Cars and vans need much less maintenance than the vehicles of years ago, but they still have needs. You no longer have to do a service every 6 months, or change the oil every 3 months, but regular fluid changes are still essential to your vehicle’s longevity.
What follows is our quick reference guide to many of the recommended routine maintenance tasks for the Land Rover 90, 110 & Defender models from 1983 to 2007, most of which you can do yourself at home. If you need more guidance, or step-by-step instructions, check out our online manual with videos, or get our traditional printed manual.
Oil Change
| Engine Oil Type | 5W/30 to 25W/50 (Non-TD5 engines) |
| 5W/40 or 5W/50 (TD5 engines) | |
| Engine Oil Capacity (including oil filter) | 6.8 litres (All except 300 TDi and TD5 engines) |
| 6.6 litres (300 TDi engines) | |
| 7.8 litres (TD5 engines) | |
| Oil Drain Plug Torque | 35 Nm (All except 200 TDI and TD5 engines) |
| 45 Nm (200 TDi engines) | |
| 23 Nm (TD5 engines) |
Transmission Fluid Change
| Manual Transmission Fluid Type | ATF to M2C33 (Non-TD5 models) |
| Texaco MTF94 (TD5 models) | |
| Transfer Box Fluid Type | Hypoid gear oil, viscosity SAE 80EP or SAE 90EP to API GL4 (Non-TD5 models) |
| Castrol Syntrax 75W/90 (TD5 models) | |
| Front And Rear Axle Fluid | Hypoid gear oil, viscosity SAE 80EP or SAE 90EP to API GL |
| Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity | 2.67 litres (Non-TD5 models) |
| 2.38 litres (TD5 models) | |
| Transfer Box Capacity | 2.8 litres (LT230R type gearbox) |
| 2.3 litres (LT230T type gearbox up to suffix D) | |
| 2.8 litres (LT230T type gearbox up to suffix E) | |
| Front Axle Capacity | 1.7 litres |
| Rear Axle Capacity | 1.7 litres (90 model) |
| 2.26 litres (110/130 models) | |
| Manual Transmission Fluid Filler/Level Plug Torque | 30 Nm |
| Manual Transmission Fluid Drain Plug Torque | 51 Nm |
| Transfer Box Fluid Filler/Level Plug Torque | 25 Nm |
| Transfer Box Fluid Drain Plug Torque | 30 Nm |
Coolant Renewal
| Coolant Type | 50/50 mix of Ethylene glycol-based antifreeze and water (Non-TD5 models) |
| 50/50 mix of Ethylene glycol-based antifreeze with OAT (Organic Acid Technology) and water (TD5 models) | |
| Coolant System Capacity | 10.8 litres (10J and 12J engines) |
| 11.1 litres (19J, 200 TDi and 300 TDi engines) |
Other Miscellaneous Fluid Types
| Power Steering Fluid | Dexron IID type automatic transmission fluid (ATF) |
| Brake And Clutch Fluid Type | DOT 4 brake fluid |
| Manual Steering Box | Hypoid gear oil, viscosity SAE 80EP or SAE 90EP to API GL4 |
| Swivel Pin Housings | Hypoid gear oil, viscosity SAE 80EP or SAE 90EP to API GL4 (Non-TD5 models) |
| Texaco EP00 grease (TD5 models) |
Other Miscellaneous Torque Specs
| Roadwheel Nuts | 108 Nm (Steel wheels) |
| 130 Nm (Alloy wheels) | |
| Front Brake Caliper Mounting Bolts | 82 Nm |
| Rear Caliper Mounting Bolts | 82 Nm |
| Brake Disc Bolts (front and rear) | 72 Nm |
Land Rover 90, 110 & Defender Maintenance Schedule
The maintenance intervals in this manual are provided with the assumption that you, not the dealer, will be carrying out the work. These are the minimum intervals recommended by us for vehicles driven daily. If you wish to keep your vehicle in peak condition at all times, you may wish to perform some of these procedures more often. We encourage frequent maintenance, since it enhances the efficiency, performance and resale value of your vehicle.
Land Rover Defender service intervals
Non-TD5 engine models
Every 250 miles
- Check the engine oil level
- Check the coolant level
- Check the screenwash fluid level
- Check the brake/clutch fluid level
- Check the tyres and tyre pressures
- Check the condition of the battery
Every 6,000 miles
- Renew the engine oil and filter
- Check the clutch fluid level
- Check the power steering fluid level
- Check and if necessary adjust the engine idle speed
- Check the condition of the brake drums and shoes (where applicable)
- Check the brake wheel cylinders for leaks (where applicable)
- Check the drum brake adjustment (where applicable)
- Check the condition of the brake pads and discs (where applicable)
- Check the brake calipers for leaks (where applicable)
- Check the operation of the handbrake
- Check the handbrake adjustment
- Lubricate the handbrake linkage
- Check the operation of all door, bonnet and tailgate locks
- Lubricate all hinges and locks (including the fuel filler)
- Check the condition of the crankcase breather system hoses
- Check the condition of the auxiliary drivebelt(s) and adjust if necessary
- Check the main gearbox oil level
- Check the transfer gearbox oil level – models up to 1995
- Check the front and rear axle oil levels – models up to 1995
- Check the swivel pin housing oil level – models up to 1995
- Lubricate the rear suspension upper link balljoint (where applicable)
- Check the cooling and heater system hoses for security and leaks
- Check all underbody brake, fuel and clutch pipes and hoses for leaks and condition
- Check the steering and suspension components, including all hydraulic pipes and hoses for leaks and condition
- Check the front and rear axle breathers for obstructions
- Carry out a road test
Every 12,000 miles
In addition to all the items listed above, carry out the following:
- Check the transfer gearbox oil level – models from 1995
- Check the front and rear axle oil levels – models from 1995
- Check the swivel pin housing oil level – models from 1995
- Clean the fuel sedimenter
- Check and if necessary adjust the valve clearances
- Renew the fuel filter element
- Renew the air cleaner element
- Check the condition of the air cleaner dump valve – 200 TDi engine models
- Clean the engine breather filter
- Check the brake vacuum servo hose for security
- Check the condition and security of the glow plug wiring
- Check the operation of the accelerator mechanism, and lubricate the moving components
- Check the radiator and intercooler (where applicable) for obstructions, and clean if necessary
- Check the steering box oil level, and top-up if necessary (manual steering box) – models up to 1995
- Check and if necessary adjust the steering gear backlash – models up to 1995
- Check the security of the jack and tools
- Lubricate the propeller shaft universal joints and sliding joints
- Check the exhaust system for security and condition
- Check the tightness of the propeller shaft coupling bolts
- Drain the flywheel housing and timing belt housing (where applicable)
- Check the security of the fuel tank
- Check the security of the towing bracket
- Check and if necessary adjust the headlight and auxiliary light adjustment
- Check the front wheel alignment
- Check the condition of the spare wheel
- Check the condition and operation of all seat belts
- Renew the main gearbox oil
Every 18,000 miles or 18 months, whichever comes first
In addition to the operations listed under the 6000 mile heading, carry out the following:
- Renew the brake fluid
Every 24,000 miles
In addition to all the items listed above, carry out the following:
- Renew the transfer gearbox oil
- Renew the front and rear axle oil
- Renew the swivel pin housing oil
- Check the fuel injectors for leaks
- Check the fuel injector spray pattern (10J, 12J and 19J engines)
- Check the turbocharger boost pressure
Every 2 years
- Renew the coolant
Every 36,000 miles
In addition to all the items listed above, carry out the following:
- Check the steering box oil level, and top-up if necessary (manual steering box) – models from 1995
- Check and if necessary adjust the steering gear backlash – models from 1995
- Remove all shock absorbers, and check their operation
- Renew the brake vacuum servo air filter
Every 36,000 miles or 3 years, whichever comes first
- Renew all braking system hydraulic fluid seals, the vacuum servo filter, and all flexible brake fluid hoses
Every 48,000 miles or 18 months, whichever comes first
In addition to all the items listed above, carry out the following:
- Clean the intercooler element (where applicable)
Every 60,000 miles or every 5 years, whichever comes first
- Renew the timing belt
Note: This is the manufacturer’s timing belt renewal interval. We recommend that the timing belt is renewed at the 36 000 mile interval, especially on those models which are subjected to use in adverse conditions. The actual belt renewal interval is very much up to the individual owner, but bear in mind that severe engine damage will result if the belt breaks.
TD5 engine models
Every 250 miles
- Check the engine oil level
- Check the coolant level
- Check the screenwash fluid level
- Check the brake/clutch fluid level
- Check the tyres and tyre pressures
- Check the condition of the battery
Every 6,000 miles
- Renew the engine oil
- Check the clutch fluid level
- Check the power steering fluid level
- Check the condition of the brake pads and discs
- Check the brake calipers for leaks (where applicable)
- Check the operation of the handbrake
- Check the handbrake adjustment
- Lubricate the handbrake linkage
- Check the operation of all door, bonnet and tailgate locks
- Lubricate all hinges and locks (including the fuel filler)
- Check the condition of the crankcase breather system hoses
- Check the cooling and heater system hoses for security and leaks
- Check all underbody brake, fuel and clutch pipes and hoses for leaks and condition
- Check the steering and suspension components, including all hydraulic pipes and hoses for leaks and condition
- Carry out a road test
Every 12,000 miles
In addition to all the items listed above, carry out the following:
- Check the condition of the auxiliary drivebelt
- Check the transfer gearbox oil level
- Check the front and rear axle oil levels
- Drain the fuel sedimenter
- Renew the oil centrifuge rotor
- Check the radiator and intercooler for obstructions, and clean if necessary
- Lubricate the propeller shaft universal joints and sliding joints
- Check the exhaust system for security and condition
- Check the tightness of the propeller shaft coupling bolts
- Check ABS wheel speed sensor harness
- Check the security of the towing bracket
- Check and if necessary adjust the headlight and auxiliary light adjustment
- Check the condition and operation of all seat belts
Every 24,000 miles
In addition to all the items listed above, carry out the following:
- Renew the fuel filter element
- Renew the air cleaner element
- Renew the main gearbox oil
- Renew the alarm handset batteries
- Renew the brake fluid
- Renew the transfer gearbox oil
- Renew the front and rear axle oil
Every 36,000 miles
In addition to all the items listed above, carry out the following:
- Check and if necessary adjust the steering gear backlash
- Renew the oil filter cartridge
- Renew the coolant
Every 48,000 miles or 48 months, whichever comes first
In addition to all the items listed above, carry out the following:
- Renew all braking system hydraulic fluid seals, the vacuum servo filter, and all flexible brake fluid hoses
- Clean the intercooler element
Every 96,000 miles
- Renew the auxiliary drivebelt