GL550 Tires in the Snow
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Colorado Rocky Mtns.
'06 A6 & '08 GL550
GL550 Tires in the Snow
Today, we got our first real snow in the foothills and Denver. So, I drove our 550 through a variety of conditions to test out the 21" AMG's.
I70 East from Evergreen Parkway to 6th Ave
The interstate was a mess. It seemed like CDOT forgot how to maintain an interstate during a snow storm. Only two of three lanes were operable and in the span of 10 miles we saw 4 cars off the road and 5 jack knifed 18-wheelers. Utilizing the Touch Shift gear selector controls to manually downshift and upshift, I felt totally in control. The road was snow packed and icy, yet the tires really did an excellent job and I didn't feel loose at all.
6th Ave East to I25
6th Avenue was a slushy mess. Based on my experience on the ice and snow pack, I figured this portion of the trip would be a piece of cake. WRONG! At highway speeds (65mph), the 550 had a very difficult time changing lanes as the GL would become exceptionally loose. I felt much more in control at about 50 mph and the slush wasn't as difficult for the GL.
I25 South
I25 was just wet. However, there were pockets of standing water on the interstate in a few locations. Again, at highway speeds (55mph), the 550 hydroplaned and was very difficult to control. I dropped the speed to 50mph and experienced the same effect. It seemed once I dropped to 45mph or less, the 550 did not hydroplane.
This was the first time I've truly been able to experience the 550 in wet weather conditions. I think once I get used to its handling, I'll be okay. But, right now, I'm very concerned with the tires on roadways that are slushy, or have standing water. I've never had a vehicle handle so poorly in those conditions.
I70 East from Evergreen Parkway to 6th Ave
The interstate was a mess. It seemed like CDOT forgot how to maintain an interstate during a snow storm. Only two of three lanes were operable and in the span of 10 miles we saw 4 cars off the road and 5 jack knifed 18-wheelers. Utilizing the Touch Shift gear selector controls to manually downshift and upshift, I felt totally in control. The road was snow packed and icy, yet the tires really did an excellent job and I didn't feel loose at all.
6th Ave East to I25
6th Avenue was a slushy mess. Based on my experience on the ice and snow pack, I figured this portion of the trip would be a piece of cake. WRONG! At highway speeds (65mph), the 550 had a very difficult time changing lanes as the GL would become exceptionally loose. I felt much more in control at about 50 mph and the slush wasn't as difficult for the GL.
I25 South
I25 was just wet. However, there were pockets of standing water on the interstate in a few locations. Again, at highway speeds (55mph), the 550 hydroplaned and was very difficult to control. I dropped the speed to 50mph and experienced the same effect. It seemed once I dropped to 45mph or less, the 550 did not hydroplane.
This was the first time I've truly been able to experience the 550 in wet weather conditions. I think once I get used to its handling, I'll be okay. But, right now, I'm very concerned with the tires on roadways that are slushy, or have standing water. I've never had a vehicle handle so poorly in those conditions.
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Denver
08 GL 550, 07 Porsche GT3, 07 SL 550, 06 CLS 55, 06 Lamb Gallardo SE, 06 HD Fatboy, 06 HD RoadGlide
Does the 18" combo (Wheels/Tires) fit the 550? Per the owners manual, having a hard time finding the 265/65 x 19 winter tire (Dunlop Tire). So I don't think the 19" combo will work at this time.
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From: Colorado Rocky Mtns.
'06 A6 & '08 GL550
Don't know if they would work or not, but if they do, I think they would look pretty silly and get lost in the wheel well of the 550. At the dealer today, they said mine was the first road report they had received. My SA still didn't have an alternative tire/wheel replacement at this time.
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 22
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From: Denver
08 GL 550, 07 Porsche GT3, 07 SL 550, 06 CLS 55, 06 Lamb Gallardo SE, 06 HD Fatboy, 06 HD RoadGlide
I agree with it looking silly using 18" wheels, but it would look real silly if we got stuck in the snow because we have no traction in the snow with an incredibile 4WD SUV!
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
Sorry, I have no idea where that went. I must've been on 550 tires in the snow. <Ducking>
STP
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From: LA LA Land
'07 GL 450, '02 S 80 T6
Originally Posted by StevethePilot
Sorry, I have no idea where that went. I must've been on 550 tires in the snow. <Ducking>
Thanks, STP, I needed that after the last couple of weeks.
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'06 A6 & '08 GL550
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E320 & GL450
All:
Why not try the 18" combination with edgier tires for the 5winter months. The tire diameter is the same with the 21's and the 18's given that the difference is taken up in height. They all fit in the same wheel well also. I had to do this with my Porches every winter when I was living in Europe.
Why not try the 18" combination with edgier tires for the 5winter months. The tire diameter is the same with the 21's and the 18's given that the difference is taken up in height. They all fit in the same wheel well also. I had to do this with my Porches every winter when I was living in Europe.
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: The OC
Depends where I'm going.
Be careful with those 21s in the snow. Mine has 20" wheels/tires and they are terrible in the snow. They are summer tires and they track fine but don't brake or grip nearly as well as all weather or M+S rated tires.
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: ft.lauderdale
08 S-550 & 08 GL-550
Today, we got our first real snow in the foothills and Denver. So, I drove our 550 through a variety of conditions to test out the 21" AMG's.
I70 East from Evergreen Parkway to 6th Ave
The interstate was a mess. It seemed like CDOT forgot how to maintain an interstate during a snow storm. Only two of three lanes were operable and in the span of 10 miles we saw 4 cars off the road and 5 jack knifed 18-wheelers. Utilizing the Touch Shift gear selector controls to manually downshift and upshift, I felt totally in control. The road was snow packed and icy, yet the tires really did an excellent job and I didn't feel loose at all.
6th Ave East to I25
6th Avenue was a slushy mess. Based on my experience on the ice and snow pack, I figured this portion of the trip would be a piece of cake. WRONG! At highway speeds (65mph), the 550 had a very difficult time changing lanes as the GL would become exceptionally loose. I felt much more in control at about 50 mph and the slush wasn't as difficult for the GL.
I25 South
I25 was just wet. However, there were pockets of standing water on the interstate in a few locations. Again, at highway speeds (55mph), the 550 hydroplaned and was very difficult to control. I dropped the speed to 50mph and experienced the same effect. It seemed once I dropped to 45mph or less, the 550 did not hydroplane.
This was the first time I've truly been able to experience the 550 in wet weather conditions. I think once I get used to its handling, I'll be okay. But, right now, I'm very concerned with the tires on roadways that are slushy, or have standing water. I've never had a vehicle handle so poorly in those conditions.
I70 East from Evergreen Parkway to 6th Ave
The interstate was a mess. It seemed like CDOT forgot how to maintain an interstate during a snow storm. Only two of three lanes were operable and in the span of 10 miles we saw 4 cars off the road and 5 jack knifed 18-wheelers. Utilizing the Touch Shift gear selector controls to manually downshift and upshift, I felt totally in control. The road was snow packed and icy, yet the tires really did an excellent job and I didn't feel loose at all.
6th Ave East to I25
6th Avenue was a slushy mess. Based on my experience on the ice and snow pack, I figured this portion of the trip would be a piece of cake. WRONG! At highway speeds (65mph), the 550 had a very difficult time changing lanes as the GL would become exceptionally loose. I felt much more in control at about 50 mph and the slush wasn't as difficult for the GL.
I25 South
I25 was just wet. However, there were pockets of standing water on the interstate in a few locations. Again, at highway speeds (55mph), the 550 hydroplaned and was very difficult to control. I dropped the speed to 50mph and experienced the same effect. It seemed once I dropped to 45mph or less, the 550 did not hydroplane.
This was the first time I've truly been able to experience the 550 in wet weather conditions. I think once I get used to its handling, I'll be okay. But, right now, I'm very concerned with the tires on roadways that are slushy, or have standing water. I've never had a vehicle handle so poorly in those conditions.
I know what you mean about the wet weather
Here in Florida we have serious down pours all of the time!!
Having had a Rang Rover prior to this with 20 inch wheels it just never hydroplaned , where the GL is very Vonrable to hydroplaned !!
This would be one of my only complains aside from not liking the way the GL takes bumps in the road compared to my RR....If it werent for these two problems i would easily be able to say that the GL creamed the RR in every aspect besides off-roading of course!!
Last edited by dsunnym1; Oct 24, 2007 at 02:24 PM.
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From: The OC
Depends where I'm going.
Mine came with 20" Michelin Diamaris and they hydroplane as well. I also had a problem with the tires cupping so badly they had to be replaced at 15k miles even though they easily had 15k miles left on them.
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
Gl450 here.......mine came with the stock 18 contis. and I replaced them with some more aggressive tread Yokohama's. Contis. are fine except that the combination of a "comfort tread" design and the width of the tire almost guarantee hydroplane issues and less ability in the snow. Of course you guys with the 550 and the lower profile tires have an additional challenge! I'll be taking mine "sledding" in the hills of Vermont later this winter..........I'll let you know how it goes
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
I know what you mean about the wet weather
Here in Florida we have serious down pours all of the time!!
Having had a Rang Rover prior to this with 20 inch wheels it just never hydroplaned , where the GL is very Vonrable to hydroplaned !!
This would be one of my only complains aside from not liking the way the GL takes bumps in the road compared to my RR....If it werent for these two problems i would easily be able to say that the GL creamed the RR in every aspect besides off-roading of course!!
Here in Florida we have serious down pours all of the time!!
Having had a Rang Rover prior to this with 20 inch wheels it just never hydroplaned , where the GL is very Vonrable to hydroplaned !!
This would be one of my only complains aside from not liking the way the GL takes bumps in the road compared to my RR....If it werent for these two problems i would easily be able to say that the GL creamed the RR in every aspect besides off-roading of course!!
