Snow Chains?
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Cali
2011 GL450
Snow Chains?
For those of you that live where it snows, what chains did you buy? I do not have the owners manual yet, (the bone head in AZ forgot to put it in the car) I have the 20" wheels. Can you recommend good ones for me? Are only cable chains recommended? Thanks
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From: LA LA Land
'07 GL 450, '02 S 80 T6
How much Snow did you guys get?
Also, there is a link at the top of the forum that will take you to the online manual for GL.
Lastly, when I was up in Yosemite last winter, they let us drive without chains once they saw the 4-matic badge
Also, there is a link at the top of the forum that will take you to the online manual for GL.
Lastly, when I was up in Yosemite last winter, they let us drive without chains once they saw the 4-matic badge
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From: .
08 GL450
Our GL450 on it's OEM 19 " tires does just fine getting around Lake Tahoe as well as over the summit on I 80. Even in big storms .
Chains for an AWD SUV with these all season tires could be needed if you are going to climb snow covered nonpaved roads / private unplowed roads , I suppose .
Chains for an AWD SUV with these all season tires could be needed if you are going to climb snow covered nonpaved roads / private unplowed roads , I suppose .
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Cali
2011 GL450
Nish- We have over 2 1/2 feet right now and a predicted 12-18 inches more tonight. We have to prove we have chains in the car to travel up and down the mountain. There are times when it is so bad that 4WD and AWD have to chain up to come up the mountain. I go to school in Ontario and commute up and down the mountain several days a week. This is really just a CYA type of situation, but if I have to have chains in my car to prove to the CHP I thought they should really fit 
I looked at the online owners manual but it didn't specify which type of chain ie. cable, zero clearance or type "S". It just stated they have to be on the rear tires only.
MKW-I am so happy to hear that it does that good I am on a unplowed private road. We did by chance get a swipe by the plow yesterday. I have been house bound and have cabin fever bad! LOL!
I looked at the online owners manual but it didn't specify which type of chain ie. cable, zero clearance or type "S". It just stated they have to be on the rear tires only.MKW-I am so happy to hear that it does that good
I am on a unplowed private road. We did by chance get a swipe by the plow yesterday. I have been house bound and have cabin fever bad! LOL!
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Cali
2011 GL450
Lots of fresh powder too! My GL came with the run flats, they have decent tread and I think they will do well. We got another swipe from the snow plow so all is good for now!Here a few pictures of the snow
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
But Holy Monkey, I guess you need 'em in the mountains of So Cal today!
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From: .
08 GL450
here are the chain control regulations in Calif :
R1 - 2WD chains required. 4WD all tires okay.
R2 - 2WD chains required. 4WD snow tires required.
R3 - ALL vehicles (2WD & 4WD) must have chains.
On some small rural roads they can inforce R3 -so even GL with snow tires must still wear chains
The CHP says they will never call R3 on major roads/hiways - they will just close the road to all traffic if it's that bad .
R1 - 2WD chains required. 4WD all tires okay.
R2 - 2WD chains required. 4WD snow tires required.
R3 - ALL vehicles (2WD & 4WD) must have chains.
On some small rural roads they can inforce R3 -so even GL with snow tires must still wear chains
The CHP says they will never call R3 on major roads/hiways - they will just close the road to all traffic if it's that bad .
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 635
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From: Cali
2011 GL450
here are the chain control regulations in Calif :
R1 - 2WD chains required. 4WD all tires okay.
R2 - 2WD chains required. 4WD snow tires required.
R3 - ALL vehicles (2WD & 4WD) must have chains.
On some small rural roads they can inforce R3 -so even GL with snow tires must still wear chains
The CHP says they will never call R3 on major roads/hiways - they will just close the road to all traffic if it's that bad .
R1 - 2WD chains required. 4WD all tires okay.
R2 - 2WD chains required. 4WD snow tires required.
R3 - ALL vehicles (2WD & 4WD) must have chains.
On some small rural roads they can inforce R3 -so even GL with snow tires must still wear chains
The CHP says they will never call R3 on major roads/hiways - they will just close the road to all traffic if it's that bad .
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Joined: Dec 2008
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08 GL 450 Black/Black
Nice pictures of the snow! I can't believe you have that much precipitation out there. We've only gotten a dusting so far out here in New England (other than ice in neighboring states). Your lovely new car looks like it hasn't seen any action nor gotten any precipitation on it since you've gotten it - it looks so clean!
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Cali
2011 GL450
Nice pictures of the snow! I can't believe you have that much precipitation out there. We've only gotten a dusting so far out here in New England (other than ice in neighboring states). Your lovely new car looks like it hasn't seen any action nor gotten any precipitation on it since you've gotten it - it looks so clean!
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From: South Orange County, CA
4 wheels
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 635
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From: Cali
2011 GL450
NO WAY!! LOL!!!
We are now under R3 conditions. Hwy 18 up the mountain to Lake Arrowhead now requires that 4WD HAVE to chain up! My dad is stuck in chain control right now and they are making him chain his 4X4 truck up to come home. I am so glad I didn't go anywhere today since I don't have chains yet!
We are now under R3 conditions. Hwy 18 up the mountain to Lake Arrowhead now requires that 4WD HAVE to chain up! My dad is stuck in chain control right now and they are making him chain his 4X4 truck up to come home. I am so glad I didn't go anywhere today since I don't have chains yet!
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Cali
2011 GL450
I took out the new car today. It did GREAT! I love this car. It handled the snow so well. I am very impressed. The paddle shifters are really nice to for gearing down for steep hills. I ended buying a really nice set of cable chains and they are awesome. Easy to put on and have great grip We are in for another 2 feet of snow this week!
We are in for another 2 feet of snow this week!
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 118
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From: Seattle, WA
2008 GL 550
I just got SCC's at Discount Tire for about $100 - http://www.scc-chain.com/Traction%20...Trac_SZLT.html
Note:
- manual says use snow chains on rear tires only (do not use on spare wheel)
- do not select sport mode (need to ensure clearance)
- suggests we deactivate ESP
- However, manual also notes that use of snow chains is not permissible with all wheel/tire combinations, so check your manual.
- For those with GL 550's - tire chart in manual has footnote that we should not use snow chains with our AMG rims and all season 295/40 R21's. Not sure why (prbly not to damage wheel), does anyone know? In any case, looks like I'll be returning mine as this is my current tire/wheel combo.
Has anyone used chains on the GL550?
Note:
- manual says use snow chains on rear tires only (do not use on spare wheel)
- do not select sport mode (need to ensure clearance)
- suggests we deactivate ESP
- However, manual also notes that use of snow chains is not permissible with all wheel/tire combinations, so check your manual.
- For those with GL 550's - tire chart in manual has footnote that we should not use snow chains with our AMG rims and all season 295/40 R21's. Not sure why (prbly not to damage wheel), does anyone know? In any case, looks like I'll be returning mine as this is my current tire/wheel combo.
Has anyone used chains on the GL550?
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 118
Likes: 1
From: Seattle, WA
2008 GL 550
Use the tool here to look up your tire size anf find the model number: http://www.scc-chain.com/Traction%20..._app_guide.asp
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 635
Likes: 2
From: Cali
2011 GL450
I just got SCC's at Discount Tire for about $100 - http://www.scc-chain.com/Traction%20...Trac_SZLT.html
Note:
- manual says use snow chains on rear tires only (do not use on spare wheel)
- do not select sport mode (need to ensure clearance)
- suggests we deactivate ESP
- However, manual also notes that use of snow chains is not permissible with all wheel/tire combinations, so check your manual.
- For those with GL 550's - tire chart in manual has footnote that we should not use snow chains with our AMG rims and all season 295/40 R21's. Not sure why (prbly not to damage wheel), does anyone know? In any case, looks like I'll be returning mine as this is my current tire/wheel combo.
Has anyone used chains on the GL550?
Note:
- manual says use snow chains on rear tires only (do not use on spare wheel)
- do not select sport mode (need to ensure clearance)
- suggests we deactivate ESP
- However, manual also notes that use of snow chains is not permissible with all wheel/tire combinations, so check your manual.
- For those with GL 550's - tire chart in manual has footnote that we should not use snow chains with our AMG rims and all season 295/40 R21's. Not sure why (prbly not to damage wheel), does anyone know? In any case, looks like I'll be returning mine as this is my current tire/wheel combo.
Has anyone used chains on the GL550?
Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 87
Likes: 19
From: New Zealand
Formally: 2002 ML 270cdi, 2012 GL 350 cdi. Current: 2020 GLS 400d & 2024 AMG A35
Hi all,
Trying to find out if anyone has successfully used chains on all 4 wheels on their GL with the 295/40 R21 AMG wheels ?
I am looking at the SCC Super Z 6 chains.
Trying to find out if anyone has successfully used chains on all 4 wheels on their GL with the 295/40 R21 AMG wheels ?
I am looking at the SCC Super Z 6 chains.
