I see in the owners' manual there is a warning - don't turn the steering wheel when the engine isn't running.

Why is this?

If you try it you'll find that with no power assistance the steering is very very heavy. So heavy that I'd be concerned about damaging something in the steering column.

In an emergency, say if the car won't start but you need to move it, you probably won't break anything, but if you can try to turn the wheel when the car is moving - even very slowly it will reduce the load on the steering significantly.

Turning wheel when not moving bad for tyres and tarmac driveway  If it wasn't so bad it'd be funny.

🐑
Freelander 2 HSE auto 2014 ( Florrie ) ..... Try again.
Freelander 2 GS 2012...... Gone.

You need to be a Gorilla My pump belt jockey pulley failed several weeks ago and I went for a just get the sod home approach and it was near impossible to turn the wheels.

My guess for the note will be the anti theft locking pin will be in the steering shaft when engine is not running and you may shear it or do other damage. FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

Or the pin WON'T be in the shaft, but will jump in suddenly locking the steering with a considerable residual force on the system. Everyone can spread it - Anyone can catch it. Stay home - the life you save can be your own!

But remember in the old days when few cars had power steering? Perhaps the gearing was different on the rack and pinion in those days but we must had had stronger arms. Now you get PAS on the smallest of vehicles. 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE