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Rover 75. Service Manual - part 1

Introduction

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ver Group Limited 2003

Part No. RCL 0524LAN (3rd Edition)

e MG Rover Group environmental policy, this publication is printed on paper made from chlorine free pulp.

served. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, electronic, mechanical, recording or other means without prior written permission from MG Rover Group Limited.

E OWNER'S HANDBOOK

SYMBOLS USED

This handbook describes all of the MG Rover models and standard

The following symbols used within the handbook call your

equipment specifications within the model range. Some of the

attention to specific types of information.

information, therefore, may not apply to your particular car.

This warning symbol identifies procedures that must be

For your convenience, the handbook is divided into subject or

followed precisely, or information that must be considered with

activity-based sections. These are listed on the previous page and

great care, in order to reduce the risk of personal injury or serious

are mostly self-explanatory. However, if you experience difficulty

damage to the car.

in locating a specific item or piece of information, you should

This recycling symbol identifies those items that must be disposed of

consult the alphabetical index near the back of the book.

safely in order to prevent unnecessary damage to the environment.

You should also be aware that the final (Service History) section of

This symbol identifies those features that can be adjusted or disabled/

this handbook is, in effect, a separate publication, which enables a

enabled by an MG Rover dealer

record to be kept of the routine services and inspections carried out

on the car. This section also provides a facility for the dealer to

* An asterisk appearing within the text, identifies features or items

record brake fluid and coolant changes, and the fitting of any major

of equipment that are either optional, or are only fitted to some

replacement components needed during the life of the car.

vehicles in the model range.

Finally, always remember that if you have any queries, concerning

the operation or specification of your car, your MG Rover dealer

STATUS AT TIME OF PRINTING

will be glad to advise you.

MG Rover operate a policy of constant product improvement and

therefore reserve the right to change specifications without notice

at any time. Whilst every effort is made to ensure complete

accuracy of the information in this handbook, no liabilities for

inaccuracies or the consequences thereof, including loss or damage

to property, or injury to persons, can be accepted by the

in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, electronic, mechanical,

recording or other means without prior written permission from MG

manufacturer or the dealer who supplied the handbook, except in

Rover Group Limited.

respect of personal injury caused by the negligence of the

manufacturer or dealer.

Publication Part No. RCL 0548LAN

English 01/2003

As part of the MG Rover Group environmental policy, this publication is

printed on paper made from chlorine free pulp.

Introduction

SECURITY CARD

IN AN EMERGENCY

The security card contains important emergency information. It is

ESSENTIAL that you keep the card safe from theft and ensure that

IMPORTANT

it is passed to the new owner if you sell the car.

Remember the breakdown safety code

• VIN (vehicle identification number): This number is unique to

If a breakdown occurs while travelling:

your vehicle and is essential proof of its specification. The

•

Wherever possible, consistent with road safety and traffic

number can also be found in various locations around the

conditions, the car should be moved off the main thoroughfare,

vehicle (see ‘IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS’, page 212).

preferably into a lay-by. If a breakdown occurs on a motorway,

• Locking wheel nut number: If your vehicle has locking

pull well over to the inside of the hard shoulder.

wheel nuts, you will have been provided with a special wheel

•

Switch on hazard lights.

nut adaptor to remove them. Quote this number if a

•

If possible, position a warning triangle or a flashing amber light at

replacement adaptor is required.

an appropriate distance from the vehicle to warn other traffic of

• Radio serial number: This unique number is stamped into

the breakdown, (note the legal requirements of some countries).

the case of the audio unit, and is proof of the unit’s specification

•

Consider evacuating passengers through nearside doors onto the

and your ownership in the event of theft.

verge as a precaution in case your vehicle is accidentally struck by

• Radio security code number: This unique code must be

other traffic.

entered into the radio whenever the power supply has been

disconnected. Without this code, the radio unit will not

operate.

Never leave the security card inside the car when it is left

unattended. Keep the card on your person in case of

emergencies.

IMPORTANT

When the time comes to sell your car, please remember to pass this

handbook and the Security Card to the new owner. Both must be

considered part of the car and essential to its operation.

Before you Drive

Controls

Locks & Alarm

Seats

Seat Belts

Child Restraints

Airbag SRS

Steering Column

Mirrors

Windows

Sunroof

Heating & Ventilation

Parking Heater

Interior Equipment

In-Car Telephones

Load Carrying - Saloon

Load Carrying - Tourer

Towing

Controls

Before you Drive

Controls

Mirror controls

Front* and rear fog light switches

Main lighting switch

Direction indicators

Instrument panel

Starter switch

Horn

Wiper/washer controls

Clock

10.

Heating/air conditioning controls

11.

Audio system

12.

Interior door locking switch

13.

Hazard warning lights switch

14.

Cruise control switches*

15.

Steering column adjustment lever

16.

Remote audio controls

17.

Bonnet release

18.

Boot release (saloon models)

19.

Instrument dimmer control

20.

Electric window controls

18 17

HB0229b

Locks & Alarm

KEYS AND HANDSETS

ALARM SYSTEM

You have been supplied with two remote handsets with integral

Your car is fitted with a sophisticated electronic anti-theft alarm

keys which operate all locks.

and engine immobilisation system. There are also a number of

additional security features, some of which are selectable options.

Keep the spare handset key in a safe place - NOT IN THE

In order to ensure maximum security and operating convenience,

VEHICLE!

you are strongly advised to gain a full understanding of the features

and alternatives available, by thoroughly reading this section of the

The keys supplied with your car are programmed to your security

handbook.

system - they CANNOT be re-programmed and the engine

cannot be started without a key programmed to your car. If a key

NOTE: FOR MAXIMUM SECURITY ALWAYS

is lost or broken, a replacement can only be ordered from an MG

SUPERLOCK THE VEHICLE USING THE REMOTE

Rover dealer.

HANDSET (except when passengers are to be left inside the car).

NOTE: MG Rover dealers do not stock spare keys, time has to be

allowed for replacements to be programmed to your security system and then

ENGINE IMMOBILISATION

delivered to the dealer.

Engine immobilisation is an important aspect of the security

system, it is designed to safeguard the vehicle from theft, should

If you lose a key, contact your MG Rover dealer; a key reported

the driver forget to lock the doors and prevents the engine from

lost will be deactivated. If the key is recovered, your dealer can

being started unless the GENUINE handset key is inserted into the

have it reactivated.

starter switch. Engine immobilisation is automatic whenever any

of the following conditions occur:

• Three seconds after the starter switch has been turned off.

• If the key is removed from the starter switch.

The engine will be re-mobilised automatically whenever

the genuine handset key is inserted into the starter switch

and turned to the first position.

Locks & Alarm

LOCKING THE CAR AND ARMING THE ALARM

Locking

Using the remote handset

With the remote handset:

1. Shut the doors, bonnet and luggage compartment.

2. Press the lock (padlock symbol) button once:

• all doors are superlocked (see ‘Superlocking’, page 9)

• perimetric alarm activated (protects the doors, bonnet

and luggage compartment)

• interior space protection activated*

3. The direction indicator lights flash three times to confirm that

the car is securely locked and the anti-theft alarm indicator

light (in the instrument panel) starts to flash.

With the key:

1. Insert the key and turn the door lock towards the rear of the

car:

H2698b

• all doors locked (not superlocked)

While it is not necessary to point the handset at the car, the handset

• perimetric alarm activated (protects the doors, bonnet

must be within range when the buttons are pressed. Note that the

and luggage compartment)

operating range may vary depending upon handset battery

• NO INTERIOR SPACE PROTECTION

condition and may sometimes be limited by physical and

2. The direction indicator lights flash three times to confirm that

geographical factors beyond your control. From a security point of

the car is securely locked and the anti-theft alarm indicator

view, it may not be wise to unlock unless you are close enough to

light (in the instrument panel) starts to flash.

visually confirm that the doors have locked.

Locks & Alarm

Superlocking

Anti-theft alarm indicator light

The light provides information about the status of the alarm

For safety, NEVER use Superlocking if passengers are to

system, as follows:

remain inside the car - in an emergency they would not be able

• When the alarm is armed:

to escape. Also, on cars fitted with interior space protection, any

The light flashes RAPIDLY while the alarm is arming itself.

movement from inside the car would activate the alarm.

After ten seconds, the light adjusts to a slower frequency and

Provided all the doors are fully closed, the superlocking feature is

continues to flash as an anti-theft deterrent until the alarm is

activated automatically whenever the car is locked using the

disarmed.

remote handset. Superlocking immobilises the interior door

• When the alarm is partially armed: (mislock)

handles, thereby preventing an intruder from gaining entry by

The light flashes SLOWLY for 10 seconds, then flashes as an

smashing a window and reaching inside the car to operate the door

anti-theft deterrent (as above) until the alarm is disarmed.

handles.

• When the alarm has been triggered:

If the light flashes after the car is unlocked, this indicates that

Mislock

the alarm has been triggered during the driver’s absence. The

If the driver's door is not fully closed when the handset lock button

light will flash for up to one minute or until the starter switch

is pressed, the alarm sounder or vehicle horn will sound once,

is turned on.

indicating a mislock. In this case, none of the doors will lock and

the alarm system will not be armed.

If the alarm sounds

If a passenger door, bonnet or the luggage compartment is not fully

If the alarm is triggered, the alarm sounder or vehicle horn will

closed when the handset lock button is pressed, the alarm sounder

sound for 30 seconds before switching off and resetting itself to the

or vehicle horn will sound once, indicating a mislock. However,

same protection status that existed prior to the alarm being

the ‘partial arming’ attributes of the security system will enable as

triggered.To silence the alarm, press either button on the remote

much of the system to be armed as possible (all fully closed door,

handset, or lock/unlock the door using the key.

bonnet or luggage compartment apertures will be protected, but

an open door will not!). As soon as the open aperture is closed, the

system will automatically revert to an armed state.

NOTE: If a mislock occurs as a result of an open door, the superlocking

and interior space protection features will not be activated, until the door is

closed and the locking process is repeated.

Locks & Alarm

Unlocking

Interior locking switch

With the remote handset:

• Press the unlock button once. This will disarm the alarm and

unlock the driver's door only (see ‘Single point entry’).

• Press the unlock button twice to disarm the alarm and unlock

ALL the doors.

In either case, the direction indicator lights flash once and the

interior lights illuminate.

With the key:

• Turn the key in the driver's door lock towards the front of the

car to disarm the alarm and unlock the driver's door only (see

‘Single point entry’).

H2781a

• Turn the key twice (or press the interior locking button), to

unlock ALL the doors.

This is a personal security feature which allows the driver to lock

(or unlock) all the doors from inside the car (while driving or with

Single point entry

the car stationary). Press the closed padlock symbol on the switch

This feature can be disabled by an MG Rover dealer.

to lock (the alarm will not be armed), and the open padlock

symbol to unlock.

This is a personal security feature, which enables the driver's door

NOTE: The locking switch will not operate the locks if the alarm has been

alone to be unlocked, leaving the other doors in a locked state. It

armed.

can be operated by the remote handset as follows:

Press the unlock button once (or turn the key in the driver’s door

lock towards the front of the car) to unlock the driver’s door. Press

the unlock button (or turn the key) a second time to unlock the

remaining doors.

Locks & Alarm

Interior door handles and door sill locking buttons

Interior space protection*

From inside the car, each door can be individually locked by

Never activate interior space protection if passengers or

depressing the appropriate door sill button. However, doors

animals are to be left inside the car - any movement will

cannot be unlocked by raising the sill button.

activate the alarm.

Use the door handles to unlock, as follows:

1. First operation of the door handle unlocks the door.

2. Second operation of the door handle opens the door.

Speed-related locking*

Speed related locking can be selected or deselected by an MG Rover

dealer.

This feature locks all the doors automatically when the road speed

exceeds 4 km/h and the boot or tailgate when speed has reached

HB0494

10 km/h. Similarly, the door, boot (or tailgate) locks will unlock

automatically when the car has slowed to the same speeds.

Interior space protection (ultrasonics) is designed to protect the

This feature is not selectable by the driver, and operation of the

interior of the car from intrusion (entry by a thief through a

door locks by any other means (interior locking switch on the

smashed window, for example). Ultrasonic sensors, mounted on

centre console, for example) will disable the speed-related locking

the roof lining, monitor the interior space and activate the alarm if

function for the remainder of the journey, or until the starter

air movement is detected in the passenger compartment.

switch is turned off and on again.

NOTE: Interior space protection cannot be activated if a door, window or

sunroof is open, or if the starter switch is turned on.

Using the handset: Interior space protection is activated

automatically whenever the remote handset is used to set the

alarm.

Key operation: Using the key to set the alarm will NOT activate

interior space protection.

Locks & Alarm

LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT (Saloon models)

For convenience, with the alarm system armed, the luggage

compartment can be unlocked and opened USING THE KEY,

Do not drive with the luggage compartment open, as poisonous

without activating the alarm (the rest of the car will remain

exhaust gases will enter the car.

protected and the engine immobilised during this process). The

alarm will automatically rearm as soon as the boot lid is closed.

HB0511

To open, turn the key clockwise in the lock or, from inside the

car, press the release button in the driver's footwell. The luggage

compartment and interior lights switch on automatically when the

boot lid is opened.

The luggage compartment is automatically locked when the boot

lid is closed.

NOTE: The interior release button is not operational when the alarm

system is armed.

Locks & Alarm

TAILGATE (Tourer models)

Do not drive with the tailgate open, as poisonous exhaust gases

will enter the car.

HB0037

When closing the tailgate, use the two hand grips set into the trim

panel on the inside of the tailgate (arrowed in illustration) to pull

the tailgate down. When the tailgate is partially closed, release the

hand grips and apply light downward pressure on the outside of the

HB0510a

tailgate below the number plate to close.

The tailgate and tailgate window are included in the car's central

NOTE: The luggage compartment and interior lights illuminate

locking system and lock/unlock automatically in tandem with the

automatically when either the tailgate or tailgate window are opened.

doors.

NOTE: On cars equipped with speed-related locking, if the car has

To open the tailgate, the central door locking system must be

stopped abruptly, and the starter switch is immediately turned off, the

unlocked (press the unlock button on the handset twice, or turn

speed-related locking control unit may not have had time to unlock the

the door key to the unlock position twice). Operate the release

tailgate - if this occurs, turn the starter switch on again for a few seconds

catch concealed in the underside of the tailgate trim applique

and then the tailgate can be opened as normal.

feature (see inset).

Locks & Alarm

Tailgate window

Tailgate emergency release

Do not drive with the tailgate window open, as poisonous

exhaust gases will enter the car.

HB0500

If the battery is disconnected or discharged, the tailgate can be

opened manually as follows:

• Fold the rear seat cushion forward to gain access to the

loadspace.

• Remove the loadspace cover cassette, see‘LOADSPACE

COVER’, page 66.

• Twist the two turnbuckles a quarter turn anti-clockwise to

release the tailgate storage cover.

HB0031b

• Lever out plastic tab and pull to release the tailgate.

The tailgate window should only be opened when the tailgate is

closed. With the central door locking system unlocked (handset

unlock button pressed twice, or door key turned to the unlock

position twice), operate the switch concealed beneath the rear

wiper mounting to open (see illustration).

Locks & Alarm

CHILD-PROOF LOCKS

NEVER leave children unsupervised in the car.

H2691

Move the locking levers on the rear doors down to engage the

child locks.

With the child-proof locks engaged, the rear doors cannot be

opened from inside the car, thereby avoiding the risk of a door

being opened accidentally while the car is moving.

Locks & Alarm

REMOTE HANDSET BATTERY

Battery replacement

1. Insert the blade of a small flat-bladed screwdriver into the slot

The handset contains delicate electronic circuits and must be

at the rear of the handset and prise the rear of the back

protected from impact and water damage, high temperatures

upwards.

and humidity, direct sunlight and the effects of solvents, waxes and

2. Insert the screwdriver blade horizontally into the side of the

abrasive cleaners.

handset and then slide it towards the key. Lift off the back of

the handset.

3. Use the screwdriver to prise the battery from its mounting,

taking care to avoid touching the circuit board or the metal

battery contacts.

NOTE: Finger marks will adversely affect battery life; if possible,

avoid touching the flat surfaces of the battery and wipe them clean

before fitting.

4. Fit the new battery, ensuring that correct polarity is

maintained (‘+’ side facing up).

5. Press the two halves of the handset firmly together and ensure

that both halves are fully joined to prevent dirt or moisture

from entering the handset.

6. To resynchronise the handset, operate either button four

times in quick succession. On the fourth press the door should

H2692a

lock or unlock, confirming resynchronisation.

The handset battery should last for approximately three years

The handset is now ready for use.

dependent upon use. It is recommended that you fit an MG Rover

YWK10003 or a Panasonic CR2032 replacement battery.

Handset re-synchronisation

When the battery needs replacing it will be apparent from a

If the handset fails to arm or disarm the alarm, this may be because

gradual deterioration in range and performance.

the coded signal transmitted by the handset, is no longer

synchronised with the receiver unit in the starter switch.

On cars fitted with a message centre, a warning icon and message

will be displayed when the battery needs replacing (see ‘Handset

To re-synchronise the handset, hold the handset in close proximity

(key) battery low - RED’, page 87).

to the car and operate either handset button at least four times in

quick succession.

Seats

CORRECT SEATING POSITION

HEAD RESTRAINTS

To avoid the risk of loss of control and personal injury, DO

Adjust the head restraint so that the cushion is level with the

NOT adjust the seats while the car is moving.

back of the head - NOT THE NECK!

The driver and front passenger seats should be positioned as far

rearward as practical. Ideally the seat should be positioned so that

the steering wheel can be held with the arms slightly bent and the

seat back in a nearly upright position.

Take care when adjusting the height of the driver's seat - a rear

seat passenger's feet might become trapped when lowering the

seat rearwards.

DO NOT allow front seat occupants to travel with the seat

backs reclined steeply rearwards. Optimum benefit is obtained

from the seat belt with the backrest angle set to approximately 25°

from the upright (vertical).

Head restraints are designed to restrain rearward movement of the

head in the event of an accident or sudden stop - a properly

H3248

adjusted head restraint can considerably reduce the risk of neck and

Raise or lower the restraint until the cushion is level with the back

head injuries.

of the head.

Make sure your driving position is comfortable and enables you to

To lower the restraint, depress the button (arrowed) and push the

maintain full control of the vehicle. A properly adjusted seat helps

restraint downwards. To raise the restraint, pull the restraint

reduce the risk of injury from sitting too close to an inflating

upwards without depressing the button.

airbag.

On some models the angle of the restraint can be adjusted. Tilt the

Your car is fitted with side impact airbags. Refer to the Airbag

restraint to ensure it is as close to the back of the head as possible.

SRS section of this handbook before fitting seat covers, or

carrying out any repair or retrimming operations to the seat or seat

To remove the head restraint, depress the button on the left hand

covers.

mounting and pull the restraint upwards.

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