MomsBenz

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

oknish

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

MKW

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 .

MomsBenz

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!

MB Fanatic

Ski trip to Kaila's. Woohoo.

I don't think my GL could make it up though without chains. The tires on this thing are low-pro and they suck.

MomsBenz

Come on up, we have plenty of room 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

StevethePilot

The one time I asked about chains, I was sent to some company that sold them for like $1000, which to my mind is ridiculous. And why I don't have chains right now.

But Holy Monkey, I guess you need 'em in the mountains of So Cal today!

MKW

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 .

MomsBenz

Precisely! I have lived up here for 33 years, and I have been through R3 conditions. Most times I need chains to get from the main highway to my house

dskmd

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!

MomsBenz

It hasn't left the garage since the night I brought it home. 57 miles are all that's on it. There isn't much hope of it coming out this week or next. The storms are lined up out there. Hopefully you will get some real snow soon

MB Fanatic

come on Kaila, take it out. The car needs to be broken in you know.

MomsBenz

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!

MomsBenz

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!

293

What brand did you buy?

Can you post a link to what you purchased and how much was it?

Thanks.

slim nicky

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?

slim nicky

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

MomsBenz

Those are the ones I got. I bought them at PepBoys and they were $100 with tax. The are super easy to put on and I can't even begin to describe how well they did. I had to travel a road that was not plowed and had over 2 1/2 feet of snow on it. I never slid once, even on the down hill had great stopping power. I traveled to Wrightwood today and never put my chains on. My husbands grandparents live on a dirt road and covered in snow the GL handled unbelieveably! I am so impressed

PhilipHanser

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.