Freelander 2 (LR2) New tyres on front or rear?

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parxuk

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76
Location
Bristol
I need 2 new front tyres for the FL2. The rears have approx 5mm left on them so are fine.

Trying to read some threads on here, but most info seemed to be around the FL1. However I am quite confused.

Does it make a difference which axle has the newest tyres? Should I just get the new tyres on the front, or ask the garage to put the new tyres on the rear and move the older ones to the front?

Thanks
 
Really you would have similar wear on front and back. All my tires seem to wear evenly then I change all 4 at the same time so that there is no issues with different rolling circumferences. Then put the best one into the spare (got rid of the silly steel space saving spare that is twice as heavy as the alloys)
 
NEW tyres go on the rear, move the rear to the front, y7ou can do this yourself or ask garage.
As Arctic2 said.
In theory, there's no special requirement for the FL2, but new tyres in general should always go on the rear, and ideally be the same tyres as those which will be moved to the front.
 
NEW tyres go on the rear, move the rear to the front, y7ou can do this yourself or ask garage.

Why? Doesn't that advice stems from the days of rear wheel drive cars.
The FL2 is, until the Haldex kicks in, front wheel drive. Surely that's where you want the best rubber? Or am I completely wrong about the Haldex unit?
 
Why? Doesn't that advice stems from the days of rear wheel drive cars.
The FL2 is, until the Haldex kicks in, front wheel drive. Surely that's where you want the best rubber? Or am I completely wrong about the Haldex unit?

That's correct, although the Haldex does contain clutch plates, which while not taking any real drive, are always in close contact, so the plates will rub against each other if rotational speed differences exist.
Also while the FL2 is a rear drive assisted FWD vehicle, the rear drive is activated surprisingly often. Basically whenever the vehicle accelerating, or pulling away from rest, or maneuvering, the Haldex module engages the rear, so it's important that tyres are as evenly worn as possible.


New tyres should always go on the back, as it's easier to control progressive understeer, than snap oversteer. ;)
 
Don't think it really matters with haldex, the electronics are supposed to detect when a wheel binds up, slips, stops, etc and adjust as necessary,

Do the FL2's have the limited slip diff option, instead of a proper LSD (diff lock)the electronics apply the brake on the slipping wheel cross axle which in turn sends power to the other side via the differential.

On the vw it was called EDL electronic diff lock.
 
That's correct, although the Haldex does contain clutch plates, which while not taking any real drive, are always in close contact, so the plates will rub against each other if rotational speed differences exist.
Also while the FL2 is a rear drive assisted FWD vehicle, the rear drive is activated surprisingly often. Basically whenever the vehicle accelerating, or pulling away from rest, or maneuvering, the Haldex module engages the rear, so it's important that tyres are as evenly worn as possible.

Thanks for the explanation. Also explains why the Haldex needs a filter to catch all the clutch plate bits in the oil.

New tyres should always go on the back, as it's easier to control progressive understeer, than snap oversteer.
;)

Aha! But that's when Electronic Stability Control kicks in.

BTW. My tyres have always worn remarkably even and been replaced 4 at a time, so the OP's question has never really concerned me.
 
Also explains why the Haldex needs a filter to catch all the clutch plate bits in the oil.
Indeed. The oil fills with black clutch fibers, which then clog the filters, which then causes the motor to overheat and fail.
Aha! But that's when Electronic Stability Control kicks in.
Although ESC can't change the laws of physics. ;)
My tyres have always worn remarkably even and been replaced 4 at a time, so the OP's question has never really concerned me.
The FL2 should wear the tyres more evenly, as long as the suspension is working correctly.
 
Thanks for the advice.

The car is reasonablly new to me, and when I got it the previous owner obviously hadnt bothered changing them in 4s as the front were already quite low with the rears being much newer.

Being a bit of a skin flint (especially this time of year) I would rather not replace all 4 tyres at once, so hopefully I can just get the new rubber put on thr back and put the other on the front. With that being said, the tyres are a brand called Sunny(?) which I dont think are exacyly very well regarded!

Thx
 
With that being said, the tyres are a brand called Sunny(?) which I dont think are exacyly very well regarded!

Sunny tyres are the worst of the cheap Chinese tyres available, along with linglong.

I'm happy to use Chinese tyres on my FL2, but I am picky on what brand I use.

I'm impressed with Jinyu / Roadx, (got those on my FL2 now) but Goodride also seem good for for the money.
 
Yes. The Sunny were already on there. They get terrible reviews, and I wouldn't touch then with a barge pole.

Can't wait to get rid of them.
 
I'd have to disagree here, had both linglong and sunny tyres on a v6 golf, and all I can say is they stuck to road like glue.

I had to emergency brake in the wet once, and was totally expecting to rear end the vehicle in front, but to my surprise ,I managed to stop, with the abs not even kicking in... I know they must be a soft compound as the only last 15 to 20k ..but for the price I could not fault them...XL (extra load) and rated for over 150mph...
 
Hi
The best tyres should go on rear or any of us think is a competition pilot?
Have you feel anytime suddenly losing control even in a straight line whith ABS, 4X4,, EDC, GRC, TC, ESP, RSC, ATPC, 4WD, TSA, HD, DSC and all of initials that you can say?
For a normal driver (like all of us) recovering abrupt oversteer is almost impossible in a car, in an off-road is impossible. The crash or visit bathroom is guaranteed. If you want, put yourself in risk but not other drivers or your family.
I think that many drivers feel higger capabilities than real. The 99% of the drivers in a real situation of oversteer they will react in the worst way: braking. Is a natural reflex act. Our physical integrity is in risk.
Technically understeer is always more progressive and more controllable.
The same treatment should have worn tires like very old ones even if they have a tread.
Please, do not sow doubts on issues that affect safery.
 
Last edited:
Hi
The best tyres should go on rear or any of us think is a competition pilot?
Have you feel anytime suddenly losing control even in a straight line whith ABS, 4X4,, EDC, GRC, TC, ESP, RSC, ATPC, 4WD, TSA, HD, DSC and all of initials that you can say?
For a normal driver (like all of us) recovering abrupt oversteer is almost impossible in a car, in an off-road is impossible. The crash or visit bathroom is guaranteed. If you want, put yourself in risk but not other drivers or your family.
I think that many drivers feel higger capabilities than real. The 99% of the drivers in a real situation of oversteer they will react in the worst way: braking. Is a natural reflex act. Our physical integrity is in risk.
Technically understeer is always more progressive and more controllable.
The same treatment should have worn tires like very old ones even if they have a tread.
Please, DO NOT SOW DOUBTS ON ISSUES THAT AFFECT SAFETY.

Who is sowing doubts? Questions were asked and answered politely. NO NEED TO SHOUT!
 
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