On all permanent four-wheel drive 90s, 110s, Classic Range Rovers and Discoverys and Stage One V8 Land Rovers, the selection of low ratio is done by moving forward the short stubby transfer case lever. Do this only while the vehicle is stationary, preferably with your foot on the clutch.

If you find it difficult to either get from high ratio into the mid-neutral position or indeed into low ratio, simply - while on level ground - place your foot lightly on the footbrake, take off the handbrake, depress the clutch, put the main gearbox into first. With a light hand pressure on the transfer lever, 'feel' it come out of high ratio, through neutral, and with a slight 'clonk' into low ratio as you play on the clutch.

With practice, you will achieve this operation very easily. More often than not, the reason why it is difficult to engage low ratio is because the vehicle is either very new, or that low ratio is rarely used.

If your first manoeuvre is descending a hill or down a bank, keep your hand on the transfer lever with the intention of ensuring that the lever doesn't fall back into neutral position. Ideally, make sure you engage low ratio and diff lock several vehicle lengths before 'going over the edge'.

On all Series I, II and III Land Rovers you engage low ratio only while in the stationary position by pulling the tail transfer lever with the red knob back towards you through neutral into low. It should never be difficult to engage, but again be fully happy that it stays engaged as you move off 'over the edge'. Remember to engage the manual free wheel hubs first, if fitted.

Once you have engaged low ratio, providing you are proceeding ahead on level ground or starting a climb, by all means move off in second gear. After all, you are in low ratio!

If your vehicle is fitted with a Superwinch (Fairey) overdrive unit, be sure not to use it in low ratio - you will simply wear it out. You should in fact, only be using it in third and fourth gears - high ratio. In saying that, if the need arises, and the only way out is to reverse in the mud or up a slope, engaging overdrive while in reverse might just get you out of a predicament by causing less spinning of the wheels. Remember to disengage it as soon as you are out.

Re-engaging high ratio

As regards permanent four-wheel drive vehicles, although I prefer to stop before bringing the transfer lever back into high ratio, you may do it carefully on the move.

Imagine the situation. You are coming off the muddy track up onto a tarmac road and you daren't stop for fear of losing momentum and therefore getting stuck.

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(c)Goodwinch Limited 2006