Loose steering anyone?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2009
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GLK
Loose steering anyone?
Hello,
I have a quick question about the steering on the GLK. I seem to feel that the steering has gotten looser over time. Specifically, the looseness is when the steering wheel is around the center. When driving on the highway, the steering around the center is loose and when I turn side to side slightly, the reaction of the steering and slight direction change of the car is rather slow.
When on the left most lane of the highway, I have to hold the steering wheel slightly to the right. When on the right most lane, I have to hold the steering slightly to the left.
I feel it is a degrading alignment. But again, I may be hyper sensitive.
What are your experiences regarding steering on the highway?
Let me know.
Regards.
I have a quick question about the steering on the GLK. I seem to feel that the steering has gotten looser over time. Specifically, the looseness is when the steering wheel is around the center. When driving on the highway, the steering around the center is loose and when I turn side to side slightly, the reaction of the steering and slight direction change of the car is rather slow.
When on the left most lane of the highway, I have to hold the steering wheel slightly to the right. When on the right most lane, I have to hold the steering slightly to the left.
I feel it is a degrading alignment. But again, I may be hyper sensitive.
What are your experiences regarding steering on the highway?
Let me know.
Regards.
Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 106
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From: Houston, TX
GLK350 4MATIC
I'm no expert but roads are sloped to the left and right to allow water to drain from the road. Depending on the slope you might notice a slight waiver to the left or right depending which side of the road you're on. I certainly can't go far "no hands" without some slight correction.
So far, no looseness to the steering though after 2600 miles.
So far, no looseness to the steering though after 2600 miles.
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From: Northern NJ
GLK 350 / Porsche 993
Also keep in mind that steering acts different at different speed as GLK has speed sensitive steering. The faster you go the slower the reaction to steering input is. The point above about slopping road can also be valid.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Denver, CO
2010 GLK350 4MATIC
I have noticed on certain roads that I experience some less than ideal steering behavior, but then I change lanes and it goes away...
Let's hope the stimulus money goes to repaving roads around the country, we desperately need here in Colorado...
Let's hope the stimulus money goes to repaving roads around the country, we desperately need here in Colorado...
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2009
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GLK
Took me a while to get back, here. But it turned out to be my tire pressure on all four wheels! I was about 3 to 4 psi too low on each wheel.
So check your tire pressue at least every couple of weeks to maintain safety and performance.
So check your tire pressue at least every couple of weeks to maintain safety and performance.
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Super Member
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From: nyc
528i, GLK
tire pressure monitor didn't pick this up?
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From: Northern NJ
GLK 350 / Porsche 993
I guess 3-4psi is not enough of a change to result in a warning.
My guess is that MB's new "advanced" monitoring system actually shows tire pressure in all 4 wheels, which is much more usefull as standard one doesn't work in winter I believe.
I have 300 mile trip coming up, I'll make sure to check tire pressure before going.
When checking pressure make sure tires are cold, as after driving tire pressure will be much higher, which is perfectly normal.
My guess is that MB's new "advanced" monitoring system actually shows tire pressure in all 4 wheels, which is much more usefull as standard one doesn't work in winter I believe.
I have 300 mile trip coming up, I'll make sure to check tire pressure before going.
When checking pressure make sure tires are cold, as after driving tire pressure will be much higher, which is perfectly normal.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2009
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GLK
Agreed - check your tires when they are cold. I do them on the weekend in the morning before I take off.
A little more detail, I followed what was between the door panels and the gas door -35psi for fronts and 39psi for rears.
After fixing the tire pressure, I tell you, there was a night vs. day difference, confident steering, stability and control over bumps and around hard turns. It was to the point where going faster made it even better and smoother - nice.
This was where I appreciated the fact that Mercedes Benz found the best of both worlds, i.e., a good balance between luxurious and comfortable vs. performance.
A little more detail, I followed what was between the door panels and the gas door -35psi for fronts and 39psi for rears.
After fixing the tire pressure, I tell you, there was a night vs. day difference, confident steering, stability and control over bumps and around hard turns. It was to the point where going faster made it even better and smoother - nice.
This was where I appreciated the fact that Mercedes Benz found the best of both worlds, i.e., a good balance between luxurious and comfortable vs. performance.
Last edited by dmercado; Jun 29, 2009 at 10:58 PM. Reason: typo
Super Member
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From: Mississauga, ON
GLK 350
I guess 3-4psi is not enough of a change to result in a warning.
My guess is that MB's new "advanced" monitoring system actually shows tire pressure in all 4 wheels, which is much more usefull as standard one doesn't work in winter I believe.
I have 300 mile trip coming up, I'll make sure to check tire pressure before going.
When checking pressure make sure tires are cold, as after driving tire pressure will be much higher, which is perfectly normal.
My guess is that MB's new "advanced" monitoring system actually shows tire pressure in all 4 wheels, which is much more usefull as standard one doesn't work in winter I believe.
I have 300 mile trip coming up, I'll make sure to check tire pressure before going.
When checking pressure make sure tires are cold, as after driving tire pressure will be much higher, which is perfectly normal.
I dont agree with you here, the tire pressure should have picked it up. 3-4 psi is big. In my current car anything below 2 psi is picked up immediately...
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From: Mississauga, ON
GLK 350
Agreed - check your tires when they are cold. I do them on the weekend in the morning before I take off.
A little more detail, I followed what was between the door panels and the gas door -35psi for fronts and 39psi for rears.
After fixing the tire pressure, I tell you, there was a night vs. day difference, confident steering, stability and control over bumps and around hard turns. It was to the point where going faster made it even better and smoother - nice.
This was where I appreciated the fact that Mercedes Benz found the best of both worlds, i.e., a good balance between luxurious and comfortable vs. performance.
A little more detail, I followed what was between the door panels and the gas door -35psi for fronts and 39psi for rears.
After fixing the tire pressure, I tell you, there was a night vs. day difference, confident steering, stability and control over bumps and around hard turns. It was to the point where going faster made it even better and smoother - nice.
This was where I appreciated the fact that Mercedes Benz found the best of both worlds, i.e., a good balance between luxurious and comfortable vs. performance.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 17
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GLK
Dealer did not fill tires at the recommended psi - really.
When we first received the vehicle, over a couple of months ago, I did not check the pressure for about a week and a half because I trusted the dealer - especially a benz dealer. However, after checking, all tires were at 44 psi (cold tire pressure)!!!!!
So I deflated them to the recommended psi - front and rear.
I let a month pass and felt a slight degradation over time, suspension felt softer, easily compromised by bumps, loose steering etc. Checked the psi and it was off by about 3psi - maybe 3 and a half psi.
After adjusting that, it was great.
At the end of the day, living in Toronto, the weather was so unpredictable moving from one extreme temperature to the other - I am sure the psi in the tires were affected by this.
As for the oringinal 44 psi measurement from the dealership - who knows! I figured that they did not check and put that to the proper pressure the day I picked up the GLK.
Don
When we first received the vehicle, over a couple of months ago, I did not check the pressure for about a week and a half because I trusted the dealer - especially a benz dealer. However, after checking, all tires were at 44 psi (cold tire pressure)!!!!!
So I deflated them to the recommended psi - front and rear.
I let a month pass and felt a slight degradation over time, suspension felt softer, easily compromised by bumps, loose steering etc. Checked the psi and it was off by about 3psi - maybe 3 and a half psi.
After adjusting that, it was great.
At the end of the day, living in Toronto, the weather was so unpredictable moving from one extreme temperature to the other - I am sure the psi in the tires were affected by this.
As for the oringinal 44 psi measurement from the dealership - who knows! I figured that they did not check and put that to the proper pressure the day I picked up the GLK.
Don
Last edited by dmercado; Jun 29, 2009 at 11:43 PM.
Newbie
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From: Northern Virginia
lots
You are, of course, using nitrogen fills when airing up the tires, not plain air from a compressor, yes? The TPS sensors in the wheels will eventually corrode internally if you mix the two - though you won't see it occur for 12 to 18 months.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: nyc
528i, GLK
a quick test to tire monitoring is to inflat to proper setting, reset tire pressure monitor to current. deflate. Then see at what psi lost would the monitor pick it up.
i have a flow master, guess i'll try over the weekend and report back.
i have a flow master, guess i'll try over the weekend and report back.
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From: Germany
M-B GLE, Porsche 911 Turbo, Porsche Boxster (spouse)
I borrowed an Owner's Manual from my dealer to read before picking mine up toward the end of July and don't recall seeing anything about any tire fill restrictions. Could have missed it though since I only had the book overnight. So are you saying the tire-pressure sensors require the tires to be filled with moisture-free nitrogen? I seem to recall a sign in the service area of the dealership promoting nitrogen as an option, not a requirement. I know it's optional on my other two cars; albeit, recommended (for increased dealer profit?). I use nitrogen in their tires but quite frankly, I've never seen any tangible ride nor performance benefits. Maybe for someone who rarely checks tire pressures. Track benefits sure, but I don't push mine to the absolute limits.
BTW, slightly off topic, are MB manuals available for online downloading?
Last edited by MB_Owner; Jun 30, 2009 at 02:10 AM.
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GLK 350 / Porsche 993
Newbie
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2009 GLK
You guys are using nitrogen, right? If not, no wonder you're having trouble.
My local shop does "pure" nitrogen fill-ups at only $20 per tire. Worth every penny.
All the advertising they're doing on tv for nitrogen is EPA funded as part of a green initiative, you get better mpg and longer tire life, like 30% or more and your warranty is still valid.
My local shop does "pure" nitrogen fill-ups at only $20 per tire. Worth every penny.
All the advertising they're doing on tv for nitrogen is EPA funded as part of a green initiative, you get better mpg and longer tire life, like 30% or more and your warranty is still valid.
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From: Northern NJ
GLK 350 / Porsche 993
What's so great about it and how does it increase mileage. I thought the only benefit of nitrogen is that it doesn't escape the tires and doesn't fluctuate in volume. If I just make sure my tires are properly inflated this should make no difference. I think nitrogen is just more convenient. Feel free to correct me cuz I haven't read anything on this subject.
