Hi All,

I have had a FL2 now for about 16 months and really am enjoying it....but

I don't really know if this is just a "feature" of 4 x 4's or is my one special?

We have had a lot of rain recently and there are quite often a lot of puddles by the kerbside. Whenever I go through a puddle I seem to get a hell of a lot of water thrown up over the windscreen to the extent that I actually can't see where I am going. Its not massively deep puddles I am talking about and know that if I went through them in a normal car at the same speed I would not get any up and over the windscreen.

Does anybody else get this? Do you think fitting mudguards might help?

It can be very dangerous when you have a car coming from the opposite direction or a car following close behind because now I find that I am slowing down quite a lot when I see a puddle coming up

Your thoughts please ladies and gents

Kind regrads

Andrew

Isn't this fairly common on most cars?

It's water coming up through the engine bay and through the windscreen vents isn't it?

I would say that mine is without doubt the worst car I have ever had for this, to the point of it being dangerous at times.It is nowhere near as bad in my Mini or any other car that I have owned.

I think its the only car I have had in 25+ years of driving that has done this

I am just suprised that nobody has mentioned it before!

Anybody had other types of 4x4 that do this?

Andrew

Defenders do this too as does my ford ranger. Also the fact that the outer sides of LR bonnets are higher than the center means water can build up on the bonnet then be blown back at the windscreen by gusts of wind..more on defenders than freelanders, but I do notice this slightly on the fl2.

I have mudflaps and side tubes on my fl2 and dont notice your problem to much At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

It doesn't come from the front of the bonnet but is thrown up from the near side wheel arch.

If you could imagine a bucket of water being thrown at the windscreen from somebody standing at the front wheel thats what its like.

There is total lack of vision while you wait for the wipers to clear the screen.

Anybody else got mud flaps fitted?

that might be the way to go as CG has them and he doesn't sufffer so much.

........I've got mud flaps fitted - and don't notice this as a problem.

i use to drive suzuki sj 413,had 3 or them many moons ago,and they were realy bad for this.hit a big puddle one day going about 35 mph and had a near miss with a oncoming lorry.the only answer is to slow down if you can see big puddles ahead. my freelander 2 is no different and happens the same.i think most 4x4 this is common due to the ground clearence and wheels pushed ouy to the corners of the vehicle ect ect and water can move a lot more underneath.

Could it be anything to do with there being a larger space between tyre and wheel arch than on traditional cars?
I also notice the problem and do have sidesteps fitted which judging by others comments doesn't seem to make any difference!

I have not seen this as a problem, but it is perhaps because I run round the puddles, or reduce speed before I go through them. LR Freelander2 2,2 Td4 HSE manuel Stornaway Grey (Metallic) & Ebony Black Leather & Sun/Moon-roof & Bi-Xenon & Roof Rails & Tow bar & Body side rubbing strips & Cold climate pack & Privacy glass & NavTeq . Production Date: 11/5-2007 in Halewood.

Sorry, but I have changed to Defender 90 ", and I love my" tractor ".
http://www.youtube.com/bjartin

You could always put your windscreen wipers on before hitting the puddle. Should help clear it quicker.

Just an idea

Rich

or have them on Auto

The RRS has small spoilers under the front bumper just in front of the wheels, maybe these stop the spray on them  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Is this caused by the fact that the body of the vehicle is a lot higher than say a Mini, there fore when you hit a deep puddle a certain amount of water goes forward as well as to the sides, because you have the body a lot higher than say a Mini you then drive into the water you have splashed where as on a small car i.e. a mini the water thrown forward hits the bottom of the wing, front valence etc. Just a thought. p****d off with a Digital Keyboard Warrior

Slowing down will obviously help, and I have lived with it since I bought the car. It was just that the other night I was being following by what was I think an Audi A4 & he was quite close (hmm), it seems as though we were going through these puddles one after the other and Mr Audi was obviously in rather a hurry and didn't seem to want me braking every couple of minutes judging by the way he was sticking himself to the bootlid. Probably thought....he's got a 4x4....he can take a bit of water!

Just thought it was worth bringing up to see if the other forum members have the same issue.

bjartin wrote:

I have not seen this as a problem, but it is perhaps because I run round the puddles, or reduce speed before I go through them.