Feeling unsafe driving in the rain
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Joined: Aug 2013
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2014 GL 350 Bluetec
Feeling unsafe driving in the rain
I am not sure if it's my tires or what, but when I drive in the rain it is down right scary. I usually go the speed limit or a little above even when raining and have never felt unsafe in any car driving in the rain. I have to say that I'm almost scared to drive the GL in the rain. I sway back and forth and it doesn't really feel like a true hydroplane but like I'm a little out of control.
Wondering if anyone else has this problem. My FIL said that it's probably all the computers taking over and trying to keep me in line. I don't know that it is. Just wondering if a different tire would help. I've got about 50% tread left and 16K miles so far, and of course not having much luck finding a decent tire for the 19" wheels.
Wondering if anyone else has this problem. My FIL said that it's probably all the computers taking over and trying to keep me in line. I don't know that it is. Just wondering if a different tire would help. I've got about 50% tread left and 16K miles so far, and of course not having much luck finding a decent tire for the 19" wheels.
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Joined: Jan 2014
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ML350
Just like the post above, I've only had that issue when I needed new tires due to wear.
I once replaced the OEM Michelins with the recommended Pirelli tire and they wore out completely in less than 8,000 miles. Vehicle was all over the road. Stopped by dealer who noticed the tires were already down to the wear bars. Dealer was shocked and called Pirelli. Pirelli ended up refunding 50% and I went back to the Michelins.
But I would definitely start by checking the tires for excessive or uneven wear
I once replaced the OEM Michelins with the recommended Pirelli tire and they wore out completely in less than 8,000 miles. Vehicle was all over the road. Stopped by dealer who noticed the tires were already down to the wear bars. Dealer was shocked and called Pirelli. Pirelli ended up refunding 50% and I went back to the Michelins.
But I would definitely start by checking the tires for excessive or uneven wear
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2014 GL 350 Bluetec
I want to say they are set for 38 PSI. I remember when I first got the car they had the back tires set to 5psi higher. The last time I took it in they put them all the same.
Has anyone used the Michelin Latitude sport tires? With the configuration of the 275/55/19 there are only a handful of options. I have the Continental 4x4 on now.
Has anyone used the Michelin Latitude sport tires? With the configuration of the 275/55/19 there are only a handful of options. I have the Continental 4x4 on now.
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2014 GL 350 Bluetec
Traction control light never comes on in the rain. I'm trying to remember how the car drove when I first got it in the rain. Seems to me this didn't happen. I know the tires aren't ready to be retired but that is all that I can think of.
How many miles are on your Contis?
How many miles are on your Contis?
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From: Huntington NY
S560
I've done a few runs upstate early in the morning in solid rain at over 80mph- steady as in the dry. I will say the truck does float a little more than I would like in general, but it hugs in the rain...
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
A couple of factors at work here…… first; the tires on our vehicles are WIDE and because of that they WILL push water, snow, whatever to a greater degree than more narrow tires…..resulting in a "squirmy" kind of feeling. Second; ..as they wear, the feeling will become more pronounced. I do NOT like the Conti tires that are standard on our vehicles because they wear so fast… BUTTTT…when the tread is adequate they will handle the wet roads as well as, and are more comfortable than anything else you can buy. ( after 3 GL's and various tire brands….believe me…. I know!) When the "squirmy" feeling is felt your choices are …slow down, or keep going and the stability program will take over and modulate throttle and wheel spin.
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2014 GL 350 Bluetec
Hmm...definitely can't go 80 and in fact going 60 almost makes me nervous when it rains and believe me, I like to drive fast. I truly feel like I am going to fly into a ditch, so maybe at this point I need to talk to my service manager and see what should be done and whether it's the tires.
Blittle- I've driven on a wider tire that were BF Goodrich All Terrains in my old Suburban and never felt unsafe at all. Barely felt the rain actually. Although the tread on those is much thicker. I also realize it was a completely different vehicle but...all good info though. Thank you.
Blittle- I've driven on a wider tire that were BF Goodrich All Terrains in my old Suburban and never felt unsafe at all. Barely felt the rain actually. Although the tread on those is much thicker. I also realize it was a completely different vehicle but...all good info though. Thank you.
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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
Hmm...definitely can't go 80 and in fact going 60 almost makes me nervous when it rains and believe me, I like to drive fast. I truly feel like I am going to fly into a ditch, so maybe at this point I need to talk to my service manager and see what should be done and whether it's the tires.
Blittle- I've driven on a wider tire that were BF Goodrich All Terrains in my old Suburban and never felt unsafe at all. Barely felt the rain actually. Although the tread on those is much thicker. I also realize it was a completely different vehicle but...all good info though. Thank you.
Blittle- I've driven on a wider tire that were BF Goodrich All Terrains in my old Suburban and never felt unsafe at all. Barely felt the rain actually. Although the tread on those is much thicker. I also realize it was a completely different vehicle but...all good info though. Thank you.
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From: Huntington NY
S560
Hmm...definitely can't go 80 and in fact going 60 almost makes me nervous when it rains and believe me, I like to drive fast. I truly feel like I am going to fly into a ditch, so maybe at this point I need to talk to my service manager and see what should be done and whether it's the tires.
Blittle- I've driven on a wider tire that were BF Goodrich All Terrains in my old Suburban and never felt unsafe at all. Barely felt the rain actually. Although the tread on those is much thicker. I also realize it was a completely different vehicle but...all good info though. Thank you.
Blittle- I've driven on a wider tire that were BF Goodrich All Terrains in my old Suburban and never felt unsafe at all. Barely felt the rain actually. Although the tread on those is much thicker. I also realize it was a completely different vehicle but...all good info though. Thank you.
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Joined: Apr 2014
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2014 GL350
Haven't noticed this really with ours, then again have the Active Curve system. I did notice that the GL350 handles differently compared to the 450. I'm no engineer but that could be due to the weight difference of the motors and overall vehicle. Also the 2014 GL350 has smaller breaks on the front than the 450. I've not had any issues in the rain. Only major gripes are the accelerations isn't as good as the 450 but it's a diesel duhh, and the stopping power, it's like stopping a semi! Sadly I feel like my 2013 Avalon Hybrid stops faster but then it's a big difference in weight between the two.
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2014 GL 350 Bluetec
So I took my GL into the dealer today to get a rotate and balance and told him about the issue with the rain. He looked at the tire and said it had about 5K miles left. I only have 17K miles on them. It's insane that these Continentals only last 20K-25K miles. He said with the handling around curves and driving mainly in the city that they will wear more and eventually not be as good in the rain.
So, I had done some research in the past on others who were not happy with these tires and someone said they switched for a size 255/60/19 and that there is barely a difference. I just researched a Goodyear Wrangler All Terrain Adventure tire in that size that apparently does great on the highway, off road and great for rain and snow. This might just be what I've been looking for since BF Goodrich doesn't make All Terrains to fit the GL.
So, I had done some research in the past on others who were not happy with these tires and someone said they switched for a size 255/60/19 and that there is barely a difference. I just researched a Goodyear Wrangler All Terrain Adventure tire in that size that apparently does great on the highway, off road and great for rain and snow. This might just be what I've been looking for since BF Goodrich doesn't make All Terrains to fit the GL.
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2024 GLS450, Previously 2020 GLS450, 2017 GLS450, 2014 GL450, 2012 GL450
I have the Pirelli Scorpion on my GL, they did get better ratings than the Continental on tire rack.
I can't speak to long term wear as I only have 2k miles.
I can't speak to long term wear as I only have 2k miles.
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ML350
Tried the Pirelli Scorpions once. They were down to the wear bars in 8K miles. Pirelli was nice enough refund a lot of my money but it left a bad taste in my mouth. I have avoided them since. They must have known they had a bad batch since they came up off the refund very easily.
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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
If you look at all that you see here, and...even go back a couple model years in the 164 run....there is NO really good answer to the tire question. "Good" meaning great ride, longevity, and good traction in all situations. Many of us have tried a variety of brands.....myself included, and each brand/variation had benefits and drawbacks........much like the OEM Contis that we have all said we don't like! 
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From: NYC
18 E63s Wagon 15 GL63 (sold), 10 Turbo TT MT, A36 Bonanza, 20 JLU Rubicon
I would look to have a 4 wheel alignment. My GL63 proved to have one of the rear suspensions off a bit.
are you driving the car in C or S? As I am not familiar with the 166 in non AMG format... but my old GL550 164 felt much more solid when not in Comfort mode.
as far as tire wear... figure 17K-19K max
are you driving the car in C or S? As I am not familiar with the 166 in non AMG format... but my old GL550 164 felt much more solid when not in Comfort mode.
as far as tire wear... figure 17K-19K max
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2014 GL 350 Bluetec
I would look to have a 4 wheel alignment. My GL63 proved to have one of the rear suspensions off a bit.
are you driving the car in C or S? As I am not familiar with the 166 in non AMG format... but my old GL550 164 felt much more solid when not in Comfort mode.
as far as tire wear... figure 17K-19K max
are you driving the car in C or S? As I am not familiar with the 166 in non AMG format... but my old GL550 164 felt much more solid when not in Comfort mode.
as far as tire wear... figure 17K-19K max
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: NYC
18 E63s Wagon 15 GL63 (sold), 10 Turbo TT MT, A36 Bonanza, 20 JLU Rubicon
Glad to hear that it was only the tires... I kinda figured that would be the issue... These vehicles drive very well for such large and heavy trucks.
Tires and tire pressure are items that people just don't always appreciate the importance of keeping in check and with the GL it becomes obvious pretty quickly
Tires and tire pressure are items that people just don't always appreciate the importance of keeping in check and with the GL it becomes obvious pretty quickly
