Help! Sliding on slick road??
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2010 E350 4MATIC
Help! Sliding on slick road??
I drive a 2010 E350 4MATIC, with Dunlop Winter sports Snow tires. With AWD and snow tires (always maintain proper air pressure), I expect the car to outperform most other passenger cars on slick road, however, I don't feel the car lives up to my expectations.
Last week the road was a little icy, whenever I tried to drive above 40 MPH I noticed the rear of the car started to slide, and I had to hold the wheels tight to make it drive straight (the sliding warning light did not flash though). But at the same time, most small passenger cars like Toyota or Chevy kept passing me at 60+ MPH, and they were able to maintain control anyway.
Does this sound like a problem? e.g., Alignment issue?
Any comment will be greatly appreciated.
Last week the road was a little icy, whenever I tried to drive above 40 MPH I noticed the rear of the car started to slide, and I had to hold the wheels tight to make it drive straight (the sliding warning light did not flash though). But at the same time, most small passenger cars like Toyota or Chevy kept passing me at 60+ MPH, and they were able to maintain control anyway.
Does this sound like a problem? e.g., Alignment issue?
Any comment will be greatly appreciated.
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2010 E350 4MATIC
Thanks for the concerns. I should point out that the road was only "a little" icy, not ice covered. I understand a few drivers can be aggressive regardless of road conditions, but if 95% cars were passing me I suppose the problem was from me.
And I feel drive overly cautious are not necessarily safe either, while constantly being passed by many other cars and semi-trucks next lane. I believe it is safer to move with the flow. But because of the sliding concerns, I was not even able to keep up with the flow.
So does it sound like anything wrong with the car from a pure mechanical point of view?
And I feel drive overly cautious are not necessarily safe either, while constantly being passed by many other cars and semi-trucks next lane. I believe it is safer to move with the flow. But because of the sliding concerns, I was not even able to keep up with the flow.
So does it sound like anything wrong with the car from a pure mechanical point of view?
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You have had this car for 4 years and it is just now acting like this? If that is the case you should have it checked, but I doubt an alignment issue would be the cause of this strange behavior. Have you or anyone driving this car smacked a curb hard lately? Are the Dunlop snow tires old or out of date code? Did you buy them new or used?
Sounds to me like poor tires losing traction more than anything else.
Sounds to me like poor tires losing traction more than anything else.
Last edited by RA72825; Jan 12, 2015 at 01:54 PM.
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2010 E350 4MATIC
I had the car since July 2013 so it is about a year and a half by now. Last winter I had similar feeling but assumed it was because I was not used to the handling of the car (I previously drove a FWD Honda). Now I have driven the car ~30K miles myself and really expect myself to be more confident with it.
The Snow tires were bought brand new last year so this is only the 2nd season with them. The thread look at least 9/10 to me.
Had not smacked a curb lately or within the 1.5 years I had the car. It did happen with the previous owner judging from the wheels scratches but it drives OK on dry road.
The Snow tires were bought brand new last year so this is only the 2nd season with them. The thread look at least 9/10 to me.
Had not smacked a curb lately or within the 1.5 years I had the car. It did happen with the previous owner judging from the wheels scratches but it drives OK on dry road.
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2010 E550 4Matic, P1, P2
Sounds like a tire issue to me too. What is the date code on the tires. I have heard stories of tires bought of tire rack that had been in the warehouse 5+ years. If that the case no mater what the tread depth you will lose traction as the rubber compound starts losing it strength even after three years
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2010 E350 4MATIC
Just went and checked the date code. Interesting, 2 of the tires have the code 2313 which I understand means mid 2013. That sounds about right since I bought them Nov 2013.
The other 2 though do not have a date code on them. They do have the same code "DOT K52R JH1R" but no date code behind that like the other 2 tires. They are all the same size 235 40R18 By the way.
The other 2 though do not have a date code on them. They do have the same code "DOT K52R JH1R" but no date code behind that like the other 2 tires. They are all the same size 235 40R18 By the way.
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From: Toronto, ON
2010 E550 4Matic, P1, P2
Just went and checked the date code. Interesting, 2 of the tires have the code 2313 which I understand means mid 2013. That sounds about right since I bought them Nov 2013.
The other 2 though do not have a date code on them. They do have the same code "DOT K52R JH1R" but no date code behind that like the other 2 tires. They are all the same size 235 40R18 By the way.
The other 2 though do not have a date code on them. They do have the same code "DOT K52R JH1R" but no date code behind that like the other 2 tires. They are all the same size 235 40R18 By the way.
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Something is wacky, then. Maybe take it in for an alignment and see if that helps. The car should drive straight as an arrow without any crabbing or pulling in any direction. You should be able to literally drive with your finger tips on the wheel at highway speed. If you are in the death grip, then something is seriously wrong with your car.
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2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
No such thing as a little icy, especially when black ice occurs. NO car will perform on slick roads as well as dry roads, whether water, ice, snow or anything else. Most of the cars that are driving faster or travelling at all are being aimed, not driven.
Even if driveable, they aren't stoppable.
In the past, I have seen 4WD/AWD cars driving on icy/snowy/wet roads at near the normal speed limit. Later saw them in the median or on side of road where they crashed.
The number one safety feature of any vehicle is the driver acting responsibly.
Sorry for the rant, but all the accidents drive up the insurance rates and take law enforcement and EMS away from doing their jobs.
Even if driveable, they aren't stoppable.
In the past, I have seen 4WD/AWD cars driving on icy/snowy/wet roads at near the normal speed limit. Later saw them in the median or on side of road where they crashed.
The number one safety feature of any vehicle is the driver acting responsibly.
Sorry for the rant, but all the accidents drive up the insurance rates and take law enforcement and EMS away from doing their jobs.
Last edited by El Cid; Jan 12, 2015 at 03:49 PM.
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2010 E350 4MATIC
Thread Starter
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2010 E350 4MATIC
No such thing as a little icy, especially when black ice occurs. NO car will perform on slick roads as well as dry roads, whether water, ice, snow or anything else. Most of the cars that are driving faster or travelling at all are being aimed, not driven.
Even if driveable, they aren't stoppable.
In the past, I have seen 4WD/AWD cars driving on icy/snowy/wet roads at near the normal speed limit. Later saw them in the median or on side of road where they crashed.
The number one safety feature of any vehicle is the driver acting responsibly.
Sorry for the rant, but all the accidents drive up the insurance rates and take law enforcement and EMS away from doing their jobs.
Even if driveable, they aren't stoppable.
In the past, I have seen 4WD/AWD cars driving on icy/snowy/wet roads at near the normal speed limit. Later saw them in the median or on side of road where they crashed.
The number one safety feature of any vehicle is the driver acting responsibly.
Sorry for the rant, but all the accidents drive up the insurance rates and take law enforcement and EMS away from doing their jobs.
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2010 E350 4MATIC
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07 E63 + 07 CLK63CAB
I agree with lowering the pressure a bit but make sure your gauge is correct in the first place. Hopefully handheld and not the gauge at the gas station.
Just for piece of mind drop by a reputable alignment shop and ask to check your alignment, ie a 4 wheel alignment, the car could be dog tracking
Just for piece of mind drop by a reputable alignment shop and ask to check your alignment, ie a 4 wheel alignment, the car could be dog tracking
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2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Well, it could be really bad tires but as bad as you explain probably not. It almost sounds like the front and rear axles are fighting meaning one axle has faster speed than the other.
Check tire diameters and place bigger ones in front. This should help to keep rear in check.
On slippery road with the 4 Matic the way it is built it is very important that the tires are the same diameter.
Check tire diameters and place bigger ones in front. This should help to keep rear in check.
On slippery road with the 4 Matic the way it is built it is very important that the tires are the same diameter.
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2010 E350 4MATIC
I agree with lowering the pressure a bit but make sure your gauge is correct in the first place. Hopefully handheld and not the gauge at the gas station.
Just for piece of mind drop by a reputable alignment shop and ask to check your alignment, ie a 4 wheel alignment, the car could be dog tracking
Just for piece of mind drop by a reputable alignment shop and ask to check your alignment, ie a 4 wheel alignment, the car could be dog tracking
Not sure anywhere other than MB dealer can do the alignment. I hate to spend $200~$300 for alignment but the car did not actually need it.
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2010 E350 4MATIC
Well, it could be really bad tires but as bad as you explain probably not. It almost sounds like the front and rear axles are fighting meaning one axle has faster speed than the other.
Check tire diameters and place bigger ones in front. This should help to keep rear in check.
On slippery road with the 4 Matic the way it is built it is very important that the tires are the same diameter.
Check tire diameters and place bigger ones in front. This should help to keep rear in check.
On slippery road with the 4 Matic the way it is built it is very important that the tires are the same diameter.
I thought the rear wheels are generally larger than front? My friend's have 18 on front and 19 on the back.
Last edited by fyuntao; Jan 12, 2015 at 08:56 PM.
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07 E63 + 07 CLK63CAB
4maticshould have the same size as you know.
To test for alignment issue take the car to a large parking lot drive the car then remove your hands from the wheel, of course 10-20 mph see what the car does- straight or veers to one side.
After doing this one way turn around and try to go roughly in the same place and see if the car does the same or veers differently.
You may try with hands off to increase throttle just a bit to also see what is up. Caution when driving without hands off, use caution .
Still thinking alignment!!
FYI my snowblower was tracking to the left, tire pressure was lower on that side, just sayin
To test for alignment issue take the car to a large parking lot drive the car then remove your hands from the wheel, of course 10-20 mph see what the car does- straight or veers to one side.
After doing this one way turn around and try to go roughly in the same place and see if the car does the same or veers differently.
You may try with hands off to increase throttle just a bit to also see what is up. Caution when driving without hands off, use caution .
Still thinking alignment!!
FYI my snowblower was tracking to the left, tire pressure was lower on that side, just sayin
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Your wheels are the same size, it's a 4matic. At this point, with all of the information on your tires and you saying that you needed to grip the wheel on the slick road I would think there is a good case of a serious alignment issue. The car should not handle in this skittish fashion. Spend the time to get it aligned properly by your dealer or a good independent shop. At least they can inspect the suspension properly as well if you describe your condition to them. Let us know what your issue resolution was as it always helps others who may suffer the same problem.
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2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Your wheels are the same size, it's a 4matic. At this point, with all of the information on your tires and you saying that you needed to grip the wheel on the slick road I would think there is a good case of a serious alignment issue. The car should not handle in this skittish fashion. Spend the time to get it aligned properly by your dealer or a good independent shop. At least they can inspect the suspension properly as well if you describe your condition to them. Let us know what your issue resolution was as it always helps others who may suffer the same problem.
If serious alignment issue like bad toe in rear then summer tires would wear showing it.
