Land Rover Freelander 2003my Owners Handbook 2nd Edition Nas Rover

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							Off-Road Driving
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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 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. 
•Be prepared for emergencies at all times.
•Your vehicle has higher ground clearance 
and hence a higher center 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.
•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 in all off-road driving 
conditions.
•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.
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 tires and 
that the tire pressures are correct. Worn or 
incorrectly inflated tires will adversely affect the 
performance, stability and safety of the vehicle.
Gear selection 
With the main selector lever set at ‘D’, the 
gearbox automatically provides the correct gear 
for the majority of off-road conditions. 
Remember that position ‘1’ will hold the 
gearbox in first gear to give maximum engine 
braking when required.
When descending very steep slopes, always 
select position ‘1’ and Hill Descent Control 
(HDC).
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. 
						

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Hill descent control (HDC)
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 accelerator pedal position 
When driving off-road, HDC can be 
permanently engaged, to ensure that control is 
maintained whenever gear selector positions ‘1’ 
or ‘R’ are selected. ABS and Traction control are 
still fully operational and will assist if the need 
arises.
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 
minimise the risk of your vehicle getting into 
difficulty through a previously unnoticed 
hazard.
H2410A 
						

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Ground clearance
Dont forget to allow for ground clearance 
beneath the body and under the front and rear 
bumpers. Note that the suspension arms are 
situated below the body. 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.
ALWAYS attempt to avoid obstacles that may 
foul the underside of the vehicle.
Loss of traction
If the vehicle is immobilised due to loss of tire 
grip, the following hints could be of value:
•Remove obstacles rather than forcing the 
vehicle to cross them.
•Clear clogged tire 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 tires may improve tire 
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’.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 166 and 
contact a Land Rover retailer 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
Before rejoining the public highway, or 
driving at speeds above 25 mph (40 km/h), 
consideration should be given to the 
following:
•Wheels and tires must be cleaned of 
mud and inspected for damage - ensure 
there are no lumps or bulges in the 
tires, or exposure of the ply or cord 
structure.
•If wheels and tires are not cleaned 
properly, damage to the wheels, tires, 
braking system and suspension 
components could occur.
•Brake discs and callipers should be 
examined and any stones or grit that 
may affect braking efficiency removed.
•The underside of the vehicle should be 
checked for damage, especially the 
suspension air springs and dampers.
•Any damage to paint or protective 
coatings, should be rectified by a Land 
Rover retailer as soon as possible. 
						

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Driving T ec hniqu esDRIVING 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.
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’ (Drive) 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 tires and ensure that the body is 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 sand mats or ladders 
beneath the wheels.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
(ice, snow, mud, wet grass)
•Select ‘D’ (Drive) and 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. 
						

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CLIMBING STEEP SLOPES
ALWAYS follow the fall line of the slope - 
travelling diagonally could encourage the 
vehicle to slide broadside down the slope.
Select gear selector position ‘1’ and engage hill 
descent control (HDC). 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 parking brakes.
2.Restart the engine if necessary.
3.Engage ‘R’ (Reverse).
4.Select hill descent control (HDC), if not 
already selected. 
5.Release the parking brake. 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.
7.If the vehicle begins to slide, accelerate 
slightly to allow the tires 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, or HDC and the 
braking effect of the gearbox will be lost. 
						

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DESCENDING STEEP SLOPES
WARNING
Failure to follow these instructions may cause 
the vehicle to roll over.
•Stop the vehicle at least a vehicle length 
before the start of the slope and engage gear 
selector position ‘1’ and hill descent control 
(HDC).
•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.
•Once level ground is reached, select a 
suitable gear range for the next stage of 
your journey.
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.
•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.
H3446
H3447 
						

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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.
CROSSING A RIDGE
Approach at right angles so that both front 
wheels cross the ridge together - an angled 
approach could cause diagonally opposite 
wheels lifting from the ground at the same time.
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 body and front bumper being 
trapped on opposite sides of the ditch.
H3448
H3449 
						

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WADING
CAUTION: The maximum advisable wading 
depth is 16 inches (0,4 m).
CAUTION: Severe electrical damage may occur 
if the vehicle remains stationary for any length 
of time when the water level is above the door 
sills.
If the depth of water is likely to exceed 16 
inches (0,4 m), the following precautions 
should be observed:
•Fix a plastic sheet in front of the radiator 
grille to prevent water from soaking the 
engine and mud from blocking the radiator.
•Ensure that the silt bed beneath the water is 
free of obstacles and firm enough to 
support the vehicles weight and provide 
sufficient traction.
•Ensure that the engine air intake is clear of 
the water level.
•Select a low gear and maintain sufficient 
throttle to prevent the engine from stalling. 
This is particularly important if the exhaust 
pipe is under water.
•Drive slowly into the water and accelerate to 
a speed which causes a bow wave to form; 
then maintain that speed.
At all times, keep all the doors fully closed.After wading
•Immediately after wading, remove any 
protective covering from in front of the 
radiator grille.
•DO NOT rely on the parking brake to hold the 
vehicle stationary until the brakes are 
thoroughly dried out; in the meantime, leave 
the vehicle parked with the gear selector in 
‘P’ (Park).
•Drive the vehicle a short distance and apply 
the foot brake to check that the brakes are 
fully effective.
•If the water was particularly muddy, remove 
any blockages (mud and leaves) from the 
radiator to reduce the risk of overheating.
•If deep water is regularly negotiated, check 
all oils for signs of water contamination - 
contaminated oil can be identified through 
its ‘milky’ appearance. In addition, check the 
air filter element for water ingress and 
replace if wet - consult a Land Rover retailer 
if necessary.
•If salt water is frequently negotiated, 
thoroughly wash the underbody 
components and exposed body panels with 
fresh water.
NOTE: Vehicles required to undergo frequent or 
deep wading conditions will require more 
frequent servicing. Contact a Land Rover 
retailer for advice. 
						

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On-Road Driving
On-Road Driving
INSTRUMENTS AND WARNING LIGHTS . . . . . .  141
POWER ASSISTED STEERING . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  141
WARMING UP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  141
VEHICLE HEIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  141
DRIVING PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  142
FUEL ECONOMY  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  143
BREAKDOWN SAFETY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  143