Land Rover Discovery Series Ii 2001my Owners Handbook Nas Rover

							Towing
120
TOWING WEIGHT CHART
Loading descriptionSuspension 
Ty p eMax. Trailer 
WeightTongue 
WeightMax. Vehicle Weight
Trailer without brakes All 1650 lb 115 lb
-
Trailer with brakes, off-roadAll 2200 lb 155 lb-
Trailer with brakes, on-road 
with vehicle at Gross Vehicle 
Weight Coil spring 4410 lb 330 lb (1)710 lb (equivalent to driver, 
three passenger’s and 
110 lb luggage) 
(2)
Self leveling 4410 lb 330 lb (1)900 lb (equivalent to driver 
and five passenger’s) (2)
Maximum towing capacity 
on-road in high range (3)Coil spring 5500 lb 385 lb 450 lb (equivalent to driver 
and 2 passenger’s)
Self leveling 5500 lb 550 lb 600 lb (equivalent to driver 
and 3 passengers)
Maximum towing capacity 
on-road in low range 
(3)Coil spring 7700 lb 550 lb 450 lb (equivalent to driver 
and 2 passenger’s)
Self leveling 7700 lb 550 lb 600 lb (equivalent to driver 
and 3 passengers)
(1) It is permissible to increase the tongue weight to a maximum of 550 lb, however the vehicle payload 
and rear axle loads must be reduced to keep within the GVW and maximum rear axle load.
(2) High and low gears may be used when loaded to these conditions, but changes between the two 
ranges should not be made while the vehicle is in motion.
(3) All occupants should be seated in the first and second row seats. 
						

							Load Carrying
121
L oa d Ca rryingLUGGAGE ANCHOR POINTS
Four fixing points are provided in the rear 
luggage compartment floor to assist in safely 
securing large items of luggage.
WARNING
DO NOT carry unsecured equipment, tools or 
luggage which could move and cause 
personal injury in the event of an accident or 
emergency maneuver either on or off-road.
STORAGE BINS
Some vehicles are equipped with storage bins 
on each side of the loadspace. Raise the lid to 
open. 
H2561
H2560 
						

							Load Carrying
122
ROOF RACKS 
The roof rack system comprises two side rails 
permanently fixed to the roof of the vehicle. 
Cross bars available as an accessory from a 
Land Rover retailer.WARNING
To avoid the risk of personal injury or death, 
DO NOT permit children or any other person to 
travel on the roof rack (or any access ladder) 
whilst the vehicle is in motion.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Always observe the following precautions:
•The MAXIMUM load for approved roof 
rack systems (including the weight of 
the rack itself) is 110 kg (50 kg) for 
normal road use and 66 lb (30 kg) 
off-road.
•A loaded roof rack can reduce the 
stability of the vehicle, particularly 
when cornering and encountering cross 
winds.
•All loads should be distributed as far 
forward as possible, and secured within 
the periphery of the roof rack system.
•Only fit roof racks that have been 
designed for your vehicle. If in doubt, 
consult your dealer.
•Driving off-road with a loaded roof rack 
is not recommended. If it is necessary 
to stow luggage on the roof rack while 
driving off-road, the maximum weight 
capacity is limited to 66 lb (30 kg) and 
all loads MUST be removed before 
traversing side slopes. 
						

							123
Off-Road Driving
Off-Road Driving
BEFORE YOU DRIVE  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  127
BASIC OFF-ROAD TECHNIQUES  . . . . . . . . . . . .  127
AFTER DRIVING OFF-ROAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  130
SERVICING REQUIREMENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  130
Driving Techniques
DRIVING ON SOFT SURFACES & DRY SAND  . .  131
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
(ice, snow, mud, wet grass). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  131
DRIVING ON ROUGH TRACKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  131
CLIMBING STEEP SLOPES  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  132
DESCENDING STEEP SLOPES . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  133
TRAVERSING A SLOPE  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  133
NEGOTIATING A ‘V’ SHAPED GULLY . . . . . . . . .  134
DRIVING IN EXISTING WHEEL TRACKS  . . . . . .  134
CROSSING A RIDGE  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  134
CROSSING A DITCH  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  134
WADING  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  135 
						

							124 
						

							Off-Road Driving
125
Off-Road Driving
Off-Road DrivingBEFORE YOU DRIVE
Before venturing off-road, it is absolutely         
essential that inexperienced drivers become 
fully familiar with the vehicles controls, in 
particular the transfer gearbox, and also study 
the off-road driving techniques described on 
the following pages.
WARNING
Off-road driving can be hazardous!
•DO NOT take unnecessary risks and be 
prepared for emergencies at all times.
•Your Discovery has a higher ground 
clearance and hence a higher centre of 
gravity than an ordinary passenger car.  
An abrupt maneuver at an inappropriate 
speed or on an unstable surface could 
cause the vehicle to go out of control or 
rollover.
•Familiarize yourself with the 
recommended driving techniques in order 
to minimize risks to yourself, your vehicle 
AND your passengers.
•Always ensure that seat belts are worn for 
personal protection while driving on-road 
or off-road.
•DO NOT drive off-road alone or without 
letting someone know where you are going 
and when you plan to return.
BASIC OFF-ROAD TECHNIQUES
These basic driving techniques are an 
introduction to the art of off-road driving and do 
not necessarily provide the information needed 
to successfully cope with every single off-road 
situation.
We strongly recommend that owners who 
intend to drive off-road frequently, should seek 
as much additional information and practical 
experience as possible.
Before driving off-road it is important that you 
check the condition of the wheels and tyres and 
that the tyre pressures are correct.  Worn or 
incorrectly inflated tyres will adversely affect 
the performance, stability and safety of the 
vehicle.
Gear selection
On automatic models, with the main selector 
lever set at ‘D’, the gearbox automatically 
provides the correct gear for the appropriate 
gear range selected (HIGH or LOW). Remember 
that position ‘1’ will hold the gearbox in first 
gear to give maximum engine braking when 
required.
HIGH range gears should be used whenever 
possible - only change to LOW range when 
ground conditions become very difficult or 
gradients are steep.
‘Manual’ mode
Press the mode switch whilst the automatic 
gearbox is in Low range to select ‘Manual’ 
mode; this enables the transmission to function 
as a manual gearbox locking the gearbox into 
whichever gear position has been selected 
(‘D’ = 4th gear), providing maximum vehicle 
control and engine braking - ideal for use in 
severe off-road conditions.
NOTE: Changing from Low to High range will 
automatically cancel ‘Manual’ mode.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
•DO NOT drive if the fuel level is low - 
undulating ground and steep inclines 
could cause fuel starvation to the 
engine and consequent damage to the 
catalytic converter.
•As a precaution against accidental loss, 
remove the towing eye cover from the 
front spoiler before driving off-road 
(see ‘TOWING EYES’, page 184). 
						

							Off-Road Driving
126
Braking
As far as possible, vehicle speed should be 
controlled through correct gear selection and 
the use of Hill Descent Control (HDC). 
Application of the brake pedal should be kept to 
a minimum. In fact, if the correct gear and HDC 
have been selected, braking will be largely 
unnecessary.
If the brake pedal is depressed when HDC is 
active, HDC is overridden and the brakes will 
perform as normal.  If the brake pedal is then 
released, HDC will recommence operating, if 
necessary.
Use of engine for braking
Before descending steep slopes, stop the 
vehicle at least its length before the descent, 
engage the parking brake, then engage LOW 
range and then select first or second gear (‘1’ or 
‘2’ for automatic transmission) depending on 
the severity of the incline.
While descending the slope, it should be 
remembered that the engine will provide 
sufficient braking effort to control the rate of 
descent, and that the brakes should not be 
applied.
Accelerating
Use the accelerator with care - any sudden 
surge of power may induce wheel spin and, 
therefore, invoke unnecessary operation of 
traction control, or in extreme conditions could 
lead to loss of control of the vehicle.Steering
WARNING
DO NOT hold the steering wheel with your 
thumbs inside the rim - a sudden ‘Kick’ of the 
wheel as the vehicle negotiates a rut or 
boulder could seriously injure them. ALWAYS 
grip the wheel on the outside of the rim (as 
shown) when traversing uneven ground.
Survey the ground before driving
Before negotiating difficult terrain, it is wise to 
carry out a preliminary survey on foot. This will 
minimize the risk of your vehicle getting into 
difficulty through a previously unnoticed 
hazard.
H2543 
						

							Off-Road Driving
127
Ground clearance
Dont forget to allow for ground clearance 
beneath the chassis, axles and under the front 
and rear bumpers. Note that the axle 
differentials are situated BELOW the chassis 
and are positioned slightly to the right of the 
centre of the vehicle. Note also that there are 
other parts of the vehicle which may come into 
contact with the ground - take care not to 
ground the vehicle.
Ground clearance is particularly important at 
the bottom of steep slopes, or where wheel ruts 
are unusually deep and where sudden changes 
in the slope of the ground are experienced.
On soft ground, the axle differentials will clear 
their own path in all but the most difficult 
conditions. However, on frozen, rocky or hard 
ground, hard contact between the differentials 
and the ground will generally result in the 
vehicle coming to a sudden stop.
ALWAYS attempt to avoid obstacles that may 
foul the chassis or axle differentials.
Self-leveling suspension
On vehicles equipped with self-leveling 
suspension, the rear suspension can be raised 
to increase departure angles and ground 
clearance at the rear of the vehicle (see 
‘SELF-LEVELING SUSPENSION*’, page 113). 
For additional information, see ‘DIMENSIONS’, 
page 209.Loss of traction
If the vehicle is immobilised due to loss of tyre 
grip, the following hints could be of value:
•Avoid prolonged wheel spin; this will only 
make matters worse.
•Remove obstacles rather than forcing the 
vehicle to cross them.
•Clear clogged tyre treads.
•Reverse as far as possible, then attempt an 
increased speed approach - additional 
momentum may overcome the obstacle.
•Brushwood, sacking or any similar material 
placed in front of the tyres may improve tyre 
grip.
CD Autochanger
Playing CDs while negotiating arduous off-road 
terrain is not recommended.  Severe jolting of 
the vehicle may disturb the operation of the 
autochanger, causing the disc to ‘jump’ or 
‘skip’. 
						

							Off-Road Driving
128
AFTER DRIVING OFF-ROAD
SERVICING REQUIREMENTS
Vehicles operated in arduous conditions, 
particularly on dusty, muddy or wet terrain, and 
vehicles undergoing frequent or deep wading 
conditions will require more frequent servicing.  
See ‘OWNER MAINTENANCE’, page 144 and 
contact a Land Rover dealer for advice.
After wading in salt water or driving on sandy 
beaches, use a hose to wash the underbody 
components and any exposed body panels with 
fresh water. This will help to protect the 
vehicles cosmetic appearance and help prevent 
corrosion.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Before rejoining the public highway, or 
driving at speeds above 25 mph (40 km/h), 
consideration should be given to the 
following:
•Wheels and tyres must be cleaned of 
mud and inspected for damage - ensure 
that there are no lumps or bulges in the 
tyres or exposure of the ply or cord 
structure.
•If wheels and tyres are not cleaned 
properly, damage to the wheels, tyres, 
braking system and suspension 
components could occur.
•Brake discs and calipers should be 
examined and any stones or grit that 
may affect braking efficiency removed. 
						

							Driving Techniques
129
Driving TechniquesDRIVING ON SOFT SURFACES & DRY 
SAND
The ideal technique for driving on soft sand 
requires the vehicle to be kept moving at all 
times - soft sand causes excessive drag on the 
wheels resulting in a rapid loss of motion  
once driving momentum is lost. For this 
reason, gear changing should be avoided.
Select the highest suitable gear and REMAIN in 
that gear until a firm surface is reached. It is 
generally advisable to use LOW range gears, as 
they will enable you to accelerate through 
worsening conditions without the risk of being 
unable to restart.
Stopping the vehicle on soft ground, in sand 
or on an incline
If you do stop the vehicle, remember:
Starting on an incline or in soft ground or sand 
may be difficult.  Always park on a firm level 
area, or with the vehicle facing downhill.
To avoid wheel spin, select ‘D’ and use the 
MINIMUM throttle necessary to get the vehicle 
moving.
If forward motion is lost, avoid excessive use of 
the throttle - this will cause wheel spin and tend 
to dig the vehicle into the sand. Clear sand from 
around the tyres and ensure that the chassis 
and axles are not bearing on the sand before 
again attempting to move.
If the wheels have sunk, use an air bag lifting 
device or high lift jack to raise the vehicle, and 
then build up sand under the wheels so that the 
vehicle is again on level ground. If a restart is 
still not possible, place ladders or other load 
spreading aids beneath the wheels.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
(ice, snow, mud, wet grass)  
•Select the highest gear possible. 
•Drive away using the MINIMUM throttle 
possible.
•Drive slowly at all times, keeping braking to 
a minimum and avoiding violent 
movements of the steering wheel.
DRIVING ON ROUGH TRACKS
Although rough tracks can sometimes be 
negotiated in normal drive, on very rough 
tracks, engage LOW range to enable a steady,
low speed to be maintained without constant 
use of the brake pedal.