Currently I have the factory fitted GY Wranglers (rated 104V).

Looking at the bewildering array of tyres available when I come to change them, I am taken by the General Grabber AT tyres. Size is standard 235/65/R17. The GG ATs are available in this size but only in speed rating H (actually rated 108H).

Is fiting these GG ATs @108H a straight swap? ie Are they appropriate (ie within spec defined by LR for the FL2)?

Do I need to inform insurance co of change from V to H speed rated tyres if I go ahead with these?

(The door pillar data on tyres isn't crystal clear so if anyone can set me straight, I'd be much obliged!)

Oh, and, I deduce from scouring the web that the ATs are: good in moderate offroad, good grip in (eg) slippery conditions, and on road are quiet, giving a comfortable ride... any experiences out there to share?

Thanks... ...

Be true to yourself. That way happiness lies...

https://www.freel2.com/gallery/albums/user...essure.pdf (Thanks to Alex's gallery)

LR specify 'H' rating for 16" and 'V' rating for 17"/18" and 19" tyres.
'H' is good for 130mph and 'V' is good for 149mph yet you will never reach the lower speed anyway so why they specify a 'V' I do not know.

Internet tyre sites say there is nothing wrong in fitting a lower speed rated tyre as long as you can never exceed that speed.

If you do decide to go for 'H' rated then you will have to inform your insurer, as it is a 'get out' clause for moving away from LR's spec.

I have H rated tyres and told my insurance company. The charged me a small extra premium but I have peace of mind. Also, H rated tyres tend to be cheaper!  John
07 HSE Narvick Black
Land Rover Series One
Triumph Rocket 111 (sadly gone!)

I don't think you need o tell the Insurance company, the titty you will speak too on The phone won't have a clue what a speed rating is and just charge you for phoning up. As long you don't go below a H, you should be fine. I believe a freelander won't do more than 126mph!

You will prob find most cars on the road have the wrong speed rating, land rover were even selling defenders with a speed rating of 88mph on the tyres and the car would do 100mph!

And what of you bought a car with H instead of V's are you to know?! Same as the spoiler rubbish

Also they are a very good tyre, all round!

Last edited by landy19840 on 22nd Jan 2013 4:04 pm. Edited 1 time in total

Thanks all... ...

Be true to yourself. That way happiness lies...

Manufacturer's on the whole tend to play it safe with the speed rating. You'll be fine with a 'H' rating.

There was a story in the last couple of years of an insurance company who wouldn't pay out for a biker who was knocked off his bike, because he had a different (premium) brand of tyre on his bike to standard.

After alot of pressure from the press they backed down thankfully. Mine: 2012 Golf GTI Edition 35
Family's: 2009 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Auto, Stornoway

Yorkshire - God's County

Sorry to labour this topic but re-reading the tyre info on the driver's door pillar... it specifically reads:

235/65/R17 104H 108V

The factory fitted tyres are Goodyear 104V - ie neither of the above 104H or 108V... so are we to assume that ANY tyres in the range 104H to 108V are OK by LR and therefore legit?

ie any of these???

104H
108H
104V
108V ...

Be true to yourself. That way happiness lies...

AIUI the way the ratings work anything with a load index of 104 or higher AND a speed rating of H or higher should be OK.

I.e. I don't see why 108Y, say, wouldn't be OK. But overkill, as you'd then be rated for 186 mph.

So yes, I agree that all of the combinations you list would be OK. Caveat - I'm not an insurance company, and they don't always seem to work according to logic!

Thanks... I guess that the average driver would look at that and deduce the same but it seems the best thing is a call to the ins co anyway just so it's on the record. ...

Be true to yourself. That way happiness lies...

Generally speaking, the higher the speed rating, the better the tyre performs under extreme loads. That's why the recommended tyres have speed ratings far in excess of the speed that the FL can travel. For those that are taking the line that H rating is okay (as a FL can't reach the 130 mph tyre limit), please explain why many premium brand FL winter tyres are only S or T rated. (113 & 119mph).

Land Rover now specify H Rating for winter tyres - there's a full list of standard and optional fitting on TOPIX. The page is headed "Land Rover Tyre Matrix Historic Approvals".
Found it via http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic14175.html

Seems to suggest that H rated tyres are OK... good info. Thanks ...

Be true to yourself. That way happiness lies...

Steve D wrote:

please explain why many premium brand FL winter tyres are only S or T rated. (113 & 119mph).

On the PDF linked above for 19" tyres it says only 105V are appropriate, yet on the sticker on my 2011 FL2 it also includes 100V. Does anyone have any insight on the discrepancy? Which should I trust?

One of the tyres I'm looking at getting is 101V so want to make sure I'm staying within recommendations.

Thanks! FL2 2011 SD4 XS in Galway Green