MB Service Dept
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 381
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From: FL
Sold 06 CLS500. SL550 09. SL550 2013. Own C6 Corvette heavily customized garage queen 2005.
MB Service Dept
After I had the ESP error message sorted out, which I previoulsy mentioned a few posts ago.............I asked them at the same time to have my free rotation done and also to fix the drivers seat....it was squeeking and creaking badly(only 10 weeks old) and getting annoying. Got the car back and only because I had noticed from very early on that the drivers side back tire had a very small piece of actual tire loose,(very small rubber flap) did I now realize that they hadn't actually done any rotation...not to the back anyway. So does rotating the tires mean what I think it should be, that is, actually swopping the tires over?
And the seat problem is back again and getting to the irritating level...very noticeable and I am not a heavy guy. So I think they actually did nothing, or very little. Should I contact the Service Manager, who told me if I wasn't happy to speak to him directly and therefore report my concerns?
And the seat problem is back again and getting to the irritating level...very noticeable and I am not a heavy guy. So I think they actually did nothing, or very little. Should I contact the Service Manager, who told me if I wasn't happy to speak to him directly and therefore report my concerns?
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 119
Likes: 1
From: Santa Barbara, CA
'20 CLS450; '14 CLA250; '14 Honda GX Natural Gas Powered
Directional tires
My USA CLS500 came with Continental Contact 2's of different size tires on the front and the back. The continental tire website was not helpful providing the following in their FAQ's
"Tires should be rotated in a "modified X" pattern meaning only the tires being moved to the drive axle are crossed to the opposite side of the vehicle. The remaining two tires are moved from the drive axle to the free rolling axle, remaining on the same side of the vehicle. This method of rotation helps promote a more even and uniform tread wear pattern for all four tires. The only exception to this would be the use of "directional" tread design tires. These tires would remain on the same side of the vehicle and be rotated straightforward and straight back. If you have a full size spare that is the same size and type of tire it must be rotated into service during normal tire rotation intervals." I have e-mailed them the question.
I could not find out whether my tires are "directional" or not. The MB manual says unidirectional tires have an arrow of the sidewall indicating the intended direction of rotation. I couldn't see any stinking arrow, but it did say "OUTSIDE" on the tire itself.
My guess is the Continentals are not "directional" and can be swapped from side to side, even though this flies in the face of the old saw that radial tires are directional and the old bias-ply are not.
"Tires should be rotated in a "modified X" pattern meaning only the tires being moved to the drive axle are crossed to the opposite side of the vehicle. The remaining two tires are moved from the drive axle to the free rolling axle, remaining on the same side of the vehicle. This method of rotation helps promote a more even and uniform tread wear pattern for all four tires. The only exception to this would be the use of "directional" tread design tires. These tires would remain on the same side of the vehicle and be rotated straightforward and straight back. If you have a full size spare that is the same size and type of tire it must be rotated into service during normal tire rotation intervals." I have e-mailed them the question.
I could not find out whether my tires are "directional" or not. The MB manual says unidirectional tires have an arrow of the sidewall indicating the intended direction of rotation. I couldn't see any stinking arrow, but it did say "OUTSIDE" on the tire itself.
My guess is the Continentals are not "directional" and can be swapped from side to side, even though this flies in the face of the old saw that radial tires are directional and the old bias-ply are not.
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 60
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From: Los Angeles, California
E63 AMG
I believe the tires are 'staggered width' meaning the fronts are different width from the backs. As such, you can't rotate them. My manual indicated that tires should be rotated unless you have staggered width tires. Maybe this is your case too - as such the dealer could not rotate them. <?>
