Automatic Models

You can change ratio down from high to low, or up from low to high, while the vehicle is moving.

Reduce or accelerate the speed as applicable to about five miles per hour. At this speed, take your foot off the accelerator, move the auto shift lever into neutral, then move the transfer lever quickly into the required high or low position. Finally select 'drive' on the auto shift lever.

Electronic traction control

Certain models of the Classic Range Rover are fitted with an 'anti-lock braking system' (ABS), which incorporates an 'electronic traction control' system (ETC).

The 'electronic control unit' (ECU) which controls both systems incorporates a monitoring system which checks that all electrical components are in working order, not only before each journey but also at frequent intervals while the ignition is switched on. Well, so I am told!

The purpose of the ETC is to aid traction when one rear wheel spins while the other still has good grip; for example, if one side of the vehicle is on mud or ice and the other on hard ground or tarmac. ETC is an extension to the ABS, there being a modified electronic control unit with extra software and outputs, an add-on valve block to provide pressure to the rear brakes, and an information light.

The system works by applying the brake to a spinning rear wheel to transfer torque to the other side of the axle. A normal open differential is a torque balance, so if one rear wheel cannot get traction due to mud or ice or because it is off the ground (through being cross-axled) when the other rear wheel gets the same level or torque (very little). If the brake is used to similar torque resistance for the spinning wheel, then this torque is sent to the other rear wheel with the grip, thus providing traction.

The ETC system has an information light to let the driver know when it is active. This comes on all the time that the ETC unit is active and for a minimum of two seconds. In the unlikely event that the ETC is used too long continuously (over a minute), then the unit shuts down to allow cooling and the ETC light is flashed. If there is a fault with the ETC system then the ETC light comes on permanently. Magic stuff, this new technology!

Safety First

Before actually driving off into the rough, let's consider a few important points to ensure not only your safety and the safety of your passengers but also to increase the reliability of your vehicle.

Belt up: whenever driving a legally driveable unsurfaced byway, just as in the case of a fully maintained highway, you must by law wear safety belts as fitted to your vehicle.

Even when driving off-road over private ground it makes sense to wear them. Especially the passengers, who don't have a steering wheel to hold onto to give them a sense of security. If may be OK for you, the driver, to drop the front wheels into a hole. You might be expecting it to happen, but spare a though for your front seat passengers.

With inertia belts, some may be concerned that the diagonal strap self tightens as you bounce about a bit when climbing a hill, making it difficult to lean forward to look over the bonnet to see the way ahead. No problem. Having put the safety belt on a given a small amount of slack to make the diagonal comfortable to wear, secure a clothes peg above your shoulder just under where the belt goes through the anchorage point. That will stop it from tightening up.

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(c)Goodwinch Limited 2006