Help! I'm new to Land Rovers and confused!

Titanosaurus · Jun 1, 2011

I'm sure this probably in the wrong place but I didn't know where to post. I just got my first Disco(1995/automatic). I'm not new to 4 wheel drive(used to American trash), but I don't have an owner's manual and I can't make heads or tails of the 4wd shifter. Does it have four positions? Is it just like other 4x4 with high and low? I'm also looking for a picture of the buttons on the dash board; i.e. there is one below the clock with two vertical lines and one horizontal line through them. What is it? Thank you.

Ramsey
Redding California---Redneck central.

Freediscoranger · Jun 1, 2011

The four positions are as follows, bottom right, high range no diff lock which is for every day use. Bottom left, high rang with diff lock. Top right, low range no diff lock which is generally used for off-roading on a surface where you won't loose traction. And top left, low range with diff lock which is used off roading where loss of traction is likely.

As for the button below the clock..... Only thing I could see on mine is front fog lights.... Pictures always help.

ricc · Jun 1, 2011

dont forget the diff lock only locks the centre diff.... normally only used when something in the front axle drive train has broken, to force the drive to the rear axle to get you home

4x4tom · Jun 1, 2011

ricc said:
dont forget the diff lock only locks the centre diff.... normally only used when something in the front axle drive train has broken, to force the drive to the rear axle to get you home

That is 100% not its purpose...

Freediscoranger · Jun 1, 2011

4x4tom said:
That is 100% not its purpose...

I was just gonna say that.

clarkie · Jun 1, 2011

button under the clock is probably the cruise control master switch which wont work anyway so just ignor it

Titanosaurus · Jun 1, 2011

Thank you all for prompt and informative replies. So my understanding at this
point is one of the reasons these are so awesome off road is the transfer case/diff setup. I am going to put my F-150 up for sale now; I used to use it off road but no more. As for the button, if it is the cruise control, mine doesn't work, and from the sound of Clarkie's reply, it must be common and not worth fixing.

ed.poore · Jun 2, 2011

Freediscoranger said:
I was just gonna say that.

Hmmm I think the only time I've used the diff lock in a Defender has been when the front prop broke... Always seem to have managed to get through with cadence braking if I do begin to lose traction

plus I find the 110 tends to have more traction than the 90 we had - probably because there's usually half the vehicle still back on the tarmac

ricc · Jun 2, 2011

most of us either dont know when to use the diff lock, dont remember weve ot it or never get in places where it would be of any benefit...... so i stand by my origional remark that its mostly actually used when the front axle drive train breaks..... whether lr designers intended this is frankly irrelevant

V8jon · Jun 2, 2011

All you have to remember is this

offroad = Diff lock in

onroad = Diff lock out

Gafferjim · Jun 2, 2011

V8jon said:
All you have to remember is this

offroad = Diff lock in

onroad = Diff lock out

No! No! No!

You only need to use diff-lock if there is the chance that you'll loose traction, ie, going into mud,going through deep'ish water where you have no idea what the bottom is like, or crawling over rock steps. The normal grass / gravel / stone greenlanes etc, you do not need diff-lock.

If you use diff-lock on too good a surface, you can "wind up" the transfer box, and possibly cause damage.

what V8 jon possibly means is, usually "off-road = low range" "on-road = high range"

jamesmartin · Jun 2, 2011

it works like this you have a diff in each axle and a diff in transfer box so you have 4 wheel drive all the time with diffs allowing you to go round corners ,if you were to drive over slippery surface you could loose all drive through one wheel spinning because of the 3 diffs so the centre diff has a diff lock which when engaged which can be done on the move as is spring loaded in/out,in high or low ,this means when locked that both axles are driven at the same speed whatever happens,and now you have to have one wheel on each axle spinning to stand still giving better traction on poor surface ,but because both axles have to do the same speed you will get wind up between them as during cornering both axles do slightly different speeds as rear does smaller radius than front high/low is completely seperate from diff lock even though they share same lever

Andy Land · Jun 2, 2011

jamesmartin said:
it works like this you have a diff in each axle and a diff in transfer box so you have 4 wheel drive all the time with diffs allowing you to go round corners ,if you were to drive over slippery surface you could loose all drive through one wheel spinning because of the 3 diffs so the centre diff has a diff lock which when engaged which can be done on the move as is spring loaded in/out,in high or low ,this means when locked that both axles are driven at the same speed whatever happens,and now you have to have one wheel on each axle spinning to stand still giving better traction on poor surface ,but because both axles have to do the same speed you will get wind up between them as during cornering both axles do slightly different speeds as rear does smaller radius than front high/low is completely seperate from diff lock even though they share same lever

Nicely put James and although this is 100% correct there are still a few people that will disagree with you because 'they know better'

Gafferjim · Jun 2, 2011

And, ..........It will change better into high / low, locked / unlocked if the vehicle is moving slightly; walking pace or less

goonarmy · Jun 2, 2011

cor, there is some great info and dis-information on this thread.

jamesmartin · Jun 2, 2011

whats the poor info

V8jon · Jun 2, 2011

Gafferjim said:
No! No! No!

You only need to use diff-lock if there is the chance that you'll loose traction, ie, going into mud,going through deep'ish water where you have no idea what the bottom is like, or crawling over rock steps. The normal grass / gravel / stone greenlanes etc, you do not need diff-lock.

If you use diff-lock on too good a surface, you can "wind up" the transfer box, and possibly cause damage.

what V8 jon possibly means is, usually "off-road = low range" "on-road = high range"

Yes i was just speaking in general,but if you applied your theory in a series you would spend most your time offroad in 2wd high as they don't have difflock

jamesmartin · Jun 2, 2011

but in 4wd series are the same as defender in difflock both axles driven the same

Mr-Tomcat · Jun 2, 2011

I find after using the diff lock it helps to drive a few feet in reverse to help it disengage, not my advise just what I do.

V8jon · Jun 2, 2011

jamesmartin said:
but in 4wd series are the same as defender in difflock both axles driven the same

Exactly my point James, I think some people see the difflock as an "extra" aid to get them out of difficulty when stuck. Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought the only reason defenders/discos/rangies had centre difflock was to be able to have 4wd on road

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