SECTION8 Off-roaddriving

Off-roaddriving

This sectionof the handbook is devotedto your vehicle’ssuperboff-roaddriving capabilities. Beforeventuringoff-roadhowever,it is absolutelyessential that inexperienced driversbecomefullyfamiliarwith the vehicle’s controls,in particularthe transfergearbox, and alsostudy the off-roaddrivingtechniques describedon the followingpages. Section Contents Page Basicoff-roadtechniques 217 ........................ Drivingon soft surfaces& dry sand 220 ........ Drivingon slipperysurfaces 220 .................... Drivingon rough tracks 220 ........................... Climbingsteepslopes 221 .............................. Descendingsteepslopes 222 ......................... Traversinga slope 223 ................................... Negotiatinga ’V’ shapedgulley 223 ................ Drivingin existingvehicletracks 223 .............. Crossinga ridge 224 ...................................... Crossinga ditch 224 ....................................... Wading 224 .................................................... Bib Spoiler 225 ...............................................

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WARNING Off-roaddrivingcan be hazardous! • DONOTtake unnecessaryrisks. • Be prepared for emergenciesat all times. • Your Range Roverhas higher ground clearanceand hence a higher centreof gravitythan an ordinarypassengercar.

An abrupt manoeuvreat an inappropriate speed or on an unstable surfacecould cause the vehicleto go out of controlor rollover. • Familiariseyourselfwith the recommendeddrivingtechniquesin order to minimise risksto yourself,your vehicleANDyour passengers. • Alwaysensure that seat belts are worn for personalprotectionin all off-road drivingconditions. • DONOTdriveif the fuel level is low undulating ground and steep inclines could cause fuel starvationto the engine and consequent damage to the catalytic converter. • DONOTdriveoff-roadalone or without letting someone know where you are going and when you plan to return.

NOTE: Removethe CD autochangerbefore arduousoff-roaddriving. BASIC OFF-ROADTECHNIQUES Thesebasicdrivingtechniquesarean introductionto the artof off-roaddrivingand do not necessarilyprovidethe information neededto successfullycope with everysingle off-roadsituation. We stronglyrecommendthat ownerswho intendto driveoff-roadfrequently,should seekas much additionalinformationand practicalexperienceas possible. Gearselection Withthe gearshiftleverset at ’D’,the gearbox automaticallyprovidesthe correctgearfor the appropriategearrangeselected(HIGHor LOW).Rememberthat position ’1’ willhold the gearboxin firstgearto givemaximum enginebrakingwhen required. HIGHrangegearsshould be used whenever possible;only changeto the LOWrangewhen ground conditionsbecomeverydifficult. Uncontrolledspinningof individualwheelswill be limitedby the viscouscouplingunit which is combinedwith the centredifferential. Braking As faras possible,vehiclespeedshould be controlledthrough correctgearselection. Applicationof the brakepedalshould be kept to an absoluteminimum.Harshbrakingon wet, muddy or loosesurfacescould prove dangerous.

NOTE: If the correctgearand gearrangehas been selected,brakingwillbe largely unnecessary.

Useof engine for braking Beforedescendingsteepslopes,stop the vehicleat leastitslengthbeforethe descent, move the gearshiftleverto ’N’,engageLOW rangeand then select ’1’ or ’2’ in the main gearboxdependingon the severityof the incline. whilstdescendingthe slopeit should be rememberedthat the enginewillprovide sufficientbrakingeffortto controlthe rateof descent,and that the brakesshould not be applied.

Accelerating Usethe acceleratorwith care;any sudden surgeof powermay inducewheelspin and resultin lossof controlof the vehicle. Steering

WARNING DONOThold the steeringwheel with your thumbs inside the rim; a sudden ’kick’ of the wheel as the vehiclenegotiates a rut or boulder could seriouslyinjure them. ALWAYS grip the wheel on the outside of the rim (as shown)when traversinguneven ground. Surveythe ground before driving Beforenegotiatingdifficultterrain,it is wiseto carryout a preliminarysurveyon foot. This willminimisethe riskof your vehiclegetting into difficultythrough a previouslyunnoticed hazard.

Groundclearance For seriousoff-roaddriving,ALWAYS remove the bib spoilerextensionfrom the front bumper(iffitted). Don’tforgetto allowfor ground clearance beneaththe chassis,axles,and under the front and rearbumpers.Notethat the axle differentialsaresituatedBELOWthe chassis and arepositionedslightlyto the LEFT of the centreof the vehicle.Notealsothat thereare otherpartsof the vehiclewhichmay come into contactwith the ground; wherepossible, attemptto avoidobstaclesthat may foul the chassisor differentials. Groundclearanceis particularlyimportantat the bottom of a steepslope,or wherewheel rutsareunusuallydeep and wheresudden changesin the slopeof the ground are experienced. On soft ground, the axledifferentialswillclear theirown path in allbut the most difficult conditions.However,on frozen,rockyor hard ground, if the vehicle’sprogressis haltedas a resultof groundingof the chassis,thiswill causethe vehicleto riseautomaticallyto the ’Extendedprofile’ rideheightposition.(see ’Airsuspension’ for furtherdetails).

Loss of traction If the vehicleis immobiledue to lossof tyre grip,the followinghintscould be of value: • Avoidprolongedwheelspin; thiswillonly makemattersworse.The electronic tractioncontrol(ETC)willpreventwheel spin; drivewillbe divertedfrom a spinning wheeland the remainingwheelwillthen providethe tractionnecessaryto overcomedifficultdrivingconditions. • Removeobstaclesratherthan forcingthe vehicleacrossthem. • Clearcloggedtyretreads. • Reverseas faras possible,then attempt an increasedspeedapproach;additional momentum may overcomethe obstacle. • Brushwood,sackingor any similar materialplacedin front of the tyresmay improvetyregrip. IMPORTANTINFORMATION After drivingoff-road Beforerejoiningthe publichighway,or drivingat speedsabove25 mph (40 km/h),considerationshould be givento the following: • Wheelsand tyresmust be cleanedof mud and inspectedfor damageensurethereareno lumpsor bulges in the tyresor exposureof the ply or cord structure. • Brakediscsand calipersshould be examinedand any stonesor gritthat may affectbrakingefficiency removed. Servicingrequirements Vehiclesoperatedin arduousconditions, particularlyon dusty, muddy or wet terrain,and vehiclesundergoingfrequent or deep wadingconditionswillrequire morefrequentservicing.See ’Owner maintenance’ and contacta Land Rover retailerfor advice. In addition: Afterwadingin saltwateror drivingon sandybeaches,use a hose to thoroughly washthe underbodycomponentsand any exposedbody panelswith freshwater. This willhelp to protectthe vehicle’s cosmeticappearanceand help prevent corrosion.

DRIVINGONSOFT SURFACES& DRYSAND The idealtechniquefor drivingon soft ground and dry sand requiresthe vehicleto be kept movingat alltimes;soft ground and sand causesexcessivedrag on the wheels, resultingin a rapidlossof motion once drivingmomentum is lost.For thisreason, gearchangingshould be avoided. Selectthe highestsuitablegearand REMAIN in that gearuntila firmsurfaceis reached.It is generallyadvisableto use LOWrange gears,as thesewillenableyou to accelerate through worseningconditionswithout the risk of being unableto restart.

Stopping the vehicleon soft ground If you do stop the vehicle,remember: Startingon an inclineor in soft ground or sand may be difficult.Alwaysparkon a firm, levelarea,or with the vehiclefacingdownhill. To avoidwheelspin, select ’D’ position(or ’4’ if in LOWrange)and use the MINIMUM throttlenecessaryto get the vehiclemoving. In LOWrange,selectMANUALmode. (see ’Automatictransmission’ for further information). If forwardmotion is lost,avoidexcessiveuse of the throttle;thiswillcausewheelspin and tend to dig the vehicleinto the sand. Clear sand from around the tyresand ensurethat the chassisand axlesarenot bearingon the sand beforeagainattemptingto move. If the wheelshavesunk, use an airbag lifting deviceor high liftjackto raisethe vehicle,and then buildup sand under the wheelsso that the vehicleis againon levelground. If a restartis not possible,placeladdersor other load spreadingaidsto enhancetraction beneaththe wheels.

DRIVINGONSLIPPERY SURFACES (ice,snow,mud or wet grass) Select ’D’ (or ’4’ if in LOWrange).In LOW range,alsoselectMANUALmode. (see ’Automatictransmission’ for further information). Driveawayusing the MINIMUMthrottle possible.Driveslowlyat alltimes,keeping brakingto a minimumand avoidingviolent movementsof the steeringwheel. DRIVINGONROUGHTRACKS On veryrough tracks,engagethe LOWgear rangeto enablea steady,low speedto be maintainedwithout constantuse of the brake pedal.

CLIMBINGSTEEP SLOPES ALWAYS followthe lineof the slope;travelling diagonallycould encouragethe vehicleto slide broadsidedown the slope. Steepclimbswillusuallyrequirethe LOWgear range.If the surfaceis looseor slippery,use sufficientspeedin the highestpracticalgear to takeadvantageof the vehicle’smomentum. However,too high a speedovera bumpy surfacemay resultin a wheellifting,causing the vehicleto losetraction.In thiscasetrya slowerapproach.Tractioncan alsobe improvedby easingoff the acceleratorjust beforelossof forwardmotion. If the vehicleis unableto completea climb,do not attemptto turn it around whilston the slope.Instead,adopt the followingprocedure to reversedownhillto the foot of the slope. 1. Holdthe vehiclestationaryusing both foot and parkingbrakes. 2. Restartthe engineif necessary. 3. Engage LOWrangereversegear. 4. Releasethe parkingbrake.Then release the foot brakeand allowthe vehicleto reversedown the slopeusing engine brakingto controlthe rateof descent. 5. Unlessit is necessaryto stop the vehicle in orderto negotiateobstructions,DONOT applythe brakepedalduringthe descent. 6. If the vehiclebeginsto slide,accelerate slightlyto allowthe tyresto regaingrip. When the vehicleis backon levelground or tractioncan be regained,a fasterapproach willprobablyenablethe hillto be climbed. However,DONOTtakeunnecessaryrisks,if the hillis too difficultto climb,find an alternativeroute.

WARNING The engine must be restartedbefore reversingdown the slope as there will be no brakingeffect from the gearbox unless the engine is running.

DESCENDINGSTEEP SLOPES A. Stop the vehicleat leasta vehiclelength beforethe slope,engageLOWrangeand then selectthe lowestgear. B. Unlessit is necessaryto stop the vehicle in orderto negotiateobstructions,DONOT touch the brakepedalduringthe descent; the enginewilllimitthe speedkeepingthe vehicleunder controlprovidedthe front wheelsareturning.If the vehiclebeginsto slide,accelerategentlyto maintain directionalstability.DONOTuse the brakesor attemptto changegears. C. Oncelevelground is reached,selecta suitablegearfor the next stageof the journey.

WARNING Failure to follow these instructionsmay cause the vehicleto roll over.

TRAVERSINGA SLOPE Beforecrossinga slopealwaysobservethe followingprecautions: • Checkthat the ground is firmand not slippery. • Checkthat the wheelson the downhillside of the vehiclearenot likelyto drop into any depressionsin the ground and that the uphillwheelswillnot run overrocks,tree roots,or similarobstaclesthat could suddenlyincreasethe angleof tilt. • Ensurethat passengerweightis evenly distributed,that allroof rackluggageis removedand that allotherluggageis properlysecuredand stowedas low as possible.Alwaysremember;any sudden movementof the load could causethe vehicleto overturn. • Rearseatpassengersshould siton the uphillsideof the vehicleor, in extreme conditions,should vacatethe vehicleuntil the slopingground has been safely negotiated.

NEGOTIATINGA ’V’ SHAPEDGULLY Observeextremecaution!Steeringup either of the gullywallscould causethe sideof the vehicleto be trappedagainstthe opposite gullywall.

DRIVINGIN EXISTINGVEHICLE TRACKS As faras possible,allowthe vehicleto steer itselfalong the bottom of the ruts.However, alwayskeepa tight hold of the steeringwheel to preventit from spinningfree. Particularlyin wet conditions,if the steering wheelis allowedto spin free,the vehiclemay appearto be drivingstraightaheadin the ruts, but in actualfact(due to the lackof traction causedby wet ground) is unknowinglyon full rightor leftlock.Then, when levelground is reached,or if a dry patch is encountered,the wheelswillfind tractionand causethe vehicle to suddenlyveerto the leftor right.

CROSSINGA RIDGE Approachat rightanglesso that both front wheelscrossthe ridgetogether;an angled approachcould causetractionto be lost through diagonallyoppositewheelslifting from the ground at the sametime. CROSSINGA DITCH Crossditchesat an angleso that threewheels alwaysmaintaincontactwith the ground (if approachedhead on, both front wheelswill drop into the ditchtogether,possiblyresulting in the chassisand front bumperbeing trapped on oppositesidesof the ditch). WADING

WARNING The maximum advisablewading depth is 20 in. (0,5 metre). Severeelectricaldamage may occurif the vehicleremainsstationaryfor any length of time when the water level is above the door sills.

Beforewading,ensurethe electronicair suspensionis set in either ’Standard’ or ’High’ rideheight. If the wateris likelyto exceed20 in. (0.5 metre)whilstthe vehicleis moving,the followingprecautionsMUST be observed: • Fixa plasticsheetin front of the radiator grilleto preventwaterfrom soakingthe engineand mud from blockingthe radiator. • Ensurethat the siltbed belowthe wateris freeof obstacles,and firmenough to supportthe vehicle’sweightand provide sufficienttraction. • Select ’High’ rideheight. • Ensurethat the engineairintakeis above the waterlevel. • Selecta low gearand maintainsufficient throttleto preventthe enginefrom stalling.

This is particularlyimportantif the exhaust pipe is under water. • Driveslowlyinto the waterand accelerate to a speedwhichcausesa bow waveto form; then maintainthat speed. At alltimes,keepallthe doors fullyclosed.

After wading Immediatelyafterwading,removeany protectivecoveringfrom in front of the radiatorgrille. Drivethe vehiclea shortdistanceand apply the foot braketo checkthat the brakesare fullyeffective. DONOTrelyon the parkingbrakealoneto hold the vehiclestationaryuntilthe transmissionand brakeshavethoroughly driedout; in the meantime,use wheelchocks or leavethe vehicleparkedin gear. If the waterwasparticularlymuddy, remove any blockages(mud and leaves)from the radiatorto reducethe riskof overheating. If deep wateris regularlynegotiated,checkall oilsfor signsof watercontamination; contaminatedoilcan be identifiedthrough its ’milky’ appearance.In addition,checkthe air filterelementfor wateringress,and replaceif wet. Vehiclesrequiredto undergo frequentor deep wadingconditionswillrequiremorefrequent servicing.See ’Ownermaintenance’ and contacta Land Roverretailerfor advice. If saltwateris frequentlynegotiated, thoroughlywashthe underbodycomponents and exposedbody panels,with freshwater. BIB SPOILER The vehiclehas a bib spoilerextensionfitted to the front bumperto improveairflow during normaldrivingconditions.This MUST be removedwhen consideringseriousoff-road driving. The bib spoileris in two partsand is attached to the undersideof the front bumperby six springclipsand eightplasticrivets. To remove: Usinga screwdriver,removethe innerlocking pins from the studs, then removethe studs. Slidethe springclipsoff the bib spoiler,then separatethe two halvesof the spoiler. Storeallpartsin a suitablecontainerpending refitment. To refit: Placeone halfof the bib spoileragainstthe undersideof the front bumper,installfour studs and fit the lockingpins and threespring clips. Engage the otherhalfof the bib spoilerwith the firsthalf,then fit the remainingstuds and springclips,ensuringthat the lockingpins are fittedto the studs.

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