New discovery driver - can someone talk me through the basics please?

I am new to this forum so please excuse me if I am in the wrong place.

I have had a 300tdi for 5 years now but only just started driving it and I am afraid to say I know next to nothing. I get the general idea, 5 gears & reverse but the gear nob type thing infront of my gear nob (Diff lock?) is baffling me. I have tried to find out how to use it, but it's all foreign to me. I understand I may need to use it/do something to it in the icey weather?

After having an arguement with my husband who swears blind they don't have timing belts I thought I'd get advice from The Experts.

Thanks alot if you can guide me (without too much laughing)

It does has a timing belt and they cause a world of pain when they break, as i have found out

If u need to use the diff lock then you must be on realy bad roads or doing some real off roading your disco will handle what ever you are gonna do with it without the diff lock the only time i use my diff lock is when i go deer stocking up the highlands. but you should use the diff lock once a month just to keep it free & working

Very basically, you have 3 differentials, one on each axle, and one on the output from the gearbox, in normal *open* drive the vehicle will stop if you loose traction on 1 wheel although they are very capable.
You have high range and low range, you normally travel on roads in high range (small gearknob to the right & back)
For "Off-road" you will use low range mostly, (small gearknob to the right but forwards)

*To change from high to low, or low to high, first reduce your speed to walking pace ie 4mph or less whilst driving in a straight ahead manner, take the main gearstick out of drive and into neutral and let the clutch up, now move the small gearknob into the position you want, low or high, then you will select a gear with the main gearstick as normal.

You also have *Difflock* this is available in both high or low range, this works on the centre diff that's attached to the gearbox.
Everything about changing the small gearknob into the correct range is the same as before, but this time take it out of drive and into it's neutral position, then move it across to the left and select the range you want. The move across to the left will put it into difflock. This *locks up* the centre diff, and 50% of the drive power goes to each axle.
When in difflock, you should have a light on the dash that looks like a H with wheels on.

You need to be in the correct range, with difflock if needed, and the correct gear BEFORE you tackle any obstacle.

You would only use difflock if there is a chance that you might loose traction, and get out of it as soon as it's not required, leaving it in on tarmac etc can damage your transmission.
You can still loose traction with it in difflock if 1 wheel on each axle looses grip.

As a very basic guide, for normal driving and going up hills, use 3rd low.
For down hill gradients, use 1st low.
If you feel that you might loose traction, either due to mud, ice, snow, or rocky steps, engage low with difflock.

DO NOT try to change gear either part way up, or going down a steep hill.

(This is as you requested, BASIC instructions on how to drive using the various ranges, you will adapt more as you get more experienced)

what he said^^^^^^^^^

but basicly,

TskLandyLady said:

but the gear nob type thing infront of my gear nob (Diff lock?) is baffling me.

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when you get stuck at the bottom of the icy car park, slide this lever to the left.
you should get an orange light on the dash.
drive out of car park.
slide lever back to the right.
dash light should go out after driving forwards a few yards. if it dont, reverse a few yards and wiggle the steering to and fro.

if you aint used it before, it may be tight, or worse, seized.

and yes, they do have timing belts.
and if you still cant get out of car park, ring someone for help.

Gafferjim said:

As a very basic guide, for normal driving and going up hills, use 3rd low.
For down hill gradients, use 1st low.

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Surely thats only in icy or poor conditions, just a point to note

Gafferjim said:

As a very basic guide, for normal driving and going up hills, use 3rd low.

For down hill gradients, use 1st low.

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davek0974 said:

Surely thats only in icy or poor conditions, just a point to note

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Well spotted Davek surely Gafferjims post should have read

Gafferjim said:

As a very basic guide, for off road driving and going up hills, use 3rd low. ( n.b. this depends on the steepness of the hill )

For down hill gradients, use 1st low.

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The best way to learn how to drive your Landy is join a club and watch/be driven around by someone else and watch what they do. There are also lots of how to drive off road guides. At least one on here try a search for off roading tips.
But sure as eggs is eggs nothin'll beat actually doin it yrself and learning from experience

you're right Bromsgrove D. I did mean off-road, and I also said that it's just a very basic guide to driving off road, and that with more experience his style will change.
I also should have said, select the gear and start off in it, you can start off very easily in 3rd low.I still see people starting in 1st then wondering why they've lost traction etc when they try to change up.

Gafferjim said:

you're right Bromsgrove D. I did mean off-road, and I also said that it's just a very basic guide to driving off road, and that with more experience his style will change.
I also should have said, select the gear and start off in it, you can start off very easily in 3rd low.I still see people starting in 1st then wondering why they've lost traction etc when they try to change up.

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If in first you don't succeed, try again in second

Joking aside tho, good basic guide

They do have Cam Belts, not Chains or Gears.

And I think they need changed every 100,000 miles, but could be wrong!

My Discovery 200TDi has 113,412 miles on the clock and has the original belt, so it is due a change! But I don't have the time to change it right now, so I'll just pray the current belt holds up until summer!

sfunny - i thort they needed changing every 60000 miles .

The Mad Hat Man said:

sfunny - i thort they needed changing every 60000 miles .

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Me too

Landy Boy1 said:

And I think they need changed every 100,000 miles, but could be wrong!

My Discovery 200TDi has 113,412 miles on the clock and has the original belt, so it is due a change! But I don't have the time to change it right now, so I'll just pray the current belt holds up until summer!

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Bloody hell, thats pushing the service limit a bit

I read it was 60,000 but would likely change before that.

Gonna be fun getting those bolts out!

Landy Boy1 said:

They do have Cam Belts, not Chains or Gears.

And I think they need changed every 100,000 miles, but could be wrong!

My Discovery 200TDi has 113,412 miles on the clock and has the original belt, so it is due a change! But I don't have the time to change it right now, so I'll just pray the current belt holds up until summer!

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think you might have got the wrong thread!

nope, tis me thats on the wrong thread......