Land Rover Discovery Series Ii Owners Handbook Nas Rover

188 

Off-road driving
189
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 manoeuvre at an inappropriate speed
or on an unstable surface could cause the
vehicle to go out of control.
Familiarise yourself with the recommended
driving techniques in order to minimise risks
to yourself, your vehicle AND your
passengers....

Off-road driving
190 Gear selection
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.
Braking
As far as possible, vehicle speed should be
controlled through correct gear selection...

Off-road driving
191
H2543
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 minimise the risk of your vehicle getting
into difficulty through a...

Off-road driving
192 Loss of traction
If the vehicle is immobilised due to loss of
wheel 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...

Off-road driving
193 DRIVING 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...

Off-road driving
194 CLIMBING STEEP SLOPES
ALWAYS follow the fall line of the slope -
travelling diagonally could encourage the
vehicle to slide broadside down the slope.
Steep climbs will usually require the LOW gear
range. If the surface is loose or slippery, use
sufficient speed in the highest practical gear
to take advantage of your vehicles
momentum. However, too high a speed over a
bumpy surface may result in a wheel lifting,
causing the vehicle to lose traction. In this
case try a slower approach....

Off-road driving
195
H2521
WARNING
Failure to follow these instructions may
cause the vehicle to roll over.
DESCENDING STEEP SLOPES
1.Stop the vehicle at least a vehicle length
before the start of the slope and engage
first gear (1), LOW range and hill descent
control.
2.Unless it is necessary to stop the vehicle
in order to negotiate obstructions,DO NOT
touch the brake pedal during the descent -
the engine and HDC will limit the speed,
keeping the vehicle under perfect control
provided the front wheels...

Off-road driving
196
H2531
TRAVERSING A SLOPE
WARNING
Failure to follow these instructions may
cause the vehicle to roll over
Before crossing a slope ALWAYS observe the
following precautions:
· Check that the ground is firm and not
slippery.
· Check that the wheels on the downhill side
of the vehicle are not likely to drop into
depressions in the ground and that the
uphill wheels will not run over rocks, tree
roots, or similar obstacles that could
suddenly increase the angle of tilt.
· Ensure that...

Off-road driving
197
H2532
CROSSING A RIDGE
Approach at right angles so that both front
wheels cross the ridge together - an angled
approach could cause traction to be lost
through diagonally opposite wheels lifting
from the ground at the same time.
H2530
CROSSING A DITCH
Cross ditches at an angle so that three wheels
always maintain contact with the ground. If a
ditch is approached head on, both front
wheels will drop into the ditch together,
possibly resulting in the chassis and front
bumper being...