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SECTION7 On-roaddriving
On-roaddriving
In thissectionof the handbook you willfind basicinformationabout what you willneed to drivesafelyon the road. For your own safety,it is most importantto readthissectionfullyand to gain a thorough understandingof allaspectsbeforedriving. Section Contents Page Instrumentsand warninglights 211 ............... Powerassistedsteering 211 ........................... Warmingup 211 ............................................. Vehicleheight 211 .......................................... Safedrivingtechniques 212 ........................... Fueleconomy 213 .......................................... Breakdownsafety 213 ....................................
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INSTRUMENTSANDWARNINGLIGHTS Beforedrivingit is importantto fully understandthe functionof the instruments and warninglightsdescribedin ’section2’ . IMPORTANTINFORMATION
A REDwarninglightindicatesthat a potentiallyseriousfaultexists.If a red warninglightilluminateswhilstdriving, stop the vehicleand reviewthe specific instructionsdetailedin the ’Warning Lights’ sectionof thismanual.
POWERASSISTED STEERING The hydraulicpower-assistedsteeringis progressivelygeared;when steeringstraight aheadgearingis relativelylow, but becomes progressivelyhigheras the steeringwheelis turned.
NOTE: Powerassistanceis dependenton the enginerunning.If the engineis not running, greatereffortwillbe requiredto steerthe vehicle.
WARNING Underno circumstancesmust the steering wheel be held on full lock for more than thirtysecondsin any one minute, otherwise the steeringassemblymay be damaged. WARMINGUP DONOTwarm-upthe engineby allowingit to idleat a slowspeed. In the interestsof fueleconomy,it is advisable to drivethe vehiclestraightaway, rememberingthat harshaccelerationor labouringthe enginebeforethe normal operatingtemperaturehas been reachedcan damagethe engine. WARNING VEHICLE HEIGHT The overallheight of your vehicleexceeds that of ordinarypassengercars.Alwaysbe aware of the height of your vehicleand checkthe available headroom before driving through low entrances.This is particularly important if the vehicleis fitted with a roof rackor if a sunroofis open.
WARNING Utilityvehicleshave a significantlyhigher roll-overrate than other types of vehicles. Since these vehiclesare designed to be operated off-road,these vehicleshave a higher ground clearanceand hence a higher centreof gravity.Such a feature has been associatedwith an increasedriskof vehicle roll-over.An advantage associatedwith higher ground clearancevehiclesis a better view of the road, allowing the driverto anticipate problems.Another factorshown to significantlyincreaseroll-overriskis unauthorisedvehiclemodificationssuch as fitting incorrectspecificationtyres,oversize tyres,body lifting, incorrect springs/dampers,incorrectvehicle loading/trailertowing. However,on-road crashdata also indicates that driverbehaviouris a greaterfactorthan a high centreof gravityin determining a vehicle’soverallroll-overrate.The single most effectivedriverbehaviourthat can reduce the riskof injuryor death in all crashesincluding roll-over,is to always wear your seat belt and to properlyrestrain all child passengersin an appropriatechild safetyseat.In a roll-overcrash,an unbelted person is significantlymore likelyto die than a person wearing a seat belt. Othermeasuresthat can reduce the riskof injuryand death from vehiclecrashesand roll-overare: • Limit speed. Posted speed limits must never be exceeded and you should alwaysdrivebelow these limits whenevertraffic,weather,roadwayor other conditionsdictate.Alwaysuse your common sense and good judgement. • Take curvesat reasonablespeeds. • Drivedefensively.Be aware of traffic, road and weather conditions.Avoid risk taking behavioursuch as following too close,rapid lane changing or abrupt manoeuvres. • Assumethat pedestriansor other drivers are going to make mistakes.Anticipate what they might do. Be ready for their mistakes. • Avoid distractionssuch as cellularphone calling,reading,eating, drinkingor reachingfor items on the floor. • Before changing lanes,checkyour mirrorsand flash your turn signal lights. • Alwaysleave room for unexpected events such as sudden braking. • Neveroperate your vehiclewhen you have consumed alcohol,are sleepy or fatigued or have taken any medications that affect judgement, reflexesor alertness. • Many vehicleroll-oversoccurwhen a driverattempts to bring a vehicleback onto the road after some or all of the wheels drift onto the shoulderof the road, especiallywhen the shoulderis unpaved. If you find yourselfin such a situation,do not initiate any sharp or abrupt steeringand/or braking manoeuvresto re-enterthe roadway.
Instead,let the vehicleslow down as much as safelypossiblebefore attempting to re-enterthe roadwayand keep your wheels as straightas possible whilst re-enteringthe roadway.
FUEL ECONOMY Fuelconsumptionis influencedby two major factors: • How your vehicleis maintained. • How you driveyour vehicle. To obtainoptimum fueleconomy,it is essentialthat your vehicleis maintainedin accordancewith the manufacturer’sservice schedule. Itemssuch as the conditionof the aircleaner element,tyrepressuresand wheelalignment willhavea significanteffecton fuel consumption.But, aboveall,the wayin which you driveis most important.The following hintsmay help you to obtainbettervaluefrom your motoring: • Avoidunnecessary,short,start-stop journeys. • Avoidfaststarts.Instead,accelerategently and smoothlyfrom rest. • Do not drivein the lowergearsfor longer than necessary. • Decelerategentlyand avoidsudden and heavybraking. • Anticipateobstructionsand adjustyour speedaccordinglywellin advance. IMPORTANTINFORMATION Rememberthe breakdown safetycode If a breakdownoccurswhilsttravelling:• Whereverpossible,consistentwith safetyand trafficconditions,the vehicleshould be moved off the mainthoroughfare,preferablyonto the shoulderas faras possible.If a breakdownoccurson a freeway,pull welloverto the insideof the hard shoulder. • Switchon hazardlights. • If possible,positionthe warning triangle(locatedon the undersideof the loadspacefloorpanel- see ’Warningtriangle’)or a flashing amberlightat an appropriate distancefrom the vehicleto warn othertrafficof the breakdown(note the legalrequirementsof some areas). • Considerevacuatingpassengers through the doors facingawayfrom the traffic,to a safeareaawayfrom the vehicleas a precautionin case your RangeRoveris struckby anothervehicle.
