Land Rover Defender Owner's Manual

Introduction

Welcome to the Land Rover Defender owner's manual. Please read this manual carefully to familiarize yourself with your vehicle's operation and features. This manual applies to all Defender modifications and optional equipment, some of which may not be installed on your vehicle. Land Rover reserves the right to make changes to specifications and equipment at any time without prior notice.

Important Information:

• The information in this manual is current at the time of printing. Subsequent changes in vehicle design may be reflected in separate supplements. Updates can also be found on the Land Rover website: www.ownerinfo.landrover.com.
• Land Rover is constantly working to improve its products and reserves the right to change technical specifications, design, and equipment at any time without prior notice.
• Reproduction or translation of this document, in whole or in part, is prohibited without the company's permission. The company is not responsible for errors or omissions.

Symbols Used in This Manual:

• Warning symbols (⚠️): Indicate safety precautions to prevent injury. Follow procedures carefully or pay close attention to the information provided.
• Caution symbols (①): Indicate precautions to prevent vehicle damage. Follow procedures carefully or pay close attention to the information provided.
• Recycling symbol (♻️): Indicates that components should be disposed of properly to avoid environmental pollution.
• Toxic substance symbol: Indicates that components contain toxic substances and should be disposed of properly. Contact your Land Rover dealer, authorized workshop, or local authorities for disposal information.
• Adjustable function symbol: Indicates functions that can be adjusted, deactivated, or activated by contacting your Land Rover dealer or authorized workshop.

©Jaguar Land Rover Limited 2013. All rights reserved.

Getting Into the Vehicle

Unlocking the Vehicle

Remote Control:

• Do not leave the remote control in the vehicle if children or animals are left inside, as vehicle systems could be activated, potentially causing injury.
• The remote control contains sensitive electronic circuits and should be protected from mechanical damage, water, high temperatures, humidity, direct sunlight, solvents, and abrasive cleaning materials.
• Do not modify or tamper with the anti-theft system, as this may cause it to malfunction.
• Your vehicle is equipped with two remote controls.

Vehicles with Central Locking:

• Press the lock button once to lock all doors, immobilize the engine, and activate the alarm. The turn signals will flash three times.
• Press the unlock button once to deactivate the alarm and unlock all doors. The turn signals will flash once, and the interior light will come on.

Using the Key:

• Insert the key into the driver's door lock and turn it towards the rear of the vehicle to lock all doors, immobilize the engine, and activate the alarm.
• Unlocking with the key is not recommended as the alarm may not disarm (depending on vehicle specification).

Vehicles without Central Locking:

• Each door must be locked/unlocked separately. The remote control does not unlock the doors. Turn the key towards the rear of the car to lock or towards the front to unlock.

Arming and Disarming the Alarm:

• Press the lock button on the remote control to lock the vehicle, immobilize the engine, and activate the alarm. The turn signals will flash to confirm. The alarm indicator on the instrument panel will start flashing.
• The alarm will trigger if a door, the bonnet, or the tailgate is opened, if movement is detected inside the vehicle, or if an attempt is made to disconnect the alarm siren.
• If the alarm is activated and a window or sunroof is open, the volumetric sensor may detect airflow and trigger the alarm.

The alarm status is indicated by an indicator light. After locking the vehicle, the indicator may be in one of the following states:

• Indicator lights up for ten seconds, then flashes slowly: driver's door not closed.
• Indicator flashes slowly: engine immobilized, alarm disarmed.
• Indicator flashes rapidly for ten seconds, then flashes slowly: alarm activated, engine immobilized.

Tailgate Opening and Closing:

The tailgate is not designed for carrying loads on it.

To open the tailgate:

1. Slide the retaining plates to the uppermost position.
2. Turn the retaining plates 90 degrees downwards.
3. Pull the tailgate to open, allowing the retaining plates to pass through.

To close the tailgate, reverse the procedure.

Pickup Tailgate

To open the tailgate:

1. Pull the latches outwards.
2. While holding the latches open, carefully lower the tailgate.

To close the tailgate, reverse the procedure.

Emergency Access Procedure (EKA)

In case of remote control failure, a unique four-digit code is required to disarm the alarm and release the engine immobilizer. The code is recorded on the security card. Do not leave this card in the vehicle.

1. Remove the remote control from the key ring and place it at a sufficient distance from the ignition switch.
2. Unlock the driver's door, sit in the seat, and close the door. Note: Opening the door for 30 seconds will activate the audible alarm.
3. Insert the key into the ignition switch and turn it to position II to reactivate the alarm.
4. Turn the key to position 0, then open and close the driver's door.
5. Enter the first part of the EKA code by turning the key to position II and back to 0 the number of times indicated by the code. For example, if the code digit is 4, turn the key to position II and back to 0 four times.
6. Open and close the driver's door to confirm the code entry.
7. Repeat this procedure for the remaining three digits.

If the code is entered correctly, the alarm indicator on the instrument panel will go out, the alarm will be disarmed, and the engine immobilizer will be released. If the code is entered incorrectly, the alarm indicator will remain lit, and the engine will remain immobilized. Turn the key to position II and hold for five seconds to reset before attempting again. After three unsuccessful attempts, the security system will engage a thirty-minute delay, during which further EKA code entries will be ignored.

Replacing the Key Fob Battery:

Signs that the key fob battery needs replacement include:

• The remote control only responds after the second press of the unlock button.
• The turn signals do not flash when the alarm is disarmed.
• The alarm indicator on the instrument panel flashes frequently for more than ten seconds.

To replace the battery:

1. Remove the cover by sliding it in the direction indicated by the arrows.
2. Use the black mechanical key to separate the key fob casing.
3. Install a new, unused CR2032 battery (available from your dealer/authorized workshop) with the positive (+) terminal facing up. Note: Avoid touching the new battery. Moisture and grease from your fingers can reduce battery life and cause corrosion.

Note: If the low battery warning does not disappear, it means the installed battery is not new and has already been used. Reassemble the components in reverse order, ensuring they click into place.

Battery Disposal:

Batteries contain hazardous substances and must be disposed of properly. Contact your dealer/authorized workshop or local authorities for disposal information.

Exiting the Vehicle

Locking the Vehicle and Arming the Alarm

It is not recommended to lock the vehicle with the key, as this does not activate the alarm. The key can be used to lock and unlock the tailgate.

Press and release the lock button on the remote control to lock the vehicle, immobilize the engine, and activate the alarm. The turn signals will flash to indicate the vehicle has been locked. The alarm indicator on the instrument panel will begin to flash.

The alarm will trigger in the following situations:

• A door, the bonnet, or the tailgate is opened.
• Movement is detected inside the vehicle.
• An attempt is made to disconnect the alarm siren.

Note: If the alarm is activated and a window or sunroof is open, the volumetric sensor may detect airflow and trigger the alarm.

The alarm status is indicated by an indicator light. After locking the vehicle, the indicator may be in one of the following states:

• Indicator lights up for ten seconds, then flashes slowly: driver's door not closed.
• Indicator flashes slowly: engine immobilized, alarm disarmed.
• Indicator flashes rapidly for ten seconds, then flashes slowly: alarm activated, engine immobilized.

Locking and Unlocking Door Handles

Note: The central locking system prevents the driver's door from locking when it is closed.

If the doors are unlocked, any door can be locked by pressing the lock button for that door. The driver's door lock button locks all doors, but does not immobilize the engine or activate the alarm.

To open a door, pull the interior handle.

To lock the tailgate, slide the latch to the uppermost position. To open the tailgate, lift the interior handle.

Front Seats

Front Seats with Manual Adjustment

1. Lift the stop lever to slide the seat forward or backward.
2. Lift the locking lever to adjust the seatback angle.
3. Squeeze the locking ring to adjust the headrest height.

Correct Seating Position:

• The driver and front passenger must sit upright with their lower backs firmly against the seatback. To ensure optimal protection in case of an accident, do not recline the seatback too far.
• Do not move the driver's seat too close to the steering wheel. The recommended minimum distance between your chest and the steering wheel is 254 mm (10 inches). Hold the steering wheel with a slight bend in your elbows.
• Adjust the headrest so its top is above the back of your head.
• Position the seat belt so it passes over the middle of your shoulder and chest, and lies flat across your lap, not over your stomach.
• Your driving position should be comfortable and allow you to operate all vehicle controls.

Removing the Front Seat Cushion:

To access the following components, you must remove the front seat cushions:

• Right Seat: Battery, Tire change tool kit.
• Left Seat: Additional fuse box.

On vehicles with heated front seats, exercise caution when removing the seat cushion to avoid snagging wires or damaging electrical connectors. If necessary, disconnect the wire from the seat cushion.

Installing the Front Seat Cushion:

1. Install the cover and close it.
2. Secure the clip at the front of the seat.
3. If necessary, connect the electrical connector.
4. Insert the two rear pins into the seat base holes.
5. Press the front edge of the seat cushion to secure the clips.

Before driving, ensure the seat bases are securely installed.

Rear Seats

Folding and Unfolding Split Folding Rear Seats

The seats can be folded forward completely for large loads or partially for long items, while still leaving space for passengers. If necessary, the side seats can be folded individually to increase luggage space.

• Always secure items being transported in the vehicle.
• Ensure the removed rear headrests are stored securely to prevent them from becoming a hazard.
• All passengers and the driver must sit in the correct position and wear seat belts while driving.
• After removing a child seat or unfolding the seats, reinstall and adjust the headrest.
• To prevent wear on the upholstery of folded seats, you may need to move the front seats forward and slightly raise their backrests.

Folding Split Seats:

1. Lower the headrests completely.
2. Press the locking lever downwards to release the seatback lock, then fold the seat forward.
3. Pull the seat belt strap towards the front of the vehicle to turn the seat into the storage position.
4. To create a level load floor when the entire seat is folded forward, also fold the seat base mechanisms flat.

Unfolding the seats is the reverse of folding. Before unfolding the seats, ensure the vehicle is on a level surface.

• Ensure the seatback locking lever is fully raised when the seatback is raised.
• When raising the rear seats, ensure the seat belts are routed correctly in front of the seat and not trapped behind it.
• Before raising the seatback, ensure the seat cushion is securely locked. Otherwise, the latch mechanism may be damaged.

Folding and Unfolding Side Folding Seats

1. Lower the headrests.
2. Press the seatback latch downwards and fold the seat forward.
3. Pull the seat cushion locking lever upwards, then fold the seat upwards until it clicks into the latch.
4. To release the seat assembly, pull the latch in the direction shown in the illustration.
5. Lower the seat cushion until it latches.

After removing a child seat or unfolding the seats, reinstall and adjust the headrest.

1. Unfold the seatback until it latches.
2. Install the headrest in the desired position.

• When raising a side seat, ensure the locking mechanism is fully engaged.
• When raising the rear seats, ensure the seat belts are routed correctly in front of the seat and not trapped behind it.

Headrests

Adjusting Headrests

1. To release the headrest, press the retainer.
2. Move the headrest to the desired position.

Note: To move the headrest upwards, you do not need to press the retainer.

If the headrest needs to be removed, move it to the uppermost position, then press the retainer while lifting the headrest off the seat.

To install the headrest, align the guides with the slots and press down until it clicks.

Removing the Rear Headrest

• Store removed headrests so they do not present a hazard and are securely fastened.

If necessary, the rear headrest can be removed to install a child seat or fold the seats. The removal process is as follows:

• Lift the headrest to the uppermost position and press the retaining clip.
• Remove the headrest from the seat.

After removing a child seat or folding the seats, ensure the headrest is reinstalled.

Adjust the headrest to the desired position.

Seat Belts

Using Seat Belts

1. How to wear a seat belt: Pull the belt smoothly. Ensure your seating position is correct. The belt should pass over your pelvic area and chest, and over the middle of your collarbone, between your neck and shoulder.

WARNING: The seat belt is designed to transfer impact forces to the skeleton, so the lower part of the belt should be positioned over the pelvic area, and the upper part over the chest and shoulder. Do not allow the belt to lie over your stomach.

WARNING: Do not modify or adapt the seat belt system in a way that could prevent the adjustment devices from retracting the belt or make adjustment difficult.

The seat belt provides protection when it fits snugly against the body. The effectiveness of the belt is significantly reduced if it is not worn tightly. Do not wear the belt with twisted straps.

3. For pregnant women, the lap belt should lie comfortably across the hips, below the abdomen. The diagonal belt should pass between the breasts and to the side of the abdomen. Ensure the seat belt is not loose or twisted.

Do not place any objects between yourself and the seat belt to cushion the impact in case of a collision. This is dangerous and reduces the effectiveness of the seat belts.

Pregnant women MUST ensure the seat belt is correctly positioned to avoid harming themselves or the unborn child.

Never use only the lap belt or only the diagonal belt. Both are extremely dangerous and increase the risk of severe injury in a collision or sudden stop.

Rules for Using Seat Belts:

• The seat belt must be replaced after it has been subjected to significant loads in a severe collision, even if there is no visible damage.
• Do not place any objects between yourself and the seat belt to cushion the impact in case of a collision. This is dangerous and reduces the effectiveness of the seat belts.
• Pregnant women MUST ensure the seat belt is correctly positioned to avoid harming themselves or the unborn child.
• Never use only the lap belt or only the diagonal belt. Both are extremely dangerous and increase the risk of severe injury in a collision or sudden stop.
• Each seat belt is intended for one person only. Do not share a seat belt with a child sitting on your lap.
• During travel, the driver and front passenger must not recline their seatbacks more than 30 degrees. Failure to comply with this rule will reduce the level of protection provided by the seat belts.
• It is not recommended to use clips or other devices on the seat belt that could loosen its tension.
• There should be no hard, brittle, or sharp objects between your body and the fastened seat belt. In case of impact, the pressure of the seat belt on such objects could break them, potentially causing death or severe injury.

Seat Belt Care:

Information on cleaning seat belts is provided in Section 100, SEAT BELTS.

• The seat belt must be replaced after it has been subjected to significant loads in a severe collision, even if there is no visible damage.
• In case of damage, wear, cuts, defects, or loosening of the belts, the vehicle must be taken to a dealer/authorized Land Rover workshop for immediate inspection. Do not use the vehicle if the seat belts are not functioning correctly.
• The seat belt must be replaced in case of wear, dirt, or damage to the webbing.
• Pay attention to ensure that the belt webbing does not come into contact with body cleaning agents and interior care products, especially battery electrolyte. Clean the belts using neutral soap and water.
• When using seat belts to secure items, ensure the belts are not damaged or passed over sharp edges.

Seat Belt Checks:

Note: If the vehicle is parked on a slope, the seat belt mechanism may lock. This is not a malfunction; the belt should be gently released at the upper anchor point.

Regularly check seat belts for signs of wear, cuts, or webbing damage, as well as the condition and security of the mechanism, buckles, adjusters, and anchor points.

• After fastening the seat belt, pull the webbing upwards near the buckle. The lock should securely hold the belt.
• With the seat belt unfastened, pull the webbing fully out. Ensure the webbing extends smoothly without jerking. Allow the belt to retract fully, checking its smooth retraction.
• Partially extend the seat belt, then grip the tongue and pull forward sharply. The inertia reel should lock automatically, preventing further belt extension.

If any seat belt does not meet these requirements, contact your Land Rover dealer or authorized workshop immediately.

Child Safety

Rear Door Child Safety Locks

Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle. This can lead to the child's death or serious injury.

The rear doors are equipped with child safety locks to prevent children from accidentally opening the doors while the vehicle is moving. It is recommended to use the rear door locks when transporting children in the rear seat.

1. Open the door.
2. Move the lock lever downwards to engage or upwards to disengage the child safety lock for opening doors from the inside.

Child Seats

• Do not use a rear-facing child seat until the child weighs 9 kg (20 lbs) and can sit up unaided. Until the age of two, a child's spine and neck are not fully developed and are vulnerable to injury in a frontal collision.
• Accident statistics show that transporting children in a child seat secured in the rear seat is the safest option.
• Do not allow a child to sit on an adult's lap while the vehicle is moving. In a collision, the force can multiply a child's weight thirty times, making it impossible to hold them. Children usually require an additional seat cushion appropriate for their age and size, which allows the seat belt to be properly fastened, minimizing the risk of injury in a collision. In a collision, children can be endangered if child seats are not properly secured in the vehicle.
• Do not use child seats that attach to the seatback. These types of seats cannot be securely fastened, and their safety for the child is questionable.
• Your vehicle's seat belts are designed for teenagers and adult passengers. To ensure the safety of children under 12 years of age, they must be transported in a special seat appropriate for their age and size.

Note: Legislation in some countries prohibits children from occupying the front seat while the vehicle is moving. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the regulations in the country where the vehicle is operated and comply with them precisely.

Child Seat Check List:

Before each journey with a child, perform the following checks:

• Use appropriate child seats.
• Follow the child seat manufacturer's installation instructions.
• Adjust the seat belts for each child and each journey.
• Ensure the adult seat belts are securely fastened.
• Always check the security of the child seat's attachment.
• Do not dress the child in excessive clothing or place any objects between the child and the seat.
• Regularly check the attachment and condition of child seats. If the attachment is loose or shows signs of wear/damage, replace the child seat immediately.
• Set a good example – always wear your seat belt.

Child Seat Placement:

WARNING: Child seat attachment points are designed to withstand only the forces acting on a correctly installed seat. Never use them for attaching standard seat belts or other items and equipment.

Accident statistics show that transporting children in a child seat secured in the rear seat is the safest option.

Child Seat Weight Categories:

U = Suitable for universal child seats certified for the weight group.

Note: Age is approximate. If in doubt when choosing a child seat, prioritize weight over the child's age.

Note: The information in the table is correct at the time of printing. The availability of child restraint systems may change. Consult your dealer or authorized Land Rover workshop for the latest recommendations.

Note: Legislation governing the transport of children in vehicles may change. The driver is responsible for complying with legal requirements.

Additional Seat Cushions for Children:

In situations where a child no longer fits in a child seat but is still too small to be safely secured by a three-point harness, an additional seat cushion is recommended for maximum safety. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation and use, and adjust the seat belt.

Exterior Lights

Operating the Lights

1. Turn off headlights/parking lights.
2. Turn on side and rear parking lights and dashboard illumination.
3. Low beam headlights are on.
4. Push forward to turn on the high beam. Pull towards you for a momentary high beam. To operate the turn signals, move the stalk up or down. A blue high beam indicator light illuminates when the high beam is on. See Section 40, HIGH BEAM (BLUE).
5. Rear fog light switch: Rear fog lights operate only when the low beam headlights are on. The rear fog light indicator illuminates on the instrument panel (see Section 40, REAR FOG LIGHTS (AMBER)). Press again to turn off.
6. Hazard warning light switch: Press to activate all indicators.
7. Headlight beam adjustment: Use the adjuster to set the beam angle according to the vehicle's load, to avoid dazzling other drivers.

Headlight Beam Adjustment Table:

Headlight Condensation:

In certain atmospheric conditions, condensation may form on the headlight lenses. This does not affect headlight performance and will disappear naturally during normal operation.

Interior Lighting

Interior Lighting

OFF Position: Permanently off.

Central Position: Automatic mode. The interior light turns on when a door is opened and stays on for 15 seconds after the door is closed or the ignition is turned on. The tailgate also activates the interior light in estate models. Note: If a door remains open and the switch is in the automatic position, the lights will turn off after approximately eight minutes.

ON Position: Permanently on.

Windscreen Wipers and Washers

Using the Windscreen Wipers

1. Intermittent operation: Pull the stalk down.

In very cold or very hot weather, ensure the wipers are not frozen to or stuck to the screen before switching them on. Resistance to the wiper mechanism movement may cause damage.

Do not operate the wipers when the windscreen is dry. Resistance to the wiper mechanism movement may cause damage.

Before operating the wipers, remove snow, ice, and frost from around the wiper arms and blades. Snow and ice on the windscreen may damage the wiper mechanism.

Note: If the wiper blades are stuck or jammed, the automatic cut-off device may temporarily stop the wipers. Turn off the wipers and ignition. Before restarting, clean the windscreen and free the wiper blades.

Use only approved windscreen washer fluids for vehicles. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Some washer fluids are flammable. Do not expose washer fluids to ignition sources.

5. Press to activate continuous operation of the rear wiper. Press again to turn off.

6. Press and hold to activate the rear window washer.

Interior Glazing

Electric Window Lifts

WARNING: Before closing a window, exercise caution and ensure that passengers are not obstructing the closing action. This could lead to serious injury or death.

When leaving passengers in the vehicle, take the ignition key with you. This will prevent accidental operation of the electric window lifts, which could cause injury.

When the ignition is on or the engine is running:

• Press the lower part of the switch to lower the window.
• Press the upper part of the switch to raise the window.
• Release the switch to stop the window movement.

Sliding Windows

Press the latch and slide the window to the desired position. Release the latch and ensure the catch has securely engaged in the retaining groove.

Operating the Sunroof

1. Turn the switch clockwise to open, counter-clockwise to close the sunroof.

Ensure there are no obstructions for opening or closing the sunroof.

Do not allow passengers to put their heads out of the sunroof while the vehicle is moving. Flying debris, tree branches, etc., can cause injury.

Before removing the sunroof, ensure it is fully open.

Do not remove the sunroof while the vehicle is moving.

Slide the latch back and detach the handle mechanism.

With both hands, tilt the sunroof upwards, then slide it back to detach it from the two mounting pins.

Turn the sunroof so it passes through the roof opening and lower it into the cabin.

Store the sunroof in a safe place.

WARNING: Do not leave the unsecured roof panel in the cabin.

Mirrors

Exterior Mirrors

When judging distances to objects through the mirrors, objects may appear farther away than they actually are.

The mirrors fold in case of impact. They can also be folded for driving in narrow spaces.

To improve visibility and increase the field of vision, the mirror bracket can be rotated outwards.