JackSheng

Hey guys, my 2016 GLE350 4Matic had two blown tires, with under 5000 mileages. Apparently I might have hit a big pothole that punctured the sidewall of both left tires. As I was in a big rush, so I got into a nearby shop to put on the spare as well as a replacement tire (Firestone brand). Now that I am shopping for a replacement tire in place of the spare, I have been told that I should have used the same tires for all 4 wheels due to the 4Matic system. However, the original tire on my car was "Continental CrossContact LX Sport" which seems to be discontinued by the tire manufacturer so no shops sell them anymore. My questions are,
1. Is it true that for 4Matic system that all four tires should be exactly the same or is this just a sales pitch?
2. If I could not find exact same tire as original tire ("Continental CrossContact LX Sport"), I could find some other tire of the same brand, size and speed rating such as "Continental CrossContact LX20" (http://www.continentaltire.com/produ...5550r19-107h/?), would there be any concern with using these tires?
3. Given that my car only have less than 5000 miles, would it be okay that I keep the 2 good tires, and just replace the two blown tires?

RA112623

pretty sure it's same tires all around regardless of front/rear/allwheel drive. best thing i've come up with is buy a pair of as close to original tread (mfg should be able to give a close replacement model) and put both new ones on front and older on rear. i don't rotate tires, but you will have to mention not to in the future. good luck, ron

Isawelvis

Biggest issue is keeping the same size tire and type, i.e. radial, ..Tires should match on the axle, i.e. front tires same brand and rear tires should be the same brand. If you do want to match them up, i.e. the factory Contis check tire rack or one of the online tire shops. They can ship them to a local tire retailer and you pay to have them put on.

AS705

Reputable tire shops will advise to not mix tire types/brands. The next best is what Isawelvis outlines above although not ideal.

You don't mention if you tried to get replacement tires at your dealer or whether your inquired about road hazard coverage for the damaged tires. It may be worth checking if you haven't already. IMHO. Good luck. Hopefully your wheels were not damaged.

JackSheng

Thanks for the information. How do I check if two tires have close enough tread? Sorry I am new here so don't know what "mfg" is ...

JackSheng

The original tires on my vehicle was as follows: Continental Cross Contact LX Sport, 255 50R19 107H. Which part of this specification is what you refer to as "size and type, ... radial ...". I did check the online shop but they do not seem to carry this particular model any more ... and I assume that there must be compatible ones so wondering how to check and confirm ...

JackSheng

I did reach out to the dealership from which I bought the vehicle, but it's weekend so I won't get any feedback until tmr. How do I check if my wheels are damaged?

RA112623

i check directly with the tire mfg specialists. they usually have a designated replacement model that they are able to identify as close to original as could be. ron

JackSheng

Sorry what's tire mfg specialist? Is there webpage for me to refer to?

RA112623

sorry, i mean which ever company manufactured the tires. you may find cross reference info on the company site, but i have the dealer contact directly or i make a call to the company support phoneline. so far i've been pleased with the responses i received. ron

JackSheng

Thanks in that case I will reach out to Continental as well as my dealer to see if they could provide some advice.

Isawelvis

I had posted a comment earlier about making sure you had the same tires on each axle. I just found in my 2015 ML350 owners manual these words, page 312 on changing wheels . Under WARNING "Rotate wheels and tires only if they are the same dimensions"

lakshkalra

Why don't you rotate tires?

RHeller1

If the size is the same on all the tires, you will be just fine

mjhawkins2346

The 4Matic system senses tire rotational speed which is affected by diameter so new tires could roll slightly more slowly due to larger diameter - more tread. This could cause problems with the system working right. You really should look to get the same matching tires and not experiment with different brands or ratings. The Tire Rack people or your local shop might give you useful advice. I had the exact same thing happen to my '16 GLE300d but instead of the left, I lost both right-side tires with torn sidewalls. It made me pretty mad. The local tire shop checked around and found some new identical tires within a 32nd of my remaining tires so I was good. The other choices would have been to have the new tires shaved down to match or 4 new tires. The OP asked about rotation and you could - just front to back not across because many of these tires want to rotate one way only. If you have different sizes on the front and back - probably AMG spec'd cars and not a more ordinary offering like mine, might have wider tires in the rear. Then no rotation...

SUV John

From the original post from 2016 I'm sure tire rotation was being done as recommended. Shortly after I bought mine, I had a non-repairable tire that was replaced at the dealership. They assured me that even though I had to pay to replace a tire that had close to 4000 miles on it, there is a level of wear that is considered negligible when determining what tires should also be replaced. Honest tire shops will tell a person what needs to actually be done.

chassis

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4Matic#Fourth_Generation
https://media.daimler.com/marsMediaS...ml?oid=9904309
https://www.mbusa.com/en/best-or-nothing/4MATIC



The articles above give the impression that the W166 4MATIC system uses three open differentials. This means there is no torque transfer, due to the driveline mechanical components, when a wheel speed difference is present. So, strictly speaking, 4MATIC on the W166 is insensitive to tire diameter and resulting wheel speed difference.

ABS, ESP and TCS are different animals, and can detect small differences in wheel speed. How the software reacts/doesn't react, and whether or not error codes are displayed, or not, needs someone with first hand experience to weigh in.

Roni07

I got a flat tire (Pirelli Scorpion Verde 20”) and had to have roadside come and change my tire and put on the spare one. The tire was ripped on the inside. I brought the car in the MB shop and was told by the Tire Specialist that all 3 tires (4th one was new) need to be replaced, as the inside of the tire is wearing off, which apparently caused my flat. I was told that the flat replacement won’t be covered under my Wheel and Tire warranty because the cause was “alignment”. So now I’m waiting in the shop for tire replacement and alignment for $1,276. All 3 tires were ripping, backside, at the corner, where the back wall meets the top tire tread. I’ve never experienced Such a weird tire wear.

chassis

With your new tires, have them rotated at every oil change. Mercedes specifies more rear camber and toe than most manufacturers, and it leads to accelerated wear as you report.

I also recommend over inflating to 45psi cold. This evens the wear across the tire width.

Isawelvis

First, before I get the "stink' eye from everyone , below is what I use and the reason for how and why I rotate tires.

I have a 2015 ML350 which is almost the same as your car. I got over 41,000 miles on the original tires. I rotate them every 5000 miles ( twice between service) and always run 36 psi. I don't rely on the TPMS totally and try to manually check the pressure especially when it has turns cold. I also do not have them balanced just rotated. (IF there is no shimmy (out of balance) before you rotate them , then there shouldn't be one after they are rotated.

When I rotate the tires I do the cross rotation (even though Mercedes manual says not too, They also reference the tire manufacturer) Since the Mercedes is a rear wheel based 4 wheel drive system I do not used the same side method which is recommended for front wheel drive SUVs like Honda, Acura, Lexus, Toyota, Nissan).

The idea that you can't cross rotate radials is an old hold over from when they first came out . ( but YOU CANT CROSS ROTATE DIRECTIONAL TIRES THOUGH.) Also I think because I rotate them every 5,ooo miles solves the issue of tread belts getting set in one direction.

And for what its worth, my ML has over 60,000 and never had the front end aligned. I will do it when I see

I really think there is no hard and fast rule on how to rotate., but frequent rotation is a plus. Also every time you rotate, you get a good look at the tire wear.

See link to michelin below
https://www.michelinman.com/tireRotation.html

Roni07

yes, unfortunately the MB dealer doesn’t always rotate tires but says as”necessary” Most of the time they don’t. They are slacking if you ask me.
Im in south T.X and due to the heat, I always worry about my tires heating up too much and expanding too much, could lead to blown tires. Is 45psi not too much? Mine are usually at 33psi and go up to 38psi when on the road.

Roni07

Thanks for the info. Do you rotate the tires yourself or pay a shop?
My alignment was bad at rear axle. Accosting to job sheet.

K-Mac

Yes, frustratingly only option after wearing down one edge is tire rotation !

W166 models there is only Toe “directional” adjustment OEM.

No front Camber or Caster to adjust tire contact angles, spread load more evenly to resolve costly, premature edge wear with
excess edge load/higher impact also leading to ruptured side walls.

Fast fit on vehicle without need for arm removal (bush extraction tool supplied)

There Is Camber adjustment on the rear, but many find insufficient.
Especially when other than “showroom height” conditions - day to day
commuting high cambered roads, wheel squat through load carrying or lowering, fitting wide profile tires, curb knocks etc…

We saw the need to design, manufacture a rear kit to double the existing adjustment range of Camber and Toe.
Simply replacing the 4 rear lower arm, highest wearing bushings. Fit without arm removal
(bush extraction tool supplied) P/N 504026 K $480

For the front (Camber and Caster) and 3 options:

P/N 504016-2J $380 (both sides)
This kit simply replaces the 4 “upper arm” inner bushings. Precise adjustment up to 1.5 degrees Positive or Negative.
More than enough to resolve premature tire wear issues .

P/N 504016 N $595. (Both sides)
This kit also replaces the 4 front “lower arm” bushings at the same time. Especially the 2 rear bushes which are subject
to premature failure and expensive for OEM replacements. Provides 2 degrees Positive or Negative
adjustment. Fit without arm removal (bush extraction tool supplied).

P/N 504016-1N $695 (Both sides)
Same as above but extra adjustment for example if vehicle is lowered to improve stability. Up to 2.75 degrees Positive or Negative extra Camber.

Delivery $40 one kit. $60. Front and Rear.

chassis

Isawelvis, who would take issues with what you wrote, and why? The stink eye comment makes no sense to me.

Roni07, dealers don’t rotate tires because the manufacturer does not specify it. You as the educated consumer need to specifically add this to the list of work to be performed when you come in for an oil change. This is what I do.

BMW dealers are the same way. My experience is that even when it is requested they don’t do the work, because “it wasn’t needed.”

Roni07

Tire Rotation is listed as part of the MB maintenance, however lazy dealer mechanics are not doing it. I’ve sent a letter to MB HQ about this. Unacceptable.
if I’m paying you A-$300 or B-$600 for service , you’d better do it. Because that’s what happened to me, my tires ripped along the inside wall, as the person explained it above, it’s common for 4-Matic system. I’m tired of hearing excuses about anything, I’m paying lots of money to have my vehicle maintained by the dealer . It’s called preventive. Otherwise you’ll end up with what I had, ripped tires. I blame the dealer for that. They are the ones looking under the vehicle checking things out. I can’t see that. If I could . I wouldn’t be paying you $300 to look. The issue is pure laziness, we hear it everyday oh so and so didn’t do a good job because he’s only laid minimum wage or not enough wage. Enough. Either do a good job or don’t bother doing it.
that’s why we are in this predicament with low MB quality vehicles (same goes for BMW). I know from experience living in EU MB and BMW were absolutely impeccable built vehicless in Germany by Germans. Never heard of issues or problems. They have such a good reputation for commitment to quality. What do we have nowadays, vehicles built everywhere, no quality control, shoddy workmanship and lots of $$!for maintenance and repair and all we hear is excuses excuses excuses. Next time the dealer does a shoddy work, I will be paying only a percentage of my bill according to what was done ✅ right.