Tomshop

I drove my GLS63 in snow the other day. On unplowed streets it was almost undrivable. The truck slid every time I braked especially on hills. Have others experienced this issue? I realize I should have winter tires but I have never experienced this poor winter performance in a 4WD.

baobay

its all in the tires my friend!

knpnj

thinking about these once the GLS 450 is delivered -

https://www.nokiantires.com/winter-t...liitta-r2-suv/
any opinion?

seems tough to find winter tires for the GLS450 spec'd at 19"

Tomshop

Are the 550/450 all season tires better in snow?

knpnj

From personal experience, I will def say there is no comparison between an "all season" and dedicated winter tires. We have Michelin X-Ice2 on our current SUV and we had Michelin all-season before that.

I'll never drive all-season in Winter again.

We asked the dealer if they can provide winter tires on the car before delivery, but they refused.
So now we have to shop for dedicated winter tires and swap out the factory installed all-season once the car arrives.

dieseldoc

Tire rack has winter tire wheel packages that can be shipped to you or local installer. Would consider this option.

knpnj

Y, thanks, been checking that and many other sites.

Tirerack has zero winter options for a GLS 450 at 19" - checked either by model selection (2016 GL and 2017 GLS), size and wheel diameter. They give no choice for 275/55R19 in winter. All 19" options are Summer/Touring/All season.
When you search under Winter/Snow tires at Tirerack (275/55R19) you get "WE'RE SORRY. There are no tires in the size you selected."
They do have a few winter/snow choices in 20", but not in 19".

If we had to buy a separate set of 20" rims, I'd rather put summer tires on the 20"s and winter tires on the 19"s.

Tomshop

How do GLS450/550 perform in snow with stock tires?

jerhu

I live in Toronto. And since we always change cars every few months I don't bother getting snow tires for the GLS. But it's been fine. I haven't had any issues. I will say that winter tires are a lot better but I haven't had any concerns with the 21" on our GLS/GL with the all season tires thus far. Just don't be an idiot on the roads is all.

Tomshop

Which model GLS do you have? Wondering if 63 tires really aren't meant for any snow.

jerhu

450

relmerator

The GLS63 always comes with summer performance tires. They're definitely not meant for snow. I'm expecting delivery of my 2017 in a couple weeks and will be putting these on immediately:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....G&autoModClar=

JoeMa

I've owned two GL550's and now own a GLS550 and I've never had a problem driving in snow. I considered a GLS63 this time around but my dealer cautioned I would need to buy a separate set of winter wheels and tires because the tires that come with the 63 are not designed for snow or ice.

But I just love the look of the 63 and still long for one. May I ask, is there an on-screen adjustment for the bottom seat bolsters in the 63? In other words, can the thigh bolsters be adjusted (relaxed or flattened) like you can adjust the back seat bolsters?

zeiman

we have gls550 and all season tires have been excellent along with the slippery drive select option

Tomshop

I have never seen that setting but it may be there.

cmginc

I purchased a 2016 GL63 about two months ago and had the dealer put Conti DWS06 all season tires on prior to delivery. Stock tires on all 63's are summer high-performance tires only. No issues in snow with the DWS06.

PeterUbers

you are a danger to others on the road until you stop driving summer tires in snow

Tomshop

Peter to be clear I am not using summer tires. I am using the stock tires that Mercedes provided.

bonboon

those are summer tires.

get a dedicated set of winters for winter and your ride will be unstoppable. put them on mid Nov, take them off mid March. your benz dealer will take your tires on/off for you at a price of between say 90 and 200 dollars each time you put them on/take them off.

store the tires with the dealer or buy a tire rack from tire rack.com to store them yourself.

i have these on my 550 and sure, the all seasons are serviceable in snow and ice, but night and day difference in confidence in braking having winters on.

the cost as far as the tires go is marginal. you put less miles on your summers because you aren't using them in the winter, you put less miles on the winters cause you don't use them in the other seasons. the added cost is taking them on/off and the cost of a tire rack.

picture of tires and tire rack below:

jerhu

What he's saying is the stock tires that mercedes provided are summer tires. Hence why you're having so much more trouble.

PeterUbers

i mean you no disrespect

read up on those stock tires or ask Mercedes what their recommendations are for snow driving, all info is in the manual which I recommend you read for inclement weather driving

here it is from 2016 glsSUV manual free online:

knpnj

per this previous GLS thread on snow tires here, I intend to go with Nokian
Hakkapeliitta rather than Pirelli on our GLS 450.

https://mbworld.org/forums/gls-class...ml#post6693200

The Nokian seem to be available through a local Mavis/STS shop in our neighborhood. Will post here once we go through the purchase and install.

Tomshop

Thanks Everyone

Boston

Relmerator- Enjoy your new GLS 63! If you decide to replace the rims with larger/aftermarket/etc. and want to sell your stock rim/tires as takeoffs, please pm me to discuss. Looking for a set of 63 rims for my '13 450. PS-Scrutinize the seats on your new 63- I just took delivery of a new GLE 350W4 loaded for wife & the seats are awful (loose-see thread for addtl info). Hopefully that issue is relegated to '17 GLE's. I have been eyeing a leftover '15 GL 63 at my dealer but probably will wait for new model in '20. Post pics when you take delivery!