If you might have tyres with a Load Index of 97 on a 2006 Model Year Freelander (that may include some 2005 registrations too?) then read on, because for the TD4 at least, Land Rover have told me that the specification for Load Index is 101.
If you go onto most tyre suppliers' websites, go to tyre manufacturers' websites, or go to a tyre fitting company with a Freelander then you will probably be offered tyres with a Load Index of 97 (e.g. Pirelli Scorpion 225/55 R17 97H), which is what most tyre manufacturers provide in that size, and what will be returned in a database search. They don't specifically list 2006 model year ones as different.
However, having had some discussion with Land Rover about this, they have confirmed that for the 2006 Model Year Freelander 1 the Gross Vehicle Weight was increased "as a programme change" and the tyre load index is correspondingly higher. In fact my GVW is 2505kg, 425kg [i.e. nearly 1/2 a tonne!] more than the earlier Freelander 1; and the max rear axle load 1460kg, is 340kg more than the earlier Freelander 1. Frustratingly the handbook tells you to replace tyres with the same speed rating and load index as originally fitted but does not actually specify speed rating and load index. And of course, if the vehicle is secondhand there is no way of knowing that the tyres on there are the originals - someone may have fitted 97s on the recommendation of a tyre fitter or tyre manufacturer. In fact a 97 Load Index is just on the limit with a max load of 730kg per tyre (x2 = max rear axle load 1460kg), so that may convince people inadvertently to go with 97s.
Land Rover are adamant that the tyre load rating for this vehicle is 101, not 97.
Mine is a TD4 but the 2.5 petrol is also in the handbook as 2505 kg GVW - the 1.8 petrol doesn't seem to have been changed. If in doubt, look at the label on the nearside B pillar.
So be warned. I pursued this because I did not wish to risk fitting tyres which could potentially invalidate my insurance, i.e. tyres which are rated below manufacturer's specification; neither did I wish to invest £500 or so in a set of 97 rated tyres which then had to be replaced by 101 rated ones.
Parts of the 2006 MY handbook TOPIx - TOPIx seems to be a confusing muddle - in the Tech Spec it lists vehicles with a GVW of 2505kg as "EU4" (Euro emissions compliance) but LR have also confirmed to me that my vehicle (TD4 2.0 with 2505kg GVW) is actually EU3 not EU4!
The local Land Rover main dealer did not know whether the Load Index should be 97 or 101. I have urged LR to do a bulletin to tyre manufacturers and dealers because it is crazy that people may be inadvertently putting tyres below specification onto 2006 MY vehicles (but not surprising, given that LR do not actually make it obvious what the Speed Rating and Load Index should be!).
They should, of course, have put the full tyre spec on a label on each vehicle and in the handbook but that was obviously too simple.
I cannot say whether 97 rated tyres are correct for any other version, either, all I can do is relate is what Land Rover have told me as far as my vehicle is concerned. If in doubt, then check with Land Rover....it took me 2 weeks to get the initial answer out of them.
If you go onto most tyre suppliers' websites, go to tyre manufacturers' websites, or go to a tyre fitting company with a Freelander then you will probably be offered tyres with a Load Index of 97 (e.g. Pirelli Scorpion 225/55 R17 97H), which is what most tyre manufacturers provide in that size, and what will be returned in a database search. They don't specifically list 2006 model year ones as different.
However, having had some discussion with Land Rover about this, they have confirmed that for the 2006 Model Year Freelander 1 the Gross Vehicle Weight was increased "as a programme change" and the tyre load index is correspondingly higher. In fact my GVW is 2505kg, 425kg [i.e. nearly 1/2 a tonne!] more than the earlier Freelander 1; and the max rear axle load 1460kg, is 340kg more than the earlier Freelander 1. Frustratingly the handbook tells you to replace tyres with the same speed rating and load index as originally fitted but does not actually specify speed rating and load index. And of course, if the vehicle is secondhand there is no way of knowing that the tyres on there are the originals - someone may have fitted 97s on the recommendation of a tyre fitter or tyre manufacturer. In fact a 97 Load Index is just on the limit with a max load of 730kg per tyre (x2 = max rear axle load 1460kg), so that may convince people inadvertently to go with 97s.
Land Rover are adamant that the tyre load rating for this vehicle is 101, not 97.
Mine is a TD4 but the 2.5 petrol is also in the handbook as 2505 kg GVW - the 1.8 petrol doesn't seem to have been changed. If in doubt, look at the label on the nearside B pillar.
So be warned. I pursued this because I did not wish to risk fitting tyres which could potentially invalidate my insurance, i.e. tyres which are rated below manufacturer's specification; neither did I wish to invest £500 or so in a set of 97 rated tyres which then had to be replaced by 101 rated ones.
Parts of the 2006 MY handbook TOPIx - TOPIx seems to be a confusing muddle - in the Tech Spec it lists vehicles with a GVW of 2505kg as "EU4" (Euro emissions compliance) but LR have also confirmed to me that my vehicle (TD4 2.0 with 2505kg GVW) is actually EU3 not EU4!
The local Land Rover main dealer did not know whether the Load Index should be 97 or 101. I have urged LR to do a bulletin to tyre manufacturers and dealers because it is crazy that people may be inadvertently putting tyres below specification onto 2006 MY vehicles (but not surprising, given that LR do not actually make it obvious what the Speed Rating and Load Index should be!).
They should, of course, have put the full tyre spec on a label on each vehicle and in the handbook but that was obviously too simple.
I cannot say whether 97 rated tyres are correct for any other version, either, all I can do is relate is what Land Rover have told me as far as my vehicle is concerned. If in doubt, then check with Land Rover....it took me 2 weeks to get the initial answer out of them.
Thats if I is correct in me workings...
