Triumph TR8 1980 User manual

~~ Published by
I:,tJ BL Cars Limited
Pub'M:.atOon PIort No. AKM 4335
JAGUAR ROVER TRIUMPH INC.
bOO WILLOW TREE ROAD, LEONIA
NEW
JERSEY 07b05

In alt communicatIons rel.llIng to Service or Spares. pleasc quotc thc CommiSSion Numbcr (ChassIs Number Ipaln\ and ,"m
numbers Thesc arc stamped on a plate allachcd to Ihe lelt- and door rear closing lace The CommiSSIon Numbcr IS also
stamped on aplate attached to the left· hand windscreen plltar and IS vIsible through thc scrcen
Whcn L.H. or A.H. is uscd in thc tCltt, this rcfers 10 thc left-hand or Right-hand of the vchiclc. vicwed from thc driver's seat.
The
Manufactu.ers rcserve the IIghl to varv thcu specifications wrlh or without notice, ar'd al such IImcs and tn such manner as
Ihey thtnk fit
Major as wcll as mlnOI changes may be Invol\cd In accordance Wll the Manulacturcr's pohcy 01 conStant pr uct
Improvcment
WhilSt every effoll IS made (0 ensure Ihe accuracy of paruculars contained III Hils Handbook, nClthcr The Manufacturer nor the
Deater.
by whom thiS Handbook IS supphed. shall In any Clrcumstanccs be held !tablc lor any ,"accuracy or the consequences
I ereol
AU fights rcserved a patl of thiS publicatIon may by repr uced Slorcd tn aretneval systcm or transmitted In any IOfm.
electroniC. rnecharucal. phOtOCopyrng,
record,"g o. an olher means wllhout puo. wflllen permiSSion Irom the Se.",ce D,vISIon of
Jaguar Rover T flwnph
2

Introduction
Controls. Instruments and Indicators
Body Finings
Seats and Safety Harness
Heating. Ventilation and Air Conditioning
Running Instructions
Towing II Caravan or Trailer
Automatic Transmission
Wheels and Tyres
Cooling System
Electrical System
Care of Bodywork
CONTENTS
5
7
19
27
31
35
40
45
49
53
57
67
3

IMPORTANT
CAT ALYTIC CONVERTER SPECIFICATION VEHICLES
The TRB IS designed to operate on UNLEADED fuels of 91 octane
It IS essential that only unleaded fuels are used In thiS vehicle otherWise seriOUS damage can 1)8 caused (0 the CatalytiC
Conv rter
Do not use oxygenated fuels such as blends
of methanol/gasoline or ethanol/gasoline Ie g G SAHOU
4

INTRODUCTION
Now that you have taken delivery of your new car, please read this Handbook carefully to familiarize yourself with the controls and
other features, which have been deSigned for yow safety and comfort
The lock key number IS stamped on the lag attatched to the larger key 01 your key-sel, and IS nOI 5110wn on the key or lock
Please make a record at thiS number as you will need It to obtain a replacement
Servicing
Before receiving your new car II Will have undergone an Inspection to ensure that all systems are workl11g and the vehicle IS
complete to specification,
After completing 1000 miles the vehicle should be relurned to the seiling Doaler who will carry out the first Important service
and make whalever adjustments are requl'ed free of charge except for cost of lubricants
Subsequent to the free serVice, maintenance and servICing of the vehicle IS the responSibility of the owner who IS adVised to
make lull use of the planned maintenance operated by all Jaguar Rover Triumph franchise holders The opera lions carried out by
your Dealer Will be In accordance With current recommendations and rnay be subJectlO revISion from time to lime
The 'Passport 10 Service' which Includes the 'Owners Service Statement has prOVISIOn for the Dealer to cortlfy Ihal the work has
been performed In accordance With current recommendations Regular use of thePCissport to Service' at the speCified mtervals
IS the best safeguard against the pOSSibility of abnormal repaIr bills at a later date and wOlild constltll\e proof of regular serVICing,
thus enhilnclng the value of your car 10 a prospective buyer
Jaguar Rover-Triumph Inc. Dealers are prOVided wrth the laleSt Information cUllcernm9 speCial lools and workshop
techniques. enablmg therll to undertake your service and repairs mthe most eftlClent andeconOlTllc lllanTler

CONTROLS, INSTRUMENTS AND INDICATORS
Before entering the vehicle:-
- Check that the windows are clean and visibility is not impaired.
-Check that light lenses are clean.
- Check lyres for condition and correct pressure.
-Check that the area around the car is clear of driving hazards before driving off.
- Check that the bonnet and boot are securely closed.
On entering the vehicle:-
- Adjust the seats and head restraints.
- Adjust the interior and exterior (Door) mirrors.
- Fasten seat belts, ensure that passengers do likewise.
- Check the operation of light switches. horn and hazard warning.
- With the ignition switched on, check the operation of all warning lights.
6

CONTROLS, INSTRUMENTS AND INDICATORS
7

CONTROLS, INSTRUMENTS AND INDICATORS
CONTROLS INSTRUMENTS ANO INOICATORS
Item Description Page Ref hem Description
Page Ref
Fascia SldEl venl
30
10 Glove box lock
20
2
CombinatIon SWitch 13
II
Air conditioning healer controls
?J 29
3
InSlrumems and warning indicators II 12 Air conditiOning cut·om SWitch
28
4
Windscreen wiper and washer control
14 13
Instrument l1um,nallon rheostat 15
5
Master Ilghlmg SWitch
14 14 Gear selector lever
16
6
Heated Rear Screen Swrtch
15 15
CIgar Ighler 15
7FasCIa central alf vent 30 16 Pedals 16
8Fog lamp SWitch
15
17
Bonnel release cantrol I.
•Hazard
warning $wl1ch 15
8

"CONTROLS,
INSTRUMENTS AND INDICATORS
Fig. 1
12345 6 7 8 910 1
716 115 14 13 12
11
2339

CONTROLS, INSTRUMENTS AND INDICATORS
Ignition/Starter Switch and Steering Lock (Fig 2)
o All I clrlcal circuit sWllched olf mechanical lock pr -S I
when k y IS removed
1Auxill ry posilion
2 Ignition.
3. Start
Unlocking Sequence (clockwls ) Insert th key nlLirn I 0
posilion '1' If Iftculty IS ncotln ered, u n the se fI g
wheel slightly to rheve th load on the lock boll The
leering wh el h uld no eIre La lurn
Fig.2
2333
10
This operation should be performed only after the following
requirements have been carried out in the correct
sequence:- 1. OCCUPANTS SEATED; 2, DOORS CLOSED; 3.
SEAT BELTS FASTENED; 4, GEARS NEUTRAL. Refer to
'Running Instructions',
To SWitch on the Ignition. urn the key to OSIlion '2' urther
o e nent to pOSItion '3 opera es the starter motor Th key
will ret n0 position '2' wh nreleas
Locking Sequence (an I cI c WI )T rnlll Lh ey irom
POSI I l' 'to' 'will SWitch 0I he Inl Ion Pus th k YfL lIy
towards he 10 and Uf I 0 OSIIIon '0' Withdraw he e
and mov th st erlng wh I slightly to sure hal lhe lac
bol IS fully engaged
WARNING. If for any reason the ignition is switched off
while the car is in motion DO NOT ATTEMPT TO
DEPRESS OR TURN THE KEY TO POSITION '0', as this
constitutes part of the steering lock sequence, The
designed operating sequence prevents the engine being
started with the steering LOCKED. Serious
consequences can result from alterations or substitution
of the ignition start switch which would permit the
engine to be started with the LOCK ENGAGED. Under no
circumstances must the ignition start function be
separated from the steering lock.

Speedometer (Fig. 3)
Tile speedometer Indicates the road speed of the vehicle In
miles and kilometres per hour, It also combines the following
indicators:
I1 ) Trip odometer -The figures within the aperture above
the
centre of the dial may be used to record the
distance of each Journey provided that the figures are
pre-set
to zero by turning clockWise the knob thai
extends downwards from behllld Ihe IllS ruments,
( 2 1 Odometer -The figu rwlthlJl til aperture below the
centre of tie dial records the lotal mileage of lhe
vehicle and may eused as a ulde 10 periodiC
lubrication and maintenance
Tachometer (Fig, 31
The tachometer Indicates the englll speed In revolutions pel
minute and is calibrate III Incr menlS of 500, eXlendlngo
7,000 r,p.m
Recommendations concerning til speed range are give
under 'Running InSlrUClions'
Warning Lights (Fig 3)
13) Oxygen Sensor (PI vehicles onlyl
The Oxygen Sensor Indicator glows wen the sensors
require renewal. ThiS Will occur Ithe mileag Interv I
staled III the Maintenance Handbook Consult your
dealer as soon as convenl nt <lfler tile Indlcalol
ilium Ina les
The IildlCalOr glows when he starter motor IS operated,
failure to do so Indlcat s bulb failure,
CONTROLS, INSTRUMENTS AND INDICATORS
Fig,3
and (S) Direction indicaror monitors -The arrow
In IcalOr (4) glows green Intermittently wh nthe
steerlll column combillation sWllch IS 1110V 10 Signal
a
lefl-hand lUI nThe In Icatol (5) glows, Ii1arly wh n
the
SWI ch IS Illoveclto Signal a rl ht-hand turn
( ) Not used on US vehicles
( 7) Ignition .- The 'Ignition' mdicalor glows red when the
IIlltlOn IS sWllche on an IS extln ulshed when til
erlgillp. IS rllllnln(
18 1Oil pressure -Thp 'all' Indicator glows when th
I /lIlian IS SWitched on and IS extlllgulsiled wilen the
8nglne IS runnrn~J
11

CONTROLS, INSTRUMENTS AND INDICATORS
Fig,4
,", , ~
( 9 I Brakes - Should I dure of the Iront 01 leal hydraulic
brake lines occur. the Inellcarol Will glow The causl'
mUSt e recti led Imm dlately.
The system IIlcorporales a ul tesl faclllly I hl'
Indicator should glow w len [he staner motor I
operated, failure to do so Indicates a Bulty bulb
110) Belts - The 'Belts' Inellcator will glow for approx-
Imately ten secon s when the engine IS s aned If the
nv r has not fas ened hiS seat el This will b
accompanied by an audible alarm If t e driver astens
hiS seat bIt before starlin the engllle, the IIldrcaiQr
will glow wltlloUt the audible warning R fro
'R unnlng Instructions'
and {51 Direction indicator monitors - The arrowed
IndlCaLOr 14) glows green lIliermlilemly wilen the
slDerlllg column com Inatlon SWlich IS moved to 51 nal
a lell-hand lurn The Indica lOr (5) glows slInllarly when
the sWllch IS moved to Sl /lal IghHland turn
1131 Main beam - Ttle 'Beam' IIldlcator glows blue \her.
main )8amS .r selected and IS eXiingUished durlllg
dipped flear op ra Ions
1141 Fuel -Th ue mdlc lor glows whe the quantity of
uIIn the lank ails below 6 8 I tres (1 5 g' 1I0nsi Fuel
sur e may c us he In IC lOr to glow Inl rmll[ Illly
before the luells redllc dlO IllS iJiTlOU l
Warning lights (Fig 4)
The warlllllg II hI layout on ear II er veillci S IS
13) Main beam The 'Beam' Illdlcator lows blu when
ma nl)e8ll1lS r selecled anel IS extingUIshed dllllllg
dipped beam 0era Ion
141
11 II Park Brake -Tile palk bra eIlleilcalOr glows when Ihe
IlarJ(ibra eIS applied an the Ignltloll IS sWitched Oil
112) Coolant -The Coolant In IcalOr glows when he
coolant level III Ihe header lank IS 100 low The laull
Siloulci be lectlfled Immedla ely by to plllg up tile
header lank 10 I~le recomrn nd dillS rUCliOIl Ipage 551
A prudollt watch Slloulcl be kept all th coolan
I mper lur, g uge to ensure hal he ngln cia snOI
overheat
The 1/)(JICiJIOI glows or Ihr ee seconds when the II 'l1l10n
IS SWitched on, farlur 10 clo so nOlcales l)u111 fallu "
• ~ • • I _
-' .. ,: 231.8
-:;,-
)
12

1 6) Demist ~ The Demlst indicator glows when lhe real
screen element 1$ sWitched on
17) Ignition ~ The 'Ignition' Indicator glows red when the
Ignition IS sWitched on and IS extinguished when the
engine IS runnlnq
{ 8) Oil pressure ~ The 'Oil' mdlcator glows when the
Ignition 1$ sWitched on and IS extinguished when the
engine IS runnmg
(9 1 Brakes ~ Should failure of the front or rear hydraulic
brake Imes occur, or If lhe handbrake IS left 'on' the
Indicator Will glow It the lamp glows, mdlcatlng f8llwe
of lhe hydrauliC system, the cause must be rectified
Immediately
The IndlcalOr should lIummate wIlen the starler motor
IS operated. fallule to d so Indicates bulb failure
{101 Belts ~ The Seat BI'lt warning light' Will glow when
the Ignition IS SWitched on and a vehicle occupant has
nOl fastl'ned aseat be tThl$ will be accompanied by
on iludlble alarm Refer 10 Running Instructions'
(1 1) Not used on USA vehicles
CONTROLS, INSTRUMENTS AND INDICATORS
112) Fuel ~ The Fuel indiCator glows when the Quantity 01
fuel In the tank falls below 68 Illres 11 5 gallons IFuel
sUlge may cause lhe indicator to glow Interrnlttently
before Ihe fuel IS reduced to lhlS amount
{131 Fog (optional fllment) ~ If the vehicle IS equlppod with
fog lamps, the Indicator Will gtow when the CHCUIt IS
operative
(14) Not used on USA vehicles
13

CONTROLS. INSTRUMENTS AND INDICATORS
Fig. 5
14
Clock (Fig 51
The hands of the electrically operated clock can be reset by
turning the knob localed below the Instrument and extending
from the lower fascIa rail
Water Temperature Indicator (Fig 51
The gauge IS marked 'C (cold) and -H' (holl. Indicating the
temperature at the coolant as It leaves the cylinder head I\IS
efleclive when the Ignilion IS sWitched on
When the Ignition IS switched off the needle should return to
zero
Fuel Gauge (Fig 51
The gauge mdicates the contents of the fuel lank Allow thirty
seconds for the gauge needle to reach asteady reading after
sWitching on the 19n1llon
When the Ignition IS sWl1ched off the needle should return to
zero
Voltmeter IFlg 5)
The voltmeter registers the bal1ery"s state of charge if the
gauge registers In the lower reel sector under normal running
conditions. the cause should be Investigated

Combination Switch (Fig 6)
he s(.erln9- umn combma tOn sw, ch s r es he 0110 Ing
purpos S
Horns -T ope a e he horns pr ss
en 0 . e control
CONTROLS. INSTRUMENTS AND INDICATORS
Fig.6
2332
Fi .7
Wind creen Wiper and Washer Control (1"19 7)
Tl control IS ell CLIVe only wh nIh Ignition IS SWIIC eel on
For
continuous operation a lh wo sp Wipers, move h
con rol Ilpwards 0 posi Ion Ifor low speed operation. or
ully upwar s\0 POSI Ion 2' lor hIgh sp d operatlor For
bnef use 0h wipe. move he con rol downwards agems
s f1ng pr ssur W,p ng will cees en' eCOnt'O IS
re eased
s'e 00 h
229
15

CONTROLS, INSTRUMENTS AND INDICATORS
Fig.8
12 3 4
1587
Master Lighting Switch /1 Fig 8)
r ( la~e Ine' r ern lighting SWI eh
uppe POSI Ion '0 II
o tle 0 and
adllarrlps a(I Illu ar r
If the headlamp Ii mechanism ails 0raise he headlamps,
refer to 'Elecirical Sys em - Headlamps.
Heated Rear Screen Switch ~2, FI 8)
Mav' hSWllch 11fl1 0he lower POSI 1011 to 081 al Illl'
healed rar screen, which Will operale only when [h IlJrllllon
IS sWitched 'ON'
A lamp IIlcorporated III th , sWitch will illuminate willi tile
h at-r IS operating
Do no eav sWlLched 0 or longer han IS I flCt'S
eca se 0' heavy curr nt cor su ptton
T:'."" cOFF' ._I al -0 ;ne upper )Sltlon
The hea er should no be used 0 remove snow or ice. bu
may be used periodically 0 emove condensa'ion or 0
prevent ice ormation.

Fog Lamp Switch lwhere fill d) (3, Fig 8)
Movo lhe sw lch bar to the mid POSI Ion 0 illuminate ihe rear
og guard lamps only
Move he SWI eh bar 10 lh lower pOSlllon to illumlna ne
ronl an rear og lamps
Move h SWI ch i'lf [0 lhe upper POSI Ion La e llngUish lhe
lamps
A arnlng famp lncorpora' dIn .he s. Itch will ilium nate
wmle the la p ClrCUI IS SWI hea 0
Instrument Illumination R eostat
See aster L,g 1119 Sitch'
CONTROLS, INSTRUMENTS AND INDICATORS
Cigar-lighter (2, Fig 9)
The cigar II hler is operated y pushing ItS knob Inwards La
heal the I ment Wilen a pr determined emperalure IS
reached. the element IS elec ed frOITl he hea POSI Ion from
whence I may e WI hclrawn or use A small pllOL lamp IS
Ir1corporal,d WI hm [he alemen carner a facilitate
rep ac men 01 lhe lement dur ng darkness
17

CONTROLS, INSTRUMENTS AND INDICATORS
Fig 10
9 lIgn;s -ag '1
Gear Selector Lever (Fig 10)
-I-je gear 0 ,;, Ins are nd ca e on he Ie 'er nob Engage
re.ers onl hen lee Iele IS saIOnary
Au'oma'lc rans ISSlon seJeclor cie a Is are g n nsec Ion
-
'80rg- arner U oms'le Tra smlSSlor
For 00 Imu uel econom he recommended g ar change
speeds are
1s 2nd 15 111 P h
2nd/3rd - 25 mph
3rd/4th 40 m ,11
4th/5th - 45 III P h
Pedals
-he peda,s are arranged n he convem anal pOS Ions T e
ra e
pedal operates the brake hyd aulcsyslem to apply he
brakes on < II four wheels Warning lie hiS ai ih rear athe
vehlele
function auoilla IC Ily when the bra eedal IS
press d while hIgnition IS SWitch don 0 aVOid nedless
wear of th clutch wlthdr wal m .chanisill. do not rest lhe
rom on th ellJ eh pedal whd driVing
Re'er 0
5
I
.',,' 2073
J
:,:' I
".
8

Always remember to lock your car when leaving it.
The lock key number is stamped on the tag
attached to the larger key of your key-set,
and is not shown on the key or lock.
Please make a record of this
number as you will need i
to ob ain a replacemen . ~
/
BODY FITIINGS