Land Rover Defender: Wheel changing safety

Make sure to read and fully understand the following warnings. Failure to comply with the safety instructions could result in an accident, leading to serious injury or death.

Note: If in any doubt regarding the ability to carry out the instructions, or comply with warnings, seek assistance.

Always find a safe place to stop, off the highway and away from traffic. Switch on the hazard warning lights to alert all traffic of the obstruction. Apply the Electric Parking Brake (EPB) and engage Park (P). Switch the engine off and remove the smart key from the vehicle.

If available, place a warning triangle at a suitable distance behind the vehicle, facing toward oncoming traffic.

Note: Different countries have different traffic laws. Carrying and/or using warning triangles may be required by law when stopping at the side of a highway. The driver is responsible for staying informed about road regulations, and for complying with local traffic laws.

In an emergency or a breakdown situation, wear a reflective jacket if stopped at the side of the road and working around the vehicle.

Note: Different countries have different traffic laws. Carrying and/or wearing reflective jackets may be required by law.

The driver is responsible for staying informed about road regulations, and for complying with local traffic laws.

Make sure that all passengers, and animals, are out of the vehicle and in a safe place, away from the highway.

Make sure that the vehicle and jack are both on firm, level ground. Do not jack the vehicle if it is over a metal grating or manhole cover.

Make sure that the front wheels are in the straight ahead position and engage the steering lock.

Always use the complete jacking lever assembly throughout the wheel changing process, to minimize any chance of accidental injury. Position the jack from the side of the vehicle, in line with the appropriate jacking point.

Do not attempt to raise the vehicle, unless the jack head is fully engaged in the jacking point. Only jack the vehicle using the approved jacking points.

WARNING - THAT NO PERSON SHOULD PLACE ANY PORTION OF THEIR BODY UNDER A VEHICLE THAT IS SUPPORTED BY A JACK.

The jack is designed for wheel changing only. Never work beneath the vehicle with the jack as the only means of support. Always use correctly-rated vehicle support stands, before putting any part of the body beneath the vehicle.

When jacking the vehicle, make sure that all precautions are taken to prevent vehicle movement. As an additional precaution, it is recommended that the wheels of the vehicle are chocked.

When one rear wheel is lifted off the ground, the transmission Park (P) position does not prevent the vehicle from moving. The vehicle can potentially slip off the jack, as the Electric Parking Brake (EPB) operates only on the rear wheels. Use a wheel chock when jacking the vehicle.

Always chock the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to be changed.

Chock the front of a front wheel or the rear of a rear wheel.

If jacking the vehicle on a slight slope is unavoidable, place the chocks on the downhill side of the two opposite wheels. Two chocks must be used if this is the case.

Take care when loosening the lug nuts.

The lug wrench may slip off if not properly attached, and the lug nuts may give way suddenly. Either unexpected movement may cause an injury.

Do not start or run the engine while the vehicle is supported only by a jack.

Remove the spare wheel before jacking the vehicle, to avoid destabilizing the vehicle when raised. Take care when lifting the spare wheel and removing the punctured wheel. The wheels are heavy, and can cause injuries if not handled correctly.

After wheel changing, always secure the tools, jack, and the replaced wheel in the correct storage positions. Such objects, if not properly stored, can become propelled objects in a crash or rollover.

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