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.
Always ensure that seat belts are worn for
personal protection while either on-road, or
off-road driving.
WARNING
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.
DO NOT drive off-road alone or without
letting someone know where you are going
and when you plan to return.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
As a precaution against accidental loss,
remove the towing eye cover from the
front spoiler before driving off-road (see
Vehicle recovery,in Section 3).
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. 
						

							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 and
the use of Hill Descent Control (HDC).
Application of the brake pedal should be kept
to a minimum. In fact, if the correct range of
gears 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,
Manual mode
Press the mode switch whilst the 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.
Use of engine for braking
Before descending steep slopes, stop the
vehicle at least its length before the descent,
engage LOW range and then select gear
selector position 1 or 2 in the main gearbox
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.
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
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 previously unnoticed
hazard.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-levelling suspension
On vehicles equipped with self-levelling
suspension, the rear suspension can be raised
to increase departure angles and ground
clearance at the rear of the vehicle (see
self-levelling suspension). More information
can be found in the Towing section. 
						

							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 grip.IMPORTANT INFORMATION
After driving off-road
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 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.
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 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. 
						

							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 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
to improve traction.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 and clutch pedals. 
						

							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. Traction can also
be improved by easing off the accelerator just
before loss of forward motion.
If the vehicle is unable to complete a climb, do
not attempt to turn it around while on the
slope. Instead, adopt the following procedure
to reverse downhill to the foot of the slope.
1.Hold the vehicle stationary using both foot
and hand brakes.
2.Restart the engine if necessary.
3.Engage reverse (R) and LOW range.
4.Select hill descent control (HDC).
5.Release the handbrake. Then release the
foot brake and allow the vehicle to reverse
down the slope using engine braking and
HDC to control the rate of descent.6.Unless it is necessary to stop the vehicle
to negotiate obstructions, DO NOT apply
the brake pedal during the descent - even
a light application may cause the front
wheels to lock, rendering the steering
ineffective.
7.If the vehicle begins to slide, accelerate
slightly to allow the tyres to regain grip.
When the vehicle is back on level ground or
where traction can be regained, a faster
approach will probably enable the hill to be
climbed. However, DO NOT take unnecessary
risks, if the hill is too difficult to climb, find an
alternative route.
WARNING
DO NOT attempt to reverse down a slope
without the engine running, - HDC and the
braking effect of the gearbox will be lost. 
						

							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 are rotating. If
the vehicle begins to slide, the limits of
adhesion have been reached, and it may
be impossible to maintain the minimum
speed relative to the gear selected. In this
case, HDC may automatically accelerate
the vehicle sufficient to maintain
directional stability. DO NOT use the
accelerator or the brakes or attempt to
change gear. HDC will automatically slow
the vehicle down again as soon as
possible.
3.Once level ground is reached, select a
suitable gear for the next stage of your
journey. 
						

							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 passenger weight is evenly
distributed, that all roof rack luggage is
removed and that all other luggage is
properly secured and stowed as low as
possible. Always remember; any sudden
movement of the load could cause the
vehicle to overturn.· Where possible, rear seat passengers
should sit on the uphill side of the vehicle
or, in extreme conditions, should vacate
the vehicle until the sloping ground has
been safely negotiated.
NEGOTIATING A V SHAPED GULLY
Observe extreme caution! Steering up either
of the gully walls could cause the side of the
vehicle to be trapped against the opposite
gully wall.
DRIVING IN EXISTING WHEEL TRACKS
As far as possible allow the vehicle to steer
itself along the bottom of the ruts. However,
always keep a light hold of the steering wheel
to prevent it from spinning free.
Particularly in wet conditions, if the steering
wheel is allowed to spin free, the vehicle may
appear to be driving straight ahead in the ruts,
but in actual fact (due to the lack of traction
caused by the wet ground) is unknowingly on
full right or left lock. Then, when level ground
is reached, or if a dry patch of ground is
encountered, the wheels will find traction and
cause the vehicle to suddenly veer to left or
right. 
						

							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 trapped on opposite sides of
the ditch. On vehicles equipped with
self-levelling suspension, and if the severity of
terrain makes this inevitable, manually
operating the self-levelling suspension to
increase clearance between the ground and
the rear of the vehicle may help.