Land Rover Lr3 Owners Handbook 2004 Rover

							211
Terrain Response
R
Driver over-ride options
All systems will be set to optimum parameters 
for the terrain conditions reflected in the choice 
of control program. Two of the systems 
controlled by Terrain Response:
•Air Suspension
•Hill Descent Control
may also be operated independently by the 
driver.
In some special programs, the Terrain 
Response system will switch on HDC and in low 
range the system will automatically move the 
suspension to off-road height.
WARNING
This height increase will start regardless of 
whether the vehicle is moving or not.
Both the HDC and ride height automatic 
selections can be cancelled by the driver at any 
time. Conversely, if HDC or a specific ride 
height has not been automatically selected by 
the system, the driver can always choose to 
operate it as normal at any time.
Whether the HDC or ride height options are 
being brought in automatically by the system, 
or manually by the driver, the changes of state 
will be confirmed through the message display 
and by the individual system information 
indicators. Use of the system in the special 
programs, particularly in low range, may 
prompt some driving advice and warnings as 
well as additional information to be displayed 
on the message center.
Note: Transmission gear selection can be 
overridden by using the CommandShift 
function on the gearbox to lock the vehicle in a 
particular gear. 
						

							Terrain Response
212
L
Operation
A rotary knob just behind the gear lever is 
rotated to select the required special program. 
When the selector reaches either end of the 
selection range, it can be turned further, but 
doing so has no effect.
 In addition to the Terrain Response General 
setting, four special programs are available:
•Grass/gravel/snow (also includes ice)
•Mud/ruts
•Sand
•Rock Crawl
When the ignition is turned on, the graphics 
around the control knob are illuminated, with 
the active program highlighted in amber. The 
brightness of the graphics night illumination is 
controlled as part of the instrument’s 
illumination control; the brightness of the 
amber lighting is high or low depending on the 
use of the vehicle’s headlamps.
If a Special Program is active, the Special 
Program symbol will also be displayed on the 
instrument pack message center.If the Mud-Ruts, Sand or Rock Crawl special 
programs are selected when the ignition is 
switched off, then the system will remember for 
approximately six hours which program was 
selected, and return to that program once the 
ignition is switched back on.
The system indicates, via the message center, 
that the previously selected special program is 
still selected. After more than six hours, the 
system will automatically revert back to the 
General program (Special programs off).
H5616G
H5618G 
						

							213
Terrain Response
R
Terrain Response General
When the Terrain Response 
special programs are off, the 
system will be in its General 
program. This will be indicated by the above 
symbol being displayed briefly on the message 
center. Sub-systems will adapt to the prevailing 
terrain conditions and select control settings 
based on the conditions sensed.
This program setting is compatible with all on- 
and off-road terrain conditions. Normal 
conditions in which it is not necessary to select 
a specific program include driving on surfaces 
that closely match a hard road surface. Dry 
cobbles, Tarmac or even wooden planks are all 
included in the scope which consists of hard 
supportive surfaces with no loose coating of 
water, dust or similar material.
It is recommended that a special program be 
deselected once the specific conditions for its 
use no longer prevail. This is done by turning 
the selector knob back to the General program 
position.
When a special program is deselected, all 
vehicle systems will be returned to their normal 
control settings. The one exception is HDC, 
which will remain active if it was manually 
selected previously. Also, as a precaution, the 
vehicle will change from raised to normal ride 
height only when moving.Grass-Gravel-Snow
Use this program for surfaces 
where the underlying base is fairly 
firm but a coating of other material 
gives a tendency to slip. The coating can be 
water, slime, grass, snow or loose gravel, shale 
or pebbles, or even a thin coating of sand. This 
program should also be selected in icy 
conditions.
In this special program the Terrain Response 
systems will select settings to give the best 
traction, handling and vehicle control for 
predominantly slippery conditions. Hill Descent 
Control (see HILL DESCENT CONTROL*, 200) 
will be engaged automatically in low range, but 
can be manually deselected.
In slippery conditions it is often beneficial to 
start off in a higher gear than usual, for 
example, second gear in HIGH range or third 
gear in LOW range.
For use of the vehicle with snow chains fitted, 
see SNOW CHAINS, 273.
Note: When in deep snow, if the vehicle is 
struggling for forward traction or is stuck, then 
switching off Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) 
may be an advantage. If DSC is switched off, 
then it must be switched back on as soon as the 
difficulty is overcome. 
						

							Terrain Response
214
L
Mud-Ruts
Use this program when traversing 
ground that is not only muddy or 
deeply rutted but possibly soft and 
uneven to the point of demanding maximum 
axle displacement. This unevenness can also be 
that brought about by sizeable wooden debris 
in the form of roots, brushwood, small logs, 
etc.
This acts like the previous program, except that 
it selects settings for the individual systems 
that optimise traction and vehicle control for 
muddy/rutted driving conditions, with driver 
over-ride options as before. The program is 
available in HIGH and LOW range, but LOW 
range is recommended.
It is anticipated that this program will usually be 
used in low range. If not, the driver will be 
prompted to consider selecting low range. If the 
Mud-Ruts program and low range are selected 
together, the vehicle’s ride height will be raised 
automatically.Sand
Use this program to drive on soft 
and predominantly dry, yielding 
sandy ground, such as dry 
beaches, dunes and sand deserts. Also 
consider using this program for deep gravel.
The Sand special program uses the control 
settings and software logic best suited to 
driving on sand, with the driver-override option 
as before.
In instances where the sand is damp or wet and 
soggy, the conditions are better addressed by 
the use of mud/ruts special program.
Where the sand is extremely soft and dry and of 
a depth that allows the wheels to sink well into 
it, there may be additional benefit in switching 
off the Dynamic Stability Control, see 
Deactivating DSC operation, 198. 
						

							215
Terrain Response
R
Rock Crawl
Use this program to cross wet or 
dry, solid, unyielding ground, 
such as clusters of boulders, 
which demands high levels of road-wheel 
displacement and careful vehicle control. This 
program would also be used for crossing river 
beds strewn with large rock features 
submerged below water.
Unlike the other options, Rock Crawl is only 
selectable in LOW range. If selection is 
attempted in HIGH range, the special program 
selection will NOT be accepted and the driver 
will be prompted to select LOW range. This 
special program will utilise system control 
settings to optimise the vehicle suspension and 
traction system for the conditions, which are 
likely to require extreme suspension 
articulation and good low-speed control.
When a special program requires increased air 
suspension height, the system will 
automatically select it, unless it suspects that a 
trailer is attached because an electric load is 
seen on the trailer socket.
A message will be displayed on the message 
center.
Caution: Selection of a wholly inappropriate 
special program for the prevailing terrain 
conditions will not endanger the driver or 
immediately damage the vehicle. However, if 
continued, such an action will impair the 
vehicle’s response to those conditions and 
will reduce the durability of the suspension 
and drive systems.
Inappropriate special program selectionIf an inappropriate special program is 
attempted to be selected - such as choosing 
Rock Crawl while in HIGH range - the symbol of 
that program will flash amber, an audio warning 
will sound, and the instrument pack message 
center will advise that the chosen special 
program is unavailable and will suggest 
corrective action to be taken.
If, after 60 seconds, the requirements have not 
been met, the warnings will cease and the 
message center will show which program 
remains active.
Should the system become partly inoperable 
for any reason, it may not be possible to select 
certain special programs and a warning will be 
given when selection of an affected program is 
attempted. If the system should become totally 
inoperable, all of the control program symbols 
will be switched off and the message center will 
display a text message.
The air suspension system provides an 
automatic levelling function (see AIR 
SUSPENSION, 203). In circumstances where 
the system is used in LOW range, it is most 
likely that mobility and vehicle composure 
would benefit from increased ground clearance. 
MESSAGES
Messages relating to the Terrain Response 
system are displayed on the vehicle’s message 
center.
For an explanation of those messages, see 
MAIN MESSAGE CENTER, 95. 
						

							Towing
216
L
Towing
TOWING
The torque ranges of Land Rover engines allow 
maximum-weight loads to be pulled smoothly 
from standstill and reduce gear changing on 
hills or rough terrain. 
WARNING
To preserve the vehicle’s handling and 
stability, only fit towing accessories that have 
been designed and approved by Land Rover.
DO NOT use lashing eyes or vehicle recovery 
towing eyes to tow a trailer. Use of the towing 
eyes for purposes other than their designed 
intention could result in damage or injury.
It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that the 
towing vehicle and trailer are loaded and 
balanced so that the combination is stable 
when in motion. When preparing your vehicle 
for towing, pay attention to any instructions 
provided by the trailer manufacturer as well as 
to the information that follows.
An equalising or other form of weight 
distributing hitch should NOT be used with your 
vehicle.
Balancing the combination
To ensure optimum stability, it is essential that 
the trailer adopts a level aspect. In other words, 
the trailer must be level with the ground, with 
the towing hitch and trailer drawbar set at the 
same height (note the illustration at the top of 
the page).This is particularly important when towing twin 
axle trailers!
•The trailer should be level with the ground 
when loaded.
•The height of the drawbar hitch point 
should be set so that the trailer is level 
when connected to the loaded vehicle.
Note: Air suspension vehicles should be set 
with the engine running.
Points to remember:
•When calculating the laden weight of the 
trailer, remember to include the weight of 
the trailer PLUS the load.
•The recommended trailer tongue weight 
plus the combined weight of the vehicles 
load-carrying area and rear seat 
passengers must never exceed the 
specified maximum rear axle load (see 
TOWING WEIGHTS, 342).
•Before balancing the combination on 
vehicles equipped with air suspension, 
ensure that:
All doors are closed.
The engine is running.
On-road ride height is selected.
This ensures that the towing hitch is at the 
correct height.
H5620G 
						

							217
Towing
R
•Where the load can be divided between 
trailer and tow vehicle, loading more 
weight into the vehicle will generally 
improve the stability of the combination. 
•Towing regulations vary from country to 
country. Always ensure national 
regulations governing towing weights and 
speed limits are observed (refer to the 
relevant national motoring organisation for 
information). The vehicle’s maximum 
permissible towed weight refers to its 
design limitations and NOT to any specific 
territorial restriction (see TOWING 
WEIGHTS, 342).
Note: When towing do not exceed 100 km/h 
(60 mph), or 80 km/h (50 mph) when the 
compact spare wheel
* is in use, see WHEELS 
& TIRES, 337.
Gear range selection
To avoid overheating the gearbox, it is not 
advisable to tow heavy trailer loads at speeds of 
less than 32 km/h (21 mph) using the main 
gearbox in HIGH range. Select LOW range 
instead.
Vehicle weights
When loading a vehicle to its maximum (gross 
vehicle weight), ensure that axle loading does 
not exceed the permitted maximum values. It is 
your responsibility to limit the vehicle load in 
such a way that neither the maximum axle loads 
nor the gross vehicle weight are exceeded.
WARNING
In the interest of safety, the gross vehicle 
weight, maximum rear axle weight, 
maximum trailer weight and tow hitch load 
(tongue weight) must not be exceeded. 
Exceeding allowable vehicle and axle loads 
will increase the risk of tire and suspension 
failure, increase vehicle brake stopping 
distance and adversely affect vehicle 
handling and stability. This may result in a 
crash or vehicle rollover.
Tongue weight
WARNING
The tongue weight plus the combined weight 
of the vehicles load carrying area and rear 
seat passengers must never exceed the 
specified maximum rear axle load (see 
TOWING WEIGHTS, 342).
Trailer socket
The vehicle’s electrical system is configured to 
support all towing requirements and the 
electrical socket fitted will comply with legal 
requirements for the specific territory.
All towing circuits are independently fused in a 
satellite fuse box located in the lower loadspace 
trim panel, see Tow hitch fuses, 314. 
						

							Towing
218
L
Caution: For all of the towing conditions 
described, it is important that the following 
points are observed:
•All loads in the vehicle should be 
distributed as far forward as possible.
•The maximum Gross Vehicle Weight must 
not be exceeded, see VEHICLE WEIGHTS, 
340.
•The maximum individual axle weights 
must not be exceeded, see VEHICLE 
WEIGHTS, 340
•Changes between high and low range 
should not be made while the vehicle is 
on the move.
•Total trailer weight and tongue load can 
be measured with platform scales found 
at highway weighing stations, building 
supply companies, etc.
•The loading capacities and conditions for 
coil sprung and self levelled vehicles are 
different. Read the following section on 
permitted loading conditions for full 
details.ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Tyre pressures:Increase rear pressures of towing vehicle to those for ’Maximum gross 
vehicle weight’ conditions, see WHEELS & TIRES, 337. Ensure trailer tyres are 
at recommended pressures.
Tongue weight:If the vehicle is loaded to the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), the tongue weight 
is limited to 150 kg (330 lb.). If a greater tongue weight is necessary (up to 
250 kg (550 lb.) maximum), vehicle load should be reduced to ensure the 
GVW and rear axle weights are not exceeded - see VEHICLE WEIGHTS, 340, 
for further information.
Breakaway cable 
or secondary 
couplingA breakaway cable or secondary coupling MUST be attached. If the 
trailer/caravan is fitted with brakes, it is usual for an attached breakaway cable 
to operate the brakes in the event of the coupling becoming detached. See 
your trailer manufacturer’s literature. If your trailer does not have a breakaway 
cable, a secondary coupling must be attached. Use a suitable point on the 
towing bracket to securely attach the coupling. It is not advisable to loop 
cables or couplings around the neck of the tow ball as they could slide off. 
						

							219
Towing
R
TRAILER HITCH*
The optional trailer hitch receiver is rated as a 
Class lll. When selecting a drawbar for the 
receiver, the following dimensions must be 
adhered to:
A.The maximum recommended drawbar 
length is 229 mm (9 in.).
B.The maximum recommended drawbar rise 
height is 70 mm (2.75 in.).
C.The minimum recommended drawbar rise 
height is 19 mm (0.75 in.).
Note: A drawbar of 228 mm (9 in.) length with 
a rise of 38 mm (1.5 in.) is recommended for 
use with the Land Rover approved towing hitch.
Consult your retailer for the most up-to-date 
information.
TOW BAR
Your vehicle is fitted with a towing housing 
which will accept a detachable tow bar.
9
3
4
H5791N
A
B
C
H5623N 
						

							Towing
220
L
Detachable tow bar stowage
Five-seater models - the tow bar is stowed 
under an access hatch in the rear loadspace 
floor.Seven-seater models - the tow bar is stowed on 
the left-hand side of the rear loadspace, behind 
an access cover.
H5625N
H5627N