer at the earliest opportunity.
The normal braking system remains fully 
operational and is not affected by partial or full 
loss of the ABS. However, braking distances 
may increase. 
						

							Brakes
107
Additional operating information
While anti-lock braking is designed to operate 
equally effectively in ‘off-road’ driving 
conditions, on certain surfaces total reliance on 
the system may be unwise - remember, in 
normal circumstances, anti-lock braking 
operates only after one or more roadwhels has 
reached the limit of its grip. It cannot reliably 
compensate for driver error or inexperience on 
difficult off-road surfaces.
Note the following:
•Under ABS control, heavy braking on a dry 
road may produce tyre noise and slight 
marking of the road surface. Neither need 
cause concern.
•On soft or deep surfaces such as powdery 
snow, sand or gravel, and on extremely 
rough ground, the braking distance required 
by the anti-lock braking system may be 
greater than those achievable with a 
non-ABS system, even though improved 
steering would be experienced. This is 
because the natural action of locked wheels 
on soft surfaces is to build up a wedge of 
surface material in front of the wheels, 
which assists in stopping.
•The driver should always take account of the 
surface to be travelled over and the fact that 
brake pedal reactions will be different from 
those experienced on a non-ABS vehicle.
•When maximum braking is required on 
loose or bumpy surfaces, full braking effort 
should be applied.
•If the vehicle is stopped on a very steep 
slope where little traction is available, it may 
slide with the wheels locked because there 
is no wheel rotation to signal movement to 
the ABS. To counteract this, briefly release 
the brakes to permit some wheel 
movement, then re-apply the brakes to 
allow the system to gain control at a suitable 
speed.•Before driving off-road read and thoroughly 
understand the ‘Off-road driving’ section of 
this handbook. 
						

							Traction Control
108
Trac tion  Co ntrolELECTRONIC TRACTION CONTROL
The purpose of electronic traction control is to 
maintain forwad or rearward momentum of he 
vehicle when one or more wheels are spinning 
while others have good grip, eg. if one wheel is 
on ice and others are on tarmac. The system 
works by applying the brake to a spinning wheel 
in order to transfer torque to the remaining 
wheels.
NOTE: Traction control can operate up to 
speeds of 62 mph (100 km/h).
Warning light
The instrument panel has a traction 
control warning (TC) which 
illuminates for a minimum of 2 
seconds whenever the system is active and also 
illuminates as a bulb check (for approximately 
3 seconds) when the starter switch is turned to 
position ‘II’.
If there is a fault with the system, the warning 
light will illuminate continuously and remain 
illuminated when the vehicle is stopped, in 
which case you should contact your dealer at 
the earliest opportunity.
NOTE: Faults with the ETC system will 
invariably cause the Hill Descent Control 
warning light to illuminate too. In most cases 
the ABS and brake system lights will also 
illuminate. 
						

							Hill Descent Control
109
Hill Descent ControlHILL DESCENT CONTROL
Hill Descent Control (HDC) operates in 
conjunction with the anti-lock braking system 
to provide greater control in off-road situations 
particularly when descending severe gradients.
To select HDC
HDC can be selected with the vehicle in any 
gear, but will only operate when the transfer 
gearbox is in low range, gears are engaged with 
the vehicle travelling at less than 31 mph (50 
km/h).
Press the switch (illustrated above) to select 
HDC.
If low range gears are engaged, the HDC 
information light (GREEN) on the instrument 
panel will illuminate (if low range gears have 
NOT been selected, the light will flash and the 
warning chime will sound continuously).
To deselect HDC, press the switch a second 
time (the information light will extinguish and a 
single warning sound will chime).Hill Descent Control in action
During a descent, if engine braking is 
insufficient to control the vehicle speed, HDC (if 
selected) automatically operates the brakes to 
slow the vehicle and maintain a speed relative 
to the selected gear and the accelerator pedal 
position.
When driving off-road, HDC can be 
permanently selected, to ensure that control is 
maintained whenever low range gears are 
engaged. ABS and traction control are still fully 
operational and will assist if the need arises. 
NOTE: With HDC selected, gear changes can be 
carried out in the normal way.
If the brake pedal is depressed when HDC is 
active, HDC is overridden and the brakes will 
perform as normal (a pulsation might be felt 
through the brake pedal). If the brake pedal is 
then released, HDC will recommence operating 
if necessary.
In extreme circumstances, the HDC system 
may cause brake temperatures to exceed their 
pre-set limits. If this occurs, the HDC ‘failure’ 
warning light (AMBER) will start to flash and 
the warning chime will sound continuously. 
During this time HDC will function as normal.
To avoid further cause for brake temperatures 
to rise, engage an appropriate low gear for 
steep descents and avoid descending hills at 
higher than the minimum descent speed. If the 
‘failure’ amber warning light continues to flash, 
the HDC system will gradually fade out (see 
‘HDC fade-out’, page 110) and the HDC 
information light may extinguish.
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