Can any one tell us how to disengage the parking break and how to move the gear to neutral in case of a breakdown off-road. We do a lot of off-roading in the desert and many cars tend to break down in remote areas. And I was wondering if that would ever happen to me in my defender how would I tow the car back to the road.

 

Lift off the plastic cover and pull the manual release on the RHS of the car for the 3.0L Gas LHS for all other engines.

 

I can’t remember where I got this document, it might have been another post here.

 

There are 2 things going on. 1) the parking brake. 2) the transmission automatically putting itself in park ... that little lever under the hood does the transmission and not the parking brake I believe... I think it's a bit tricky to get both to be off with the ignition off to be honest.

A few months ago I was driving around idk 5-8 mph in a parking lot and realized my sweater which was tied around my waist had an arm hanging out the door, I opened the door and the Defender literally slammed itself into park. I was not pleased (nor was the person immediately behind me who honked). It was definitely the trans going into park (P indicated), not the parking brake. You would not think 5mph is fast until you slam into park.

 

100% right. The recovery guide covers both the EPB and the transmission park. You need to cover both bases.

I'm too dumb to figure out how to attach a PDF to a post here. That recovery guide is not in the online user manual . Not sure if it's in the paper copy. Will have to take a look.

It's bloody nuts not being able to open the door at low speeds.

 

As mentioned here, two steps. Transmission to neutral via the lever under the engine plastic cover. Then with ignition on (pressing start/stop button without pressing the break pedal) proceed to release the electric parking break via the electric parking break release (i.e. with brake pedal pressed use ECB release and you should hear the sound of the ECB releasing)

 

I do certainly and fervently hope that the JLR folks cease the absolute nanny madness of the vehicle slamming on the parking brake and taking the vehicle out of gear when opening the driver's door when the vehicle is slowing rolling. I will not buy another of their vehicles which have this unsafe feature.

If the INSIDER still checks in now and again, please HELP !!!

 

Recommend printing that recovery guide that @Defender90NY posted and putting it in your vehicle...

 

Gotta say the "recovery guide" is almost useless. Every step has a 'don't do this'

Great to see that the way to disengage the parking brake with a dead battery is to disassemble the EPB components on the rear wheels! geez. No "try and attach the vehicle to power and release the EPB" just pull a wheel and remove stuff...

I understand the need for the warnings, but once past they, can't they just give a nice 3 step process to accomplish the recovery?

 

As someone who has done a few too many stupid acceleration attempts with highly over-horsepowered automobiles.... Dragging a Defender up a tow truck's lift bed (the kind that carry the vehicle, not the kind that tow's the vehicle) isn't going to harm much rubber and definitely won't challenge the brake system. Worst case, the Defender gets dragged 15 yards. I've "burned rubber" enough to know that you won't lose much off the tires having the vehicle recovered.