Went out in my mates 1993 Range Rover petrol automatic the other weekend at Kirton off road centre. Im not sure if it is because he does not no how to drive it or the transmission box is boggered.
But he went to go up a pretty steep hill, could not make it, while he was trying to go up, it rolled back down even though the gearbox was in first.

Also I noticed he has to use the brakes when going down hill, as the gearbox does not hold it steady like a manual does, he told me you have to use the brakes when going down hill with automatics. Is this right?

I'm glad i have my land rover manual.

Is the transmission fluid topped up?

Granted you wont get the brickwall hitting engine breaking you will on a manual box, but the auto will take you down a hill at a sensible speed without brakes.

Technically the auto should be better off-road as its easier on the ground under it (if the wheels spin it changes up and puts less torque on the ground, like what you should do on ice).

I'd be looking to see if his centre diff is locking too, as if you're going up/down hill and a wheel lifts with no diff lock it'll run off till the wheel touches down again.

I've driven all manner of autos off road, from a small JCB to a 50 Tonne Dumptruck and I'd prefer auto off road to a manual as they are less likely to jump out gear and less work all around. I'd be more inclinded to believe that there's something wrong with the box if its doing what you say and both the boxes has been put right settings (low range - 2nd gear-ish).

Regards

Bob

Happy 4,000,000th Land Rover today!!!

my auto is wonderful going downhill, i shove it into low range, foot of the brake and it cruises down at a lovely slow speed, it hasn't been down anything more than 35 degree though.

jimmie said:

Went out in my mates 1993 Range Rover petrol automatic the other weekend at Kirton off road centre. Im not sure if it is because he does not no how to drive it or the transmission box is boggered.
But he went to go up a pretty steep hill, could not make it, while he was trying to go up, it rolled back down even though the gearbox was in first.

Also I noticed he has to use the brakes when going down hill, as the gearbox does not hold it steady like a manual does, he told me you have to use the brakes when going down hill with automatics. Is this right?

I'm glad i have my land rover manual.

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maybe my freind his transmission is buggered or he cant drive the car my classic auto a few years ago was used to tow about 4 off road speacials up a very very steep incline with varying surface`s all the way up this it did with absolute ease and i didnt even use first , and the reason for me having to tow these speacials was they could`nt manage to climb even a third of the way without loosing traction or the engines didnt have the balls , as the saying goes the best 4x4x far .
rick.

Took my `92 V8 auto off-road a few time, not noticed anything untowards like that happening. But it does seem odd with an auto......