hanli0315

Can anybody here give me some education on how is the 4Matic system on GLK?
I know 4Matic is just a trade name of MB, different car/model has different set up. e.g. 4Matic on G55 obviously has all the center/front/back differentials, while 4Matic on GLK I think is all open and use ETS to do torque transferring. How is this system actually perform compare to, say AUDI Q5 with torsen differential, Acura MDX with Sh-AWD?

emdem

Everything you'll want to know about 4Matics - you'll have use "the internet" to make your own comparison against other vehicles...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4Matic

GLKKa2H

Quote:

Originally Posted by hanli0315

, while 4Matic on GLK I think is all open and use ETS to do torque transferring. How is this system actually perform compare to, say AUDI Q5 with torsen differential, Acura MDX with Sh-AWD?

In my opinion is the Torsen differential (Audi Quattro) different (and superior?) the other 4WD/AWD systems, whether they are named Haldex, SH-AWD, 4MATIC etc.

I see the Torsen differential as the only proactive - as the other systems are computer controlled in some way or another - delaying action/counteractions by millisecs.

Three articles to shed some light on how the 4MATIC and Torsen systems works:

New 4Matic and Electronic Traction System (ETS, 4ETS): http://web.archive.org/web/200804221...m/4x4/ets.html
(A little tricky this one - press "impatient" in lower right corner)

Mercedes-Benz M-Class 4ETS system: http://www.4x4abc.com/4ETS.html

The development of a differential for the improvement of traction control: http://www.torsen.com/files/Traction...ol_Article.pdf.

MBNA109

I looked @ youtube search & found that it does more than enough for the average person...
http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...56l575l3.2l5l0

MBRedux

Audi's [VAG] been at it for over 35 years....

shotgun_banjo

i don't know about the audis and bmws setup but i manage to test the 4matic a few hours ago as it started snowing here in british columbia .I was hitting 80kph on the highway and the car in front of me (i believe it was a infiniti g37) lost control and did a 360 on the freeway in front of me. I also started to loose traction (rear end started to fish tail) after seeing the car do that acrobatic move and I new that the 4matic started doing its job as i felt my the car slowed down and applied brakes on some of the wheels to keep the car straight (also the VSC yellow light was blinking like crazy). It really felt odd like someone was driving the car to keep it in control not like when you loose control on a icy road the steering wheel starts to float but on the GLK it felt secured and controlled. in any case I was really happy I paid the extra $2000 for the 4matic if not I might have plowed through that G37 and ended up in the hospital.

ble2716

Yep, it's that time of the year again.

Slow down, leave extra distance and put on snow tires.

NYCGLK

that has nothing to do with 4matic, that's called traction control.

The most important part of winter driving is tires. My 5 year old FWD toyota with proper winter tires was much more stable at high speeds on snow, I would be passing SUVs going 60mph. GLK with all-seasons doesn't compare. AWD only helps not to get stuck going up a hill, plowing through deep snow or taking off from a traffic light.

rmfnla

???