Off-roading 4Matic GLA250?
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From: Orange County, CA
GLA250 4Matic, 911 Carrera S, R1250 GS Adv.
Off-roading 4Matic GLA250?
Really enjoying my new (to me) GLA250 4matic! Now thinking of seeking out some unpaved dirt roads, not suitable for normal 2wd sedans, to test its offroad capability. Am particularly interested in ground clearance and traction performance. Haven't seen any off-road reports for stock GLA250s - any referrals or recommendations?
Late edit: This GLA is a 2018 model (with new Continental runflats).
Late edit: This GLA is a 2018 model (with new Continental runflats).
Last edited by Sailorlite; Sep 27, 2021 at 09:05 AM. Reason: Adding possibly useful info.
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Ground clearance of 5.3 inches is a limiter. 8 inches is good to have.
low profile tires are not good for off roading, speaking from experience with a W166.
Read your manual about your version of 4MATIC. If your vehicle has the 4ETS feature this gives you almost the same capability as limited slip and locking differentials.
What state/where are you off roading?
low profile tires are not good for off roading, speaking from experience with a W166.
Read your manual about your version of 4MATIC. If your vehicle has the 4ETS feature this gives you almost the same capability as limited slip and locking differentials.
What state/where are you off roading?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Looks like GLA has 4ETS. You're good to go from a traction point of view.
https://www.mbusa.com/content/dam/mb...A%20SUV_OM.pdf
Tire/wheel size will be a limiter. Large (softball-sized and larger) rocks should be avoided as wheel damage likely will occur.
Ground clearance will be a limiter. 5.3 inches isn't alot.
Duty cycle of the GLA 4MATIC system is hard to guess about. In other words, don't attempt 8 hours of continuous wheel slipping steep grade off roading. A little here and there will be fine.
Take photos on your expedition!
https://www.mbusa.com/content/dam/mb...A%20SUV_OM.pdf
Tire/wheel size will be a limiter. Large (softball-sized and larger) rocks should be avoided as wheel damage likely will occur.
Ground clearance will be a limiter. 5.3 inches isn't alot.
Duty cycle of the GLA 4MATIC system is hard to guess about. In other words, don't attempt 8 hours of continuous wheel slipping steep grade off roading. A little here and there will be fine.
Take photos on your expedition!
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1991 190E 2.3
Looks like GLA has 4ETS. You're good to go from a traction point of view.
https://www.mbusa.com/content/dam/mb...A%20SUV_OM.pdf
Tire/wheel size will be a limiter. Large (softball-sized and larger) rocks should be avoided as wheel damage likely will occur.
Ground clearance will be a limiter. 5.3 inches isn't alot.
Duty cycle of the GLA 4MATIC system is hard to guess about. In other words, don't attempt 8 hours of continuous wheel slipping steep grade off roading. A little here and there will be fine.
Take photos on your expedition!
https://www.mbusa.com/content/dam/mb...A%20SUV_OM.pdf
Tire/wheel size will be a limiter. Large (softball-sized and larger) rocks should be avoided as wheel damage likely will occur.
Ground clearance will be a limiter. 5.3 inches isn't alot.
Duty cycle of the GLA 4MATIC system is hard to guess about. In other words, don't attempt 8 hours of continuous wheel slipping steep grade off roading. A little here and there will be fine.
Take photos on your expedition!
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
The manual you posted the link for is MY 21. The OP's GLA is MY18. Not only is this 2 different model years, it's 2 different generations of GLAs so there are likely to be differences between the 2nd generation GLA and the OP's first generation GLA. The OP should follow the instructions in the owner's manual for the vehicle they actually own.
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1991 190E 2.3
@190Efan Hi there! Fully agree. What is the link to the OP’s model and year? Can you help him/her with this? Did you read the 2018 GLA manual while on MB’s site to confirm the faulty reference? Thanks in advance! What is your experience with 4ETS? How does it work?
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
I was just trying to help . The OP described their GLA as "new to me" so I assume that it's a first generation since the 2nd generation was new this year. I assume that the OP likely has the owner's manual for their specific vehicle so that's what they should go by. The GLA link you provided is for the 2nd generation and there are likely differences between the 2 generations.
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1991 190E 2.3
@190Efan Yes, of course. You are very clear about this. What did you learn to bring new information to the table about the OP’s vehicle and question? What did you read in the GLA manual about 4MATIC or 4ETS? Are you familiar with 4ETS?
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GLA250
I changed to 17" rims and very slightly larger tires than what is recommended for 17" (225/60 R17) with Falken AT tires. With that setup, my GLA does great on dirt roads, and the traction control is great on these crushed-shale fire roads that connect towns and pavement in the Appalachian ranges where I drive sometimes. So, while I don't hesitate to do "off pavement" I would never do anything truly off-road or even the more serious forest roads that we've tackled just fine in my husband's (modified suspension) Toyota FJ Cruiser. Now THAT thing is made for real off-road! The GLA really doesn't have much ground clearance, so you wouldn't want to take on anything with large holes in the road or deep/rocky water fords. I cannot even fathom how expensive the tow-out or the repairs could be...
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2017 GLA250 4MATIC, 2020 GLE450, 2021 GLE350, 2020 SL450, 2020 GLC300
Just had a once in thirty-year snowstorm up in Canada (quite literally 4.5 feet of snow). My X156 GLA ('17, fully loaded (every option), 4MATIC) was the only one of my cars to make it through the snow, and this includes a GLE450 (without E-ACTIVE albeit), and a GLC300. While my work truck ('17 Ford F-150 Heavy Duty) did eventually make it out, the GLA surprisingly did better than it. Know your limits and the car should be great!
