Last straw.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 308
Likes: 4
From: Tennessee, USA
Red GLK350, blue '87 Toyota Land Cruiser
Last straw.
I've put up with the terribly designed heat/AC controls on the floor with their little red lights and light up icons that are invisible in the sun. I've nearly had several accidents trying to see them on a sunny day. I've put up with probably the only car sold in the US without front window/ windshield tinting. Pulled into my yard today the same way I have for the past 14 years. Stopped to look at something on a completely level patch of lawn. Went to move, no go. The stupid piece of crap is stuck on the level in maybe 1/4 inch of soft ground covered with grass. Pirelli tires, 15000 miles. Absolutely no excuse for this. Thank God I don't live in snow country anymore. At my age I fully expected this thing to be the last car I'll ever buy. If I can get it out it's off to local non-MB dealers.
Now I know why it comes with built-in tow hooks front and rear.
Now I know why it comes with built-in tow hooks front and rear.
Last edited by 420tee; Jan 10, 2014 at 05:35 PM.
Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 137
Likes: 3
From: Denver, CO
2013 GLK 350 4Matic
I've put up with the terribly designed heat/AC controls on the floor with their little red lights and light up icons that are invisible in the sun. I've nearly had several accidents trying to see them on a sunny day. I've put up with probably the only car sold in the US without front window/ windshield tinting. Pulled into my yard today the same way I have for the past 14 years. Stopped to look at something on a completely level patch of lawn. Went to move, no go. The stupid piece of crap is stuck on the level in maybe 1/4 inch of soft ground covered with grass. Pirelli tires, 15000 miles. Absolutely no excuse for this. Thank God I don't live in snow country anymore. At my age I fully expected this thing to be the last car I'll ever buy. If I can get it out it's off to local non-MB dealers.
Now I know why it comes with built-in tow hooks front and rear.
Now I know why it comes with built-in tow hooks front and rear.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 323
Likes: 31
From: Ottawa ON Canada
2015 ML350 Bluetec
Take your foot off the brake!!!!
heheh!
Sorry, couldn't resist... hope you feel better with it after venting! All cars have their headaches...
heheh!Sorry, couldn't resist... hope you feel better with it after venting! All cars have their headaches...
Last edited by Koenig1; Jan 10, 2014 at 07:04 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 308
Likes: 4
From: Tennessee, USA
Red GLK350, blue '87 Toyota Land Cruiser
Actually dragging the brake is a technique to help get out of a wheel spin situation. Did not work. I lived and drove in norther US snow country for 50+ years. Never expected to get stuck in my own front yard in 1/4" of soft soil. Ridiculous.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,119
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'13 GLK350 4matic,'10 C207,'15 GLA250,'07 Honda Odyssey, '18 GLE 43, '24 EQS 580
I remember seeing a video of a GL getting stock on a level ground with a little soft, muddy soil and that has 4matic on it. It just spins it's wheels and won't move.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2012
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Likes: 1,117
A gaggle of MB's
Did you "try" disabling ETS ? In a RWD GLK - in the even you need to rear tires to go to "spin" - like soft surface - you might try that, and rock back-n-forth.
If you need your front windows tinted - like about $70 - give it a whirl..
If you need your front windows tinted - like about $70 - give it a whirl..
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 265
Likes: 4
From: New York
2015 GLA250 4MATIC
It sounds like you have 20 inch wheels and I have the same tires, with RWD, if the grass was a little moist, it probably would get stuck if you didn't have a 4matic. I had front wheel Volvo C30 with 19's and I was pushing it out every other block getting home after some snow.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 323
Likes: 31
From: Ottawa ON Canada
2015 ML350 Bluetec
I'm shocked.... I have a 4matic and a very steep driveway at the cottage... Arrived at the cottage today, drove down on sheet ice, has never been a better vehicle!!! My last Murano locked in 4 wheel still slipped whereas the 4matic has never failed. My son & I have tried to get it to slip/fail... hasn't yet! Hope that '420tee' will find some good feeling with his..!
Hey... pulled the snowmobile out of the garage, made it 90% to the top of the hill, then slid back down (out of control)... this is no slouch(sp) 2009 Yamaha
the hill is a PITA, and the 4matic laughs it off!!!
Hey... pulled the snowmobile out of the garage, made it 90% to the top of the hill, then slid back down (out of control)... this is no slouch(sp) 2009 Yamaha
the hill is a PITA, and the 4matic laughs it off!!!
Last edited by Koenig1; Jan 10, 2014 at 11:29 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 308
Likes: 4
From: Tennessee, USA
Red GLK350, blue '87 Toyota Land Cruiser
It sounds like you have 20 inch wheels and I have the same tires, with RWD, if the grass was a little moist, it probably would get stuck if you didn't have a 4matic. I had front wheel Volvo C30 with 19's and I was pushing it out every other block getting home after some snow.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 308
Likes: 4
From: Tennessee, USA
Red GLK350, blue '87 Toyota Land Cruiser
I thought of giving the ETS a try. Too pissed yesterday to care.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 323
Likes: 31
From: Ottawa ON Canada
2015 ML350 Bluetec
You are right!!! I remember way back when, driving 2 wheel drive full size vans and adding some parking brake did take care of 1 wheel spinning on ice...
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 308
Likes: 4
From: Tennessee, USA
Red GLK350, blue '87 Toyota Land Cruiser
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 308
Likes: 4
From: Tennessee, USA
Red GLK350, blue '87 Toyota Land Cruiser
Success !
Tried ETS off, NG, Tried starting in 3rd gear, NG. Final solution, my 25 year old Dodge 4WD pickup with nearly bald tires. Pulled both and never slipped a wheel. I recommend anyone with a GLK who might ever consider driving across perfectly level but slightly damp grass invest in a 4WD something first.
Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 137
Likes: 3
From: Denver, CO
2013 GLK 350 4Matic
Tried ETS off, NG, Tried starting in 3rd gear, NG. Final solution, my 25 year old Dodge 4WD pickup with nearly bald tires. Pulled both and never slipped a wheel. I recommend anyone with a GLK who might ever consider driving across perfectly level but slightly damp grass invest in a 4WD something first.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 308
Likes: 4
From: Tennessee, USA
Red GLK350, blue '87 Toyota Land Cruiser
See post #7 above. Maybe, or probably the problem is more the tires than the car. They didn't give the slightest hint of traction, just like being on a sheet of wet ice. They didn't even throw up a roostertail of wet mud when spinning.
Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
From: Ontario, Canada
GLK 350
Yikes - glad I have the 4matic. With snow tires on, my GLK drives like a tank. I purposely go driving down un-plowed roads just to see if I can get stuck. So far, it has never even hinted that it might get stuck.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 47
Likes: 3
From: Calgary AB
'02 VW Golf TDI, '13 GLK 250
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 910
Likes: 0
From: North Scottsdale
06 C 350 2014 GLK350
[QUOTE=420tee;5902928]I've put up with the terribly designed heat/AC controls on the floor with their little red lights and light up icons that are invisible in the sun. I've nearly had several accidents trying to see them on a sunny day.
I don't understand the problem if you car is like mine. Whenever I turn the temperature controls, the temperature settings are displayed on the lower left and right corners on the Command display. I never attempt to look down to see where the temperature wheels are set.
JB
I don't understand the problem if you car is like mine. Whenever I turn the temperature controls, the temperature settings are displayed on the lower left and right corners on the Command display. I never attempt to look down to see where the temperature wheels are set.
JB
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 308
Likes: 4
From: Tennessee, USA
Red GLK350, blue '87 Toyota Land Cruiser
[QUOTE=MB-JIM;5904090]
Not on mine. It's a 2011. Obviously MB recognized the dangerous situation they created and improved it. With sun coming in the side windows it's just a guessing game as to how the controls, temp, fan, A/C, etc. are set and being darm near on the floor trying to see them creates a potential accident.
I've put up with the terribly designed heat/AC controls on the floor with their little red lights and light up icons that are invisible in the sun. I've nearly had several accidents trying to see them on a sunny day.
I don't understand the problem if you car is like mine. Whenever I turn the temperature controls, the temperature settings are displayed on the lower left and right corners on the Command display. I never attempt to look down to see where the temperature wheels are set.
JB
I don't understand the problem if you car is like mine. Whenever I turn the temperature controls, the temperature settings are displayed on the lower left and right corners on the Command display. I never attempt to look down to see where the temperature wheels are set.
JB
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: East Cost
2011BMW Z4 IS, 2011 Ford Raptor, 2010 GLK
Did you test drive the car before you bought it? The ergonomics are not the best with HVAC controls poorly positioned. This is something you should have noticed from day #1 and if it bothered you, why buy the SUV?
The GLK is still just a c-class and even with 4-matic is not a 4x4 vehicle. Reading your description of what happened I agree with others that this is likely the tires not giving you traction and your model being RWD.
This is not a GLK design issue. The GLK is not an offroad vehicle and does not pretend to be. Perhaps a Jeep, Range Rover, or 4x4 pick up would better serve your needs. A cheaper solution would be to outfit the GLK with better tires but most of the tire options are poor. Perhaps the The Scorpion Verde or Yokohama’s AVID Ascend would work.
The GLK is still just a c-class and even with 4-matic is not a 4x4 vehicle. Reading your description of what happened I agree with others that this is likely the tires not giving you traction and your model being RWD.
This is not a GLK design issue. The GLK is not an offroad vehicle and does not pretend to be. Perhaps a Jeep, Range Rover, or 4x4 pick up would better serve your needs. A cheaper solution would be to outfit the GLK with better tires but most of the tire options are poor. Perhaps the The Scorpion Verde or Yokohama’s AVID Ascend would work.
Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
From: Ontario, Canada
GLK 350
2 days ago I got stuck with my GLK and thought I was in trouble. I pulled down a country lane (road was covered with snow) and pulled slightly to the right in preparation to turn around. Next thing I knew the entire right side of the car went down into the ditch.
After my kids and I calmed down, I turned off traction control, put the car in S mode and started rocking. Eventually the GLK pulled out of the ditch. My kids and I were quite elated.
Upon turning around and inspecting the site, the entire right side had gone down so far that the bottom of the GLK was hitting around and I could see grass where the body of the car was.
So the GLK might not be a a true off-road suv, with the 4 Matic and General Tire Altimax Arctic tires it saved me for sure!
After my kids and I calmed down, I turned off traction control, put the car in S mode and started rocking. Eventually the GLK pulled out of the ditch. My kids and I were quite elated.
Upon turning around and inspecting the site, the entire right side had gone down so far that the bottom of the GLK was hitting around and I could see grass where the body of the car was.
So the GLK might not be a a true off-road suv, with the 4 Matic and General Tire Altimax Arctic tires it saved me for sure!
