Land Rover Range Rover Owners Handbook Lm 2nd Edition Exp Rover

							Brakes
140
Off-road driving
While anti-lock braking is designed to operate 
equally effectively in ‘off-road’ driving 
conditions, on certain surfaces total reliance on 
the system may be unwise - remember, in 
normal circumstances, anti-lock braking 
operates only AFTER the wheels have started to 
slip. It cannot reliably compensate for driver
error or inexperience on difficult off-road 
surfaces.
Note the following:
•On soft or deep surfaces such as powdery 
snow, sand or gravel, and on extremely 
rough ground, the braking distance required 
by the anti-lock braking system may be 
greater than for normal braking, even 
though improved steering would be 
experienced. This is because the natural 
action of locked wheels on soft surfaces is 
to build up a wedge of surface material in 
front which assists the wheels to stop.
•If the vehicle is stopped on a very steep 
slope where little traction is available, it may 
slide with the wheels locked because there 
is no wheel rotation to signal movement to 
the ABS. To counteract this, briefly release 
the brakes to permit some wheel 
movement, then re-apply the brakes to 
allow ABS to gain control.
•Before driving off-road read and thoroughly 
understand the ‘Off-road driving’ section of 
this handbook.
Cornering brake control (CBC)
Cornering brake control (CBC) is an advanced 
form of ABS, which maintains vehicle stability 
and steerability when braking whilst cornering 
or changing lanes at speed.Emergency brake assist (EBA)
If the brake pedal is depressed rapidly, EBA 
automatically boosts the braking force to a 
maximum and thus helps to stop the vehicle in 
the shortest possible distance, when a full 
brake application is made. Also, if the driver 
brakes more slowly, but with sufficient brake 
pressure to activate ABS on both front wheels, 
the system automatically increases the braking 
force so that all four wheels are in ABS control, 
optimising the performance of the ABS system.
Pressure should be maintained on the brake 
pedal during the entire brake application. If the 
brake pedal is released, EBA will cease 
operation.
A fault with the EBA system is indicated by 
illumination of the amber brake warning light. 
In the event of a fault, the system should be 
checked by a Land Rover dealer at the earliest 
opportunity.
Electronic brake force distribution (EBD)
Your vehicle is equipped with Electronic Brake 
Force Distribution (EBD), which balances the 
distribution of braking forces between front and 
rear axles, in order to maintain maximum 
braking efficiency under all vehicle loading 
conditions.
For example; under light loads EBD applies less 
effort to the rear brakes to maintain vehicle 
stability, conversely allowing full braking effort 
to the rear wheels when the vehicle is towing or 
is heavily laden.
A fault with the EBD system is indicated by 
illumination of the red brake warning light. If 
this illuminates while the vehicle is being 
driven, gently stop the vehicle as soon as safety 
permit and seek qualified assistance. 
						

							Brakes
141
HANDBRAKE 
To engage the handbrake, pull the lever up (the 
handbrake warning light illuminates).
To release, pull the lever up slightly, depress 
the button and lower the lever (the handbrake 
warning light extinguishes).
Always apply the handbrake fully whenever 
you park.
When parking on a slope, do not rely on the 
handbrake alone to hold the vehicle, always 
select ‘P’ (park) for extra security.
Ensure the parking pawl of the gearbox has fully 
engaged by carefully releasing the foot brake 
and allowing the vehicle to ‘rock’ into ‘P’ (park). 
This is particularly important when LOW range 
is selected.
WARNING
In exceptional cases, if the handbrake has to 
be used to slow or stop the vehicle, do not pull 
the lever up too hard. Keep the button on the 
lever depressed the whole time.
Too violent an application of the handbrake 
could over-brake the rear wheels and cause 
the rear of the vehicle to skid. 
DO NOT rely on the handbrake to operate 
effectively if the vehicle has been subjected 
to immersion in mud and water (see ‘Off-road 
driving’ section).
NOTE: The brake lights do not illuminate when 
the handbrake is applied. 
						

							Dynamic Stability & Traction Control
142
Dy namic Stability & Traction Con trolDYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL (DSC)
WARNING
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) is unable to 
compensate for driver misjudgement. It 
remains the driver’s responsibility to adopt a 
suitable driving style in every driving 
situation. Risks should never be taken on 
account of the additional security afforded by 
the DSC system.
DSC optimises dynamic stability, even in 
critical driving situations. The system controls 
dynamic stability when accelerating and when 
starting from a standstill. Additionally, it 
identifies unstable driving behaviour, such as 
understeering and oversteering and helps to 
keep the vehicle under control by manipulating 
the engine output and applying the brakes at 
individual wheels. Some noise may be 
generated when the brakes are applied. The 
system is ready to operate each time the engine 
is started.
Warning light
The warning light illuminates as a 
bulb and system check when the 
starter switch is turned to position 
‘II’ and should extinguish when the engine is 
running. 
If the warning light flashes, the system is active, 
regulating engine output and brake forces.
If the light fails to extinguish when the engine is 
started, or illuminates when driving, a fault in 
the system has been detected or DSC has been 
manually deselected. The vehicle can still be 
driven with care, but be aware that driving 
characteristics of the vehicle may change in 
adverse conditions.Suspending DSC operation
Land Rover recommend that DSC is operational 
in all normal driving conditions. 
In some driving conditions, where forward 
traction should be maximised, it may be 
beneficial to deactivate DSC. Such conditions 
include:
•To ‘rock’ the vehicle out of a hollow or out of 
a soft surface.
•Starting in deep snow or on a loose surface.
•Driving in deep sand.
•Driving on tracks with deep longitudinal 
ruts.
•Driving through deep mud.
To deactivate DSC, press the DSC switch on the 
fascia (the DSC warning light will illuminate 
continuously). Deactivating DSC has no affect 
on traction control operation. 
NOTE: Driving with DSC deactivated, may add 
additional loads on the brakes - always drive 
with DSC switched on if possible
Reactivating DSC
To reactivate DSC, press the DSC switch on the 
fascia. DSC will automatically reactivate when 
the engine is started.
NOTE: If the battery is discharged or has been 
disconnected, the DSC and ABS warning lights 
will illuminate constantly as a reminder that the 
system is not active. To reactivate the DSC 
system, either turn the steering wheel from lock 
to lock (with the engine running and the vehicle 
stationary), or drive the vehicle for a short 
distance around a curve. When the system is 
reactivated, the warning lights will extinguish 
and the system will be fully active. 
						

							Dynamic Stability & Traction Control
143
ELECTRONIC TRACTION CONTROL (ETC)
ETC is continuously available to boost vehicle 
traction when one or more wheels has a 
tendency to spin, while the others have more 
grip. It operates in conjunction with the DSC 
system. If a wheel is spinning, ETC 
automatically brakes that wheel until it regains 
grip. This braking activity causes the engine 
power to be transferred to the remaining 
wheels. Some noise may be generated when 
the brakes are applied. 
						

							Hill Descent Control
144
Hill Des cen t C ontrolHILL DESCENT CONTROL
Hill Descent Control (HDC) operates in 
conjunction with the anti-lock braking system 
to provide greater control in off-road situations 
particularly when descending severe gradients.
To select HDC
HDC can be selected at any speed if LOW range 
is selected in the transfer gearbox, and can be 
selected at up to 35 km/h if the vehicle is in 
HIGH range. The HDC ‘Information’ warning 
light in the instrument pack will illuminate when 
HDC has been successfully selected.
Move the switch (arrowed) fully rearwards to 
select HDC.If the vehicle speed is too high when an attempt 
to select HDC is made, ‘NO HDC - SLOWDOWN’ 
appears in the message centre and the HDC 
warning light will extinguish when the switch is 
released.
To deselect HDC, move the switch rearwards 
(the warning light will extinguish). If HDC is 
deselected when HDC is operating, the warning 
light will flash as the system ‘fades out’ - 
allowing the vehicle to gradually increase in 
speed.
When used in LOW range, HDC controls the 
vehicle speed more aggressively. Use LOW 
range gears when steep descents are to be 
attempted.
NOTE: If the vehicle speed exceeds 37 mph (60 
km/h) when in HIGH range, HDC will be 
automatically deselected (warning light 
extinguishes). HDC is also automatically 
deselected if the vehicle ignition is switched off 
for more than 6 hours.
Hill Descent Control in action
HDC can be used with the transmission in 
‘Steptronic’ mode, in ‘R’ (reverse) and ‘D’ 
(drive). When in ‘D’, the vehicle will 
automatically select the most appropriate gear.
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 selected gear range and the accelerator 
pedal position.
When driving off-road, HDC can be 
permanently selected, to ensure that control is 
maintained. ABS and traction control are still 
fully operational and will assist if the need 
arises. 
NOTE: With HDC selected, gear changes can be 
carried out in the normal way.
H4095 
						

							Hill Descent Control
145
If the brake pedal is depressed when HDC is 
active, HDC is overridden and the brakes will 
perform as normal (a pulsation might be felt 
through the brake pedal). If the brake pedal is 
then released, HDC will recommence operating 
at a reduced speed.
In extreme circumstances, the HDC system 
may cause brake temperatures to exceed their 
pre-set limits. If this occurs, ‘HDC TEMP. NOT 
AVAIL.’ will be displayed in the message centre. 
HDC will then fade out (warning light flashes) 
and then become temporarily inactive. HDC will 
not be available until the brakes reach an 
acceptable temperature, at which time the 
warning message will disappear from the 
message centre and HDC will, if required, 
resume operating.
If a fault is detected in the HDC system, ‘HDC 
INACTIVE’ will appear in the display. Do not 
attempt a steep descent when HDC is 
unavailable. If a fault has been detected, consult 
your dealer at the earliest opportunity.
HDC fade-out
HDC fade-out gradually decreases the HDC 
brake intervention with the effect that the rate of 
hill descent will increase. If this occurs the HDC 
information light will flash for the period that 
HDC takes to fade. HDC will be disabled 
completely once the descent is complete. 
If required (e.g. the angle of the descent levels 
out significantly), fade-out may be achieved 
deliberately by deselecting HDC while the 
system is operating.
If a fault with the HDC system is detected, or if 
the braking system exceeds a pre-set 
temperature due to extreme conditions, HDC 
will automatically fade out.Warning light
HDC information light - GREEN
The light illuminates briefly as a 
bulb and system check when the 
starter switch is turned to position ‘II’ and also 
when HDC is selected. 
If HDC is selected and the operating conditions 
are met, the light will illuminate continuously.
If the light flashes while HDC is active, normal 
functionality may cease and HDC ‘fade out’ may 
be induced. 
						

							Electronic Air Suspension
146
Ele ctron ic  Air Sus pen sionELECTRONIC AIR SUSPENSION (EAS)
When the engine is running, the EAS operates 
automatically on the vehicle to maintain a level 
or efficient vehicle height regardless of vehicle 
load.
If the height of the vehicle is reduced by 
additional loading (attachment of a trailer, for 
example), the system automatically increases 
air pressure to the springs to compensate for 
the additional weight or changed attitude of the 
vehicle. Similarly, if loads are removed and the 
vehicle height increases in consequence, the 
system will reduce air pressure to bring the 
vehicle back to a level attitude. 
MANUAL OPERATION
Your vehicle is fitted with an electronically 
controlled air suspension system (EAS) which 
provides four different ride height settings 
including an Access mode. These settings 
increase or decrease the height and ground 
clearance of your vehicle to cope with different 
driving conditions. The four height settings are 
as follows:
•Off-road height.
•Standard height.
•Motorway height (not user selectable).
•Access height.
For a more detailed description of the different 
height settings, please refer to the relevant 
passages later in this section.
H3942 
						

							Electronic Air Suspension
147
Before operating EAS
Remember, even if a change of ride height is 
selected, it will NOT take place if any door is 
open.
NOTE: Frequent changes between ride heights 
could cause the compressor to overheat. If this 
occurs, EAS will be fully operational again after 
a few minutes when the compressor has 
cooled.
1. Ride height selector
Push the switch up or down to raise or lower 
the vehicle to the next ride height setting.
2. Ride height indicator panel
When the vehicle is at a particular ride height, 
the corresponding indicator light illuminates. If 
a new ride height is selected, the current 
indicator light remains illuminated and the 
indicator light for the new setting flashes, until 
the new height is reached (the original indicator 
light extinguishes). If the current ride height 
indicator light flashes when a new height is 
selected, the new ride height is invalid and the 
height change will not be performed.
3. Suspension inhibit switch
Press to select inhibit mode (not operational at 
Off-road height), the indicator light in the 
switch illuminates. This prevents automatic or 
manual changes between ride heights. Press 
again to cancel inhibit mode.
Access height switch
Press to lower the vehicle to access height, for 
easier loading/unloading. See ‘ACCESS 
HEIGHT’, page 148, for further information.MOTORWAY HEIGHT
At high speeds, the suspension is 
automatically lowered to motorway 
height to improve ride quality and 
vehicle handling at motorway speeds. The 
motorway height setting is approximately 20 
mm below the standard ride height setting.
The motorway height setting is activated 
automatically when the electronic air 
suspension system detects the vehicle being 
driven at more than 100 km/h, for more than 30 
seconds.
When the system detects that the vehicle speed 
has fallen below 70 km/h for more than one 
minute, the vehicle automatically rises to the 
standard height setting. If the vehicle comes to 
rest while still at motorway height, the vehicle 
will not rise unnecessarily.
If the inhibit button is pressed while in 
motorway height, the vehicle will not 
automatically rise to standard height when the 
vehicle speed falls. Motorway height will be 
maintained until the inhibit switch is pressed 
for a second time, when normal automatic 
height adjustment is resumed.
Motorway height selection is fully automatic 
and cannot be selected manually by the driver.
From motorway height, the driver can manually 
select standard height, by rotating the ride 
height selector up. If the vehicle is travelling at 
less than 25 km/h the vehicle can be lowered to 
access height by rotating the ride height 
selector down. 
						

							Electronic Air Suspension
148
OFF-ROAD HEIGHT
At low speeds, the vehicle height 
can be raised to increase ground 
clearance for when driving 
off-road.
WARNING
DO NOT select off-road height while driving 
on the road, or when the suspension has been 
lowered below standard ride height - any 
sudden or unexpected change to the vehicles 
height or attitude could cause an 
inexperienced driver to lose control, or 
disturb the load/weight distribution within the 
vehicle. 
DO NOT attempt to select off-road height 
while towing. 
To select off-road height, ensure the vehicle is 
travelling at less than 50 km/h and then rotate 
the ride height selector clockwise. The vehicle 
will be raised to 50 mm above the standard ride 
height and the appropriate light on the ride 
height indicator panel will illuminate.
NOTE: The front axle will be raised 10 mm 
higher than the rear axle.
The vehicle will stay at off-road height until 
either standard ride height is selected using the 
ride height selector, or the vehicle speed 
exceeds 50 km/h.
If the vehicle speed is too high when off-road 
height is selected, the standard ride height 
indicator will flash to indicate that the request 
has not been performed. Reduce the vehicle 
speed to below 50 km/h and then select 
off-road height. 
NOTE: Off-road height can NOT be selected if 
the inhibit switch is on and the inhibit function 
can not be selected while at off-road height.
ACCESS HEIGHT
Access height lowers the vehicle to 
40 mm below standard ride height 
and improves accessibility (for 
passengers and luggage). 
Access height can be selected when in any ride 
height, by either pushing the ride height 
selector down when in standard or motorway 
ride height, or by pressing the access height 
switch on the driver’s door switch panel 
(arrowed above).
Access height can be selected when the vehicle 
is travelling at less than 80 km/h. The access 
height indicator light will start flashing, but EAS 
will not start to lower the vehicle to access 
height until the vehicle speed drops to below 
25 km/h. If the vehicle does not come to a rest 
within 65 seconds after the access height 
preselect was requested, or the vehicle speed 
rises above 80 km/h, the access request is 
cancelled and the indicator light stops flashing. 
Access will need to be reselected if required.
H4000 
						

							Electronic Air Suspension
149
NOTE: If the vehicle speed increases to more 
than 30 km/h, when the vehicle is at access 
height, the EAS will automatically reselect 
standard ride height.
If the vehicle is travelling at above 80 km/h 
when access preselect is requested, the 
standard ride height indicator light flashes to 
indicate that the request has not been 
performed.
Access mode should only be selected whilst the 
vehicle is moving. In extreme circumstances, if 
it is necessary to select access height whilst the 
vehicle is stationary, ‘N’ (neutral) should be 
selected and the handbrake applied. Note that 
some noise from the suspension may be heard, 
accompanied by vibrations.
Crawl mode
If it is necessary to manoeuvre the vehicle in an 
area where height is restricted, Crawl mode 
should be selected as follows:
•Select access height and if the vehicle is still 
moving, stop so that access height is 
achieved.
•Press the inhibit switch.
NOTE: If the inhibit switch is pressed before the 
vehicle starts lowering to access height (i.e 
before the vehicle speed drops below 25 km/h, 
the access request is cancelled and the vehicle 
will return to standard height.
The vehicle is now in crawl mode and all manual 
and automatic height changes are inhibited, 
provided the vehicle does not exceed 40 km/h.
If the vehicle speed exceeds 30 km/h, a 
message appears in the message centre 
(accompanied by a warning chime) warning the 
driver to keep the vehicle speed low.WARNING
If vehicle speed exceeds 40 km/h when in 
crawl mode, the mode is cancelled and the 
vehicle will raise to standard ride height. If 
the vehicle is still in an area of restricted 
height, this could seriously damage and trap 
the vehicle.
TOWING A TRAILER
When the electrical plug for a trailer attachment 
is connected to the vehicle socket, the EAS 
controller acts as though the inhibit button is 
activated. The only height change which is 
accepted is a return to standard height, if the 
vehicle is not already at standard height. The 
standard height indicator light and the inhibit 
light are illuminated. Once standard height is 
reached, no other ride height change will be 
available.
WARNING
If the vehicle is at any ride height other than 
standard height, when a trailer is fitted, 
trailer weight distribution and balance may be 
affected when the vehicle returns to standard 
height.