I have read numerous posts regarding, or complaining, about not being able to move forward or reverse when the door is open. Some claim they want to be able to open the drivers door during off-road driving to watch their rear wheel position due to rocks or ruts or whatever but attribute the inability to the ‘nanny’ state of JLR. After reading these for who knows how long, I just went out and tried several experiments. I was able to drive forward and reverse with the door open. In my experience, while in drive with my foot on the brake, if I opened the drivers side door the vehicle went into park. I simply selected Drive again and was able to move forward. In reverse, with my foot on the brake when I opened the drivers side door I could hear the EPB, or electronic parking brake being actuated, and if I recall it shifted to Park. I again shifted to Reverse and after hearing the EPB engage I manually released it and was able to proceed in reverse. Smart cars are designed for dumb people, so it assumes that if the door is opened while in gear, it tries to save the driver from their own shortcomings by shifting into Park and applying the EPB. And I’m further assuming that once you ‘tell’ the vehicle, “hey, I know the door is open because I’ve shifted into gear again AND disengaged the EPB, yes, I want to proceed”, then it will allow you to advance. Just my observations but I will continue to test this out under various conditions.


When in doubt, one can always read the manual. I keep a shortcut link to the manual in my browser on my tablet so that I can reference any information quickly and easily.

 

I just found this same thing this weekend. Before i had just believed it wouldnt allow the vehicle to move with the door opened. I should read more.

 

Funny thing is, when I ordered my Defender and realized it would be 6+ months before delivery, I downloaded the Owners Manual and read it cover to cover. Hey, what else to do with all that time, plus I was so excited I wanted to know all I could about it prior to delivery. But I also discovered that every inquiry I had concerning a feature or accessory that I put to my salesman, he seemed to have little knowledge to guide me. By the time I picked it up, I was educating him on most of its finer points. Yet, nearly every time I dropped by the dealership and stuck my head in his office, he seemed to have enough time to acquaint himself with the vehicles he was promoting. I’ve never been a car salesman, but I believe if I were in that line of work I would strive to know all I could about the line of vehicles I purportedly stood behind.