2 Wheel drive

[mudinuri]

Following a heated discussion in the pub last night, one of my friends suggested that a 2 Wheel drive Freelander TD4 Auto would give a much better MPG than a 4 Wheel drive version. Is this correct?
Logic tells me that it must be correct, but is it worth doing and if so what do I have to do. I have never ever needed 4 wheel drive in all the years I have owned the vehicle, and I bought it for the looks, driving position more than for it"s off road capabilities.
Is it OK to do, or is it a totally stupid thing to do?
If I do it now, will I be able to revert back to 4 wheel drive in the winter?
Cheers

 

[goonarmy]

search on here for mondo mode

 

[Singvogel]

Hi mudinuri,

If you think that 4X4 is only for off-road you need to think again.

BMW X5s are not for off-road although some folks think so.

How about an Audi Quattro.

Any small saving in mpg will be at the expense of road holding in the wet, especially starting off from traffic lights in the wet where there is often a layer of oil and rubber on the road, and safety on roundabout exits.

I've driven a 4X2 Freelander and for me it's a no-no. Too much wheel-spin.

I need 4X4 every day. I can't afford to sacrifice safety.

Singvogel.

 

[Kizzeh]

mine is currently in 2wd and i am going to put it back in 4wd pretty sharpish. Fuel saving or not its not saving my tyres....

 

[TRXnMe]

Sort of been donne to death on here, and quite recently, someone even posted fuel figures before and after removing the rear propshaft (that or I've had one hell of a wierd dream), they improvement wasn't great but it was there.

 

[mudinuri]

Thanks for your answers, but surely Defenders/Discos/Range Rovers are all switch able to 4 wheel drive and I would have thought drive for 90% of road time in 2 wheel drive!

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

No - they are permanent 4wd and selectable locked centre diff. Do not mistake 4wd with 4 wheel traction. Drive always goes to the point of least resistance. I suggest you look up how these drive systems actually work.

 

[mudinuri]

I didn"t know that, thanks for putting me right.
Cheers

 

[teddywood1]

4x4 is far better especially when leaving other drivers behind when going round corners and putting your foot down they try to follow and end up going of road eeer! is that not where we are supposed to be but not in the hedge

 

[Kizzeh]

i am not sure that mine has a selectable locked diff :S

 

[upstream]

I'm the one that commented about switching to 2WD in another thread recently. I think the saving was about 10% and to have the prop shaft removed costed me £20. Personally I feel that the Freebie drives much better in this mode but - I am quite a sedentary driver, definately not one for going fast around bends or taking off quickly at the lights.

In my case it makes sense to leave the propshaft off until the Winter.

The other thread can be viewed here;
http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f9/4wd-2wd-conversion-177216.html

 

[crockett007]

By all accounts, the vcu allows the system to run mostly in 2 wheel drive anyway, or at least have front wheel bias when the system is working correctly, or am I wrong?

 

[Singvogel]

By all accounts, the vcu allows the system to run mostly in 2 wheel drive anyway, or at least have front wheel bias when the system is working correctly, or am I wrong?

Hi crockett,

I would agree with you there.

There's a good description here:
Freelander - The benefits of 4WD - Land Rover

Cheers,

Singvogel.

 

[Richard Martin]

i am not sure that mine has a selectable locked diff :S

What car have you got? Discos and Defenders etc have a centre diff that can be locked. Freelanders don't.

 

[crockett007]

Hi crockett,

I would agree with you there.

There's a good description here:
Freelander - The benefits of 4WD - Land Rover

Cheers,

Singvogel.

Hi Singvogel,

Thats what I was under the impression about the vcu, and through reading all the various posts on these issues, ( IRD, VCU, final drive etc.) the vcu seems to be the key, along with the longevity of the viscous fluid inside it. I'm also under the impression that if you treat the vcu like a cambelt change, and look at maybe replacing it after around 80,000 miles as a matter of course, although the cost may bite a bit, it's nowhere near as expensive as the IRD. And with some reputable establishments selling refurbs for a reasonable price, it's peace of mind too

 

[Freelaner]

It does depend on use, some last a lot longer some expire well before.

 

[A.J.M]

You remove one of the propshafts to turn it into a 2wd freeby.
Yes, you may get a few more mpg but personally i wont be turning mine into mondo mode.
I prefer the grip i get from having power going to all corners.