GLK 4Matic system performance
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GLK350
GLK 4Matic system performance
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?
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?
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 437
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From: Florida
2013 E550 Coupe
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
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4Matic
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 520
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From: Tromsø, 69° 41' N
2010 GLK 220CDI 4M BlueEFFICIENCY
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.
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Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Old Dominion
2015 VW GTI.S4; 2016 Audi Q3 Prestige
I looked @ youtube search & found that it does more than enough for the average person...
http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...56l575l3.2l5l0
http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...56l575l3.2l5l0
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 20
Nissan GT-R BE / '12 Ducati-1199 Panigale S / '12 C300-4M Loaded/GLK350-4M Loaded
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.
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.
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Joined: Jun 2011
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'13 GLK350 4matic,'10 C207,'15 GLA250,'07 Honda Odyssey, '18 GLE 43, '24 EQS 580
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.
Last edited by shotgun_banjo; Nov 18, 2011 at 02:39 AM.
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From: Northern NJ
GLK 350 / Porsche 993
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).
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.
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2013 Infiniti G37 Coupe; 2011 GLK 350 w/ Premium 1, Multimedia & Sport Appearance; I LOVE IT!
2011, 4matic, benz, compare, difference, differential, fishtailing, fourmatic, g37, glk, matic, mercades, performance, system, torsen, works
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