Hi

I have a 2011 Freelander SD4 arriving in January and was wondering if anyone had any views on the performance of the standard tyres (not sure of make but size 235/65 R17) in wintery conditions, particularly snow. My everyday driving will be on-road in SW London / Surrey however there will be times when I will be on untreated country roads up north.

Any experiences or comments much appreciated.

If they are the 17" Wranglers, ours were excellent in last year's snow. Only on sheet ice did they feel like they were slightly slipping. However, proper Winter tyres would probably be a bit better.

The Goodyear Wranglers are great in snow and mud, they haven't let me down once and seen a fair bit of action off road.

You'll be fine in the winter, what i would recommend doing, when it does snow heavy find a field or desserted large car parkand play, see how fast you can accelerate / stop / turn etc

17" wheels tend to have wranglers or pirelli's on and these normally have a M+S rating, meaning they are better in mud & snow,

my 17's were find, as were my 19's in last years snow, the car is quite OK in the snow, but remember the laws of physics, 4x4's car still skid and crash like any other car  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Yes, tell that to the disco driver who thought he was invincible and promptly smacked into the kerb when turning a corner too fast.

M+S markings usually on the standard tyres, wranglers worked well for me, was very eerie alone on the roads. Phil

My 17's came with continentals and they were fine in the snow last winter and I've had no problems in mud either.

Thanks for all the comments. Sounds like the standard tyres will be sufficient for what I need. Good tip on having a play in a snowy car park - I'll give that a go to get familar with the feel of it in the snow.

Just done 42K miles in just over 3 years. Mine came with Continentals (M+S) as original fit. I still have the original tyres on the rear (3mm left) fronts lasted for 33k. They have been off road with no problems and were excellent in last winter's snow and ice round central Scotland.




Grumpy Grumpy

Yep, my standard Contis were also fine in the snow and off-road, as well as on-road. I replaced with same at 40,000+ mls.  Life is not a dress rehearsal!

Grumpy and nick jan: you two must have differnet Continentals to me as i thought they were in the snow. I also think that the wear rate is i have brought some proper winter tyres for the snow this year and wont be buying Continentals tyres again. But that just my opinion.

Looking forward to seeing how the yokohama ATS fair in the snow / ice, compared to the General Grabber At's I had on my old FL2 last winter. The square blocky tread looks like it might be well suited to snow?

I'll tell you after tomorrow, the local forcast is saying snow tonight and tomorrow in East Cornwall and West Devon, I,m going to yeovil AM and back to Kernow PM, so might make a detour over Dartmoor for fun!

Have shovel and rope - to help others!!  1998 Feelander XDI Hardback - Gone
2002 Freelander TD4 GS Hardback - Gone
2004 Freelander TD4 HSE Stationwaggon - Gone
2007 Freelander 2 TD4 XS manual - Gone
2010 Freelander 2 TD4 GS Auto - Gone
2013 SD4 GS arrived April 2013

I’ve just put these on for the winter...Continental MS Winter.
£130 for four from tatbuy with 5mm of tread.

Just to re-iterate what NPinks said...4 wheel drive just means you can set off and accelerate quicker under more control...but you won't stop or turn any better than other car equipped with the same rubber! Mine: 2012 Golf GTI Edition 35
Family's: 2009 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Auto, Stornoway

Yorkshire - God's County

I did the LR Experience at Dunkeld in January this year, 12-18 inch of snow and hard packed snow/ice. All Freelanders were fitted with standard tyres. Want to know how well they coped, look at my gallery!!!!

In both of my FL's 08 and 10 my I have covered many forrest stages in all conditions using the original tyres.
never thought of changing them. All FL2's (3) Gone
2011 Mercedes C180 CGI Gone
FL2 GS Auto SD with heated leather, factory tints, alloy spare and a few other bits.

Another vote for Wranglers in the snow, didn't miss a days work in the last heavy snow, (sadly), and found myself driving many miles on empty roads .....felt very secure in it

Not feeling over confident with the General's that are on the front now, we'll see in a while I guess.