what size alloys have you got???

Im now the owner of a freelander (or gaylander) as ive heard so many of you call them!

I have 15inch alloys on them when today i decided to take it out in the snow to feed the horse. I was a bit disappointed to feel the car slide around quite a bit when turning and also when braking. I know you will say ive braked too sharp etc but i really dont think so, im an advanced driver and have done a 4x4 course through work so im no doris on the road lol.

My Mitzy shogun seemed far better in the snow, i was hoping th FL would be the same but seems not.

Would wider alloys make a difference? I did notice the tread was just about legal on the nearside front tyre but would two new fron tyres really make that much difference???????

In anticipation....Emma xx

your used brakes on ice............................................ epic fail



sorry that was un called for......... for ice driving narrow wheels n tyres are the thing to have look at rally cars when they go to finland narrow tall tyres

I don't think the wheel size is your issue. I reckon it's more to do with your tyres. Maybe consider a tyre with a more aggressive tread pattern on them.

Hi Emma,
narrower tyres are better in the snow than wide ones. Tread is everything for snow so yes you barely legal tyre will deminish your performance in the snow. If you fit a pair of new tyres them on the rear and the best of the others on the front, this is because to do otherwise will put a strain on your transmission.
Cheers Bill

curzons246 said:

Hi Emma,
narrower tyres are better in the snow than wide ones. Tread is everything for snow so yes you barely legal tyre will deminish your performance in the snow. If you fit a pair of new tyres them on the rear and the best of the others on the front, this is because to do otherwise will put a strain on your transmission.
Cheers Bill

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its a freelander.......the VCU will have a fit if you only fit 2 tyres! (its most likely seized anyway!)

and barely legal tyres is that ones that are about 17 years old lol

curzons246 said:

Hi Emma,
narrower tyres are better in the snow than wide ones. Tread is everything for snow so yes you barely legal tyre will deminish your performance in the snow. If you fit a pair of new tyres them on the rear and the best of the others on the front, this is because to do otherwise will put a strain on your transmission.
Cheers Bill

Click to expand...

Thanks Bill, is that the best thing to do then? The current ones are 15 inch sized, to be honest the look a bit shat and more like bicycle wheels, would a larger sized tyre fit, im only talking about going up to a 205 (195 currently on). And forgive me for being A, blonde and B a woman but whats a VCU???????

I have sport wheels 235 80 18 tyres. It was all over the place!

hi emalou2 as said before the best wheel size option in the snow is the 15 inch wheels,but you need a good set of mud and snow tyres on them,also make sure your transmission is working as it should. tim..

emalou2 said:

Thanks Bill, is that the best thing to do then? The current ones are 15 inch sized, to be honest the look a bit shat and more like bicycle wheels, would a larger sized tyre fit, im only talking about going up to a 205 (195 currently on). And forgive me for being A, blonde and B a woman but whats a VCU???????

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viscous coupling unit....what sends power to your rear wheels when the fronts start to spin... or like most freelanders the bit that seizes up and causes the knocking while turning during reversing.....

as i said before if you want better traction in the snow fit tall narrow tyres not wider ones deep tread on all terrain tyres would be your best bet if you don't want to spend out on getting a set of dedicated winter tyres

Oh jeeezzz now im paranoid about the vcu... is it easy to test? and should i take it into a dealer to get it checked out????????

emalou2 said:

Oh jeeezzz now im paranoid about the vcu... is it easy to test? and should i take it into a dealer to get it checked out????????

Click to expand...

At the top of the Freelander forum is the VCU Torque Test Results. Read through it for info. Don't need to go to a garage. Test it like this video:

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh01nQgh7z8"]YouTube - Freelander 1 2001 v6 Viscous Coupling Unit VCU Torque Test[/nomedia]

Hi Em, most of us here go for a good A/T (All Terrain) tyre. Mine are Pirelli Scorpions, Michelin Latitude are also recommended by some owners. That said, doing a Search about tyres on the forum will bring up plenty of info on the well worn subject

The action of front wheels spinning slightly faster than rear if slipping is what makes the VCU send more power to the rear wheels to regain motion. Placing new tyres on the front imitates this action and 'winds up' the transmission. ALWAYS put new tyres on the back if only replacing 2, however its ideal to replace all 4 at same time

Check the make of your spare wheel (they are usually the original) and try to match that which was fitted by LR at the factory if you dont want the hassle of deciding for yourself.

Thanks, i got some Herald tyres fitted on it the other day which has improved the grip considerably. Heavy snow here and i have polughed my way to it to the stables.

Really glad i bought the car, its heavy on petrol though but i guess you cant have it all ways!

Bought some mats for it off Preloved, set of genuine rubber and fabric for £25 - What a bargain!!!

I have 235/50/18 on my Freelander Sport with Hankook RA23's - not exactly knobblies but good enough if you aren't braking/steering hard! There's plenty info on this forum regarding tires and driving technique. Not an alloys issue really! Use engine braking rather than the brakes when possible, don't go mad and you're generally good. The hill descent system is pretty groovy too; only works in 1st and reverse though.

Missses Lander has 235/50/18 and there is plenty of grip in the snow.


Regards