Concise 4x4 Driver Training Manual

This manual contains the ABSOLUTE MINIMUM knowledge deemed necessary to be known AND UNDERSTOOD by the average LROC member. However, this manual does not endeavour to explain the information presented here and therefore not everything presented here may be understood. This concise manual is complimented by the comprehensive manual where ALL this information is repeated but expanded with explanations where applicable. The LROC STRONGLY encourages its members to, at least once, read the entire comprehensive manual, just to understand how much more there is WORTH knowing. Written exam This “Concise Manual” also serves as the basis for the LROC’s written exam. Nothing outside of this manual will be asked in the exam. The exam will test knowledge only and is not intended to “be difficult”. It will not test the candidate’s understanding of the material. It is left to the member to ensure that a thorough understanding is reached where something is not understood – for your own benefit. Most of what is written in this manual regarding driving techniques are GUIDELINES due to off-roading situations being so variable (even though the wording may suggest otherwise). Therefore the most TYPICAL approach is presented here but with experience you WILL find that different/innovative approaches are sometimes called for.
However, there are 3 non-negotiable RULES:
The next 3 RULES are MOST IMPORTANT and ALWAYS apply!!!
• Be safe and responsible
• Drive as slow as possible but as fast as necessary (ASAPAFAN)
• Consider the environment
Changing a spare wheel on a LR
Except for Discovery3 (and Freelander and Range Rover3?) all LRs have hand brakes that brake the rear prop shaft and not the wheels. This arrangement can therefore result in the vehicle rolling off a jack when a flat wheel is changed. It is therefore highly recommended that special care be taken to immobilise the vehicle when a wheel is changed as follows:
1. Engage diff-lock
2. Engage low-range
3. Engage 1st gear
4. Place chocks (stones) in front and behind the wheels on the axle without the puncture.

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