kerbstone

Member
Evening....First post here as I'm trying to know what my tyre replacement options are well in advance (usage will be mainly on road).

It's a low mileage 2006 Freestyle Station Wagon with original (Jan/Feb 06 tyre manufacture codes) Mich Synchrones 4mm remaining at front, 5mm remaining at rear, spare 9mm unused.

Thanks to reading the manual and then this forum, I know about always putting the least worn tyres on the rear to avoid VCU wind-up, and that Michelin Synchrones (now obsolete) shouldn't be mixed with Latitudes.

Understand (as does wife) that in the event of a flat on the front, the 9mm spare will have to go on the rear, and a rear transferred to the front.

Q1: Presumably in that case having one tyre with 9mm tread and another with 5mm tread on the same axle will be tolerated ok??!

The Synchrones are load-rated 101, which is 825kg per wheel. Yet the max rear axle load is 1460kg, i.e. 730kg per wheel which is exactly a 97 Load Rating. I won't be wanting to replace all the tyres in one go, so I'll probably get pairs as axle sets when needed, so it won't be Latitudes. The manual says to replace with same Load and Speed Rating as on original tyre - this seems crazy when a 97 is ok for max axle load, and the (limited) choice of tyres is mostly rated 97. I was thinking about Pirelli Scorpion STRs (97H!) because they seem very like the Synchrones, especially for the usage which is mainly on roads.

Q2: Anyone know what the original Land Rover Load Rating actually was, because it's not in the manual? (Don't want to invalidate insurance by putting on tyres which are 97 if the manufacturer spec really is 101).

Any thoughts gratefully received.
 
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Some people recommend ensuring that all 4 tyres have the same amount of tread and are of the same brand & type. Others recommend a minimum of keeping the axles equal.

If you plan on going green laning or off roading at any time, it will probably be cheaper to upgrade your wheels to 15" or 16" and get some all terrains. (General Grabber AT) I killed 3 normal road tyres simply because they were not up to the job of mild green laning. (side walls are typically way too thin and get punctured easily)
 
You will be fine putting a 97 load rated Pirellie tyre on. if your mainly looking to use them on road try Bridgestone dueller HP Sport, I have them on my motor and they run a lot smoother and quieter than the last set which were Pirellie Scorpiens.
 
Having a set of five Hankook RH06 in 225/55R17 fitted to my wife's TD4 this week, did as much research as I could and they seem to be well thought of.
I was going to get a set of Michelin's fitted again but Costco decided they can't supply them while they have the 20% offer on and everyone else is charging £170+ so I ended up using Black Circles via Tesco. Did consider Camskill but apart from the fact they can't supply the Hankook's at the moment I can't be bothered with lugging five tyres to a tyre-fitter and them having to pay more for fitting/balancing & disposal (I think I would struggle to get five tyres in her vehicle).

The brand-new Sinchrone spare (I say brand new, never used and kept under a wheel-cover) will be offered for sale when the new tyres go on.
 
The brand-new Sinchrone spare (I say brand new, never used and kept under a wheel-cover) will be offered for sale when the new tyres go on.

Thanks for the replies. Litch, I would be interested in that Synchrone, let me know when you're ready to sell it.
 
With any luck it will be available from Wednesday afternoon.

OK. Feel free to PM me when you're ready.

I've been considering the Hankooks too, they seemed pretty good (and reasonable value) as primarily road tyres. Also the General Grabber UHPs.
 
OK. Feel free to PM me when you're ready.

I've been considering the Hankooks too, they seemed pretty good (and reasonable value) as primarily road tyres. Also the General Grabber UHPs.

Black Circles are quoting the Hankook as a premium tyre so I have high hopes of them, they are currently on offer at £123 so we shall see how they compare to the old Michelin's. Off road ability is not an issue (we've got my 90 for that) so I just hope they suit the vehicle ok.
 
I've got the same tyres on mine that it came with. They are Maxxis 751's. I think theyre are 195/85/r15? Cant say for sure as the good lady wife got the keys before me this morning!! They seem OK and should be good offroad and in the snow. Not too noisy on road either.
 
I've got the same tyres on mine that it came with. They are Maxxis 751's. I think theyre are 195/85/r15? Cant say for sure as the good lady wife got the keys before me this morning!! They seem OK and should be good offroad and in the snow. Not too noisy on road either.

Thanks Andy. Looked it up, the 751s (which are ATs) aren't done in 225/55R17. But I don't need ATs, so that's ok. Thanks for the thought.
 
The five Hankook RH06 are now on (225/55R17) and I have to say that ride wise they are a massive improvement on the Michelin Synchrone's.
The original Michelin's always struck me as a very firm tyre and the ride was quite harsh whereas the Hankook's are much nicer while running at the same pressure. Have driven the Hankook's in dry & rain and they behave faultlessly but of course only time will tell what they are like in the snow and what the wear rates are, that said I did plenty of research and they have good things written about them. Good value to, only £123 each fitted.
 
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