Hi all

I have a question regarding 2WD/4WD

If the FL2 is raised off the floor (like in the garage) and I got in it and selected 1st and released the clutch slowly;

Would only the front wheels spin or would all 4???

I ask as I'm sure I read somewhere that the FL2 drives in 2WD predominantly and when required uses 4WD depending on conditions/terrain etc etc

Is this right?

Its a thought I have when thinking about the operation and function of the haldex unit and being able to test its function.

My understanding is that it's 4 wheel drive initially and becomes predominantly 2 wheel drive at around 40kph (thanks to the haldex)

The FL2 has an Haldex unit which is electronically controlled to provide 'Active On Demand' drive to the rear wheels.

There are 2 types Gen 3 and Gen 4 (pre and post MY2009), both are precharged to engage from standstill to about 19mph.

Try this link for further info

https://www.freel2.com/forum/topic35317.html?highlight=active FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 77k+ miles) (MY2015)
Metro in its 11th Year of (Extended) LR Warranty / Full LR Service History
(Expensive, but Trouble/Worry free - hopefully?)

Last edited by IanMetro on 29th Jul 2021 10:09 pm. Edited 1 time in total

Landy64 wrote:

Hi all

I have a question regarding 2WD/4WD

If the FL2 is raised off the floor (like in the garage) and I got in it and selected 1st and released the clutch slowly;

Would only the front wheels spin or would all 4???

I ask as I'm sure I read somewhere that the FL2 drives in 2WD predominantly and when required uses 4WD depending on conditions/terrain etc etc

Is this right?

Its a thought I have when thinking about the operation and function of the haldex unit and being able to test its function.

If you think about, if the front wheels turned without any drive going to the rear then that would be detected as loss of grip at the front wheels and the haldex would be engaged to drive the rear wheels.
However, with the FL2 the haldex is pre-engaged to obtain 4WD from standstill - I dont think this is true of all vehicles with a haldex .
Great for pulling away on wet roads Jules

Try this link for full operating description from FL2 Workshop Manual

https://www.freel2.com/gallery/albums/user...Manual.pdf FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 77k+ miles) (MY2015)
Metro in its 11th Year of (Extended) LR Warranty / Full LR Service History
(Expensive, but Trouble/Worry free - hopefully?)

Thanks Rambling, Ian, Bob and Jules for your comments so far and the links I will read into.

It also got me thinking that in my days of FL1 ownership, once during a service/repair I was loaned a courtesy FL1 and the boss informed me that it only had 2WD as the rear axle had been disconnected. Wow the difference in driving was horrible compared to mine albeit quicker of the mark from standstill. I then sort of wondered why the FL2 has a haldex and what the advantages are of it or how would one know if it was faulty if it was never a service item according to Landrover etc. Interesting

If its faulty and not working you'll get warning messages saying special progress (terrain response) unavailable. It will also spin front wheels pulling away from a wet junction which it never does in 4wd. Landrover - turning owners into mechanics since 1948

2014 Orkney grey Freelander SD4 GS.
2004 Zambezi silver Discovery 2 Td5 (Gone)
1963 Surf blue Morris Mini Minor Super de Luxe (my little toy)

Land Rover are the only car manufacturer who says it isn’t a service item. All the other users (eg. Volvo, Audi) of our Haldex units recommend fluid changes. While awkward to do, that isn’t a reason not to at least change the fluid. As for why it has a Haldex, the unit overcomes the problems caused by the system used on the fl1 which probably caused the fl1 loaner you drove to have the back axle disconnected. If the Haldex is working properly you don’t get the windup problems caused by differing tyre diameters front to back or side to side but you have all the advantages of 4wd when it’s needed.

Last edited by BossBob on 30th Jul 2021 8:22 am. Edited 1 time in total

Landy64 wrote:

Thanks Rambling, Ian, Bob and Jules for your comments so far and the links I will read into.

It also got me thinking that in my days of FL1 ownership, once during a service/repair I was loaned a courtesy FL1 and the boss informed me that it only had 2WD as the rear axle had been disconnected. Wow the difference in driving was horrible compared to mine albeit quicker of the mark from standstill. I then sort of wondered why the FL2 has a haldex and what the advantages are of it or how would one know if it was faulty if it was never a service item according to Landrover etc. Interesting