tires
06-21-2019, 10:41 PM
#1
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glk350 s550
tires
I need new rear tires and discovered the previous owner installed larger tires than recommended.
Car calls for 235 50 R19 The tires on the are are 255 50 R19 107V. I know all tires must be identical so should I return to the original size or keep the larger width tires?
Thank you
Carol H
Car calls for 235 50 R19 The tires on the are are 255 50 R19 107V. I know all tires must be identical so should I return to the original size or keep the larger width tires?
Thank you
Carol H
06-22-2019, 02:15 AM
#2
Member
06-22-2019, 03:29 PM
#4
Senior Member
I have a stock rear wheel drive 2015 GLK350 with factory 19 inch wheels. My tires are 235/50/R19.
If you have 4matic then yes, you need to use the same tire size on all four wheels. With four wheel drive systems you can even cause damage over time by using tires with differing amounts of wear. That is - you should replace all four tires at the same time on four wheel drive instead of two at a time. If your GLK is not 4matic then you don't need to be concerned about this.
If you GLK is rear wheel drive then it is ok to have different sizes front and back. The previous owner probably did this trying for a more aggressive appearance. One of the issues with such a staggered setup is that you can no longer properly rotate your tires. Inability to rotate can lead to shorter tire live due to uneven wear that cannot be moderated by moving the tires around to balance the wear. If all four tires are the same size then any tire can be mounted on any position to facilitate rotation and longer tire life.
Are your wheels original equipment or aftermarket? If OEM then they are probably all the same width and offset. If they are aftermarket then width and offset may be different and they may not all fit correctly on the front. Wider wheels up front may rub the fender in turns. It the wheels are different then it may be cheaper in the long run to continue with the bigger size in the rear.
If your wheels are all original and all the same width then I recommend using the original 235/50/R19 on all four corners so you can rotate for longer tire life.
If you have 4matic then yes, you need to use the same tire size on all four wheels. With four wheel drive systems you can even cause damage over time by using tires with differing amounts of wear. That is - you should replace all four tires at the same time on four wheel drive instead of two at a time. If your GLK is not 4matic then you don't need to be concerned about this.
If you GLK is rear wheel drive then it is ok to have different sizes front and back. The previous owner probably did this trying for a more aggressive appearance. One of the issues with such a staggered setup is that you can no longer properly rotate your tires. Inability to rotate can lead to shorter tire live due to uneven wear that cannot be moderated by moving the tires around to balance the wear. If all four tires are the same size then any tire can be mounted on any position to facilitate rotation and longer tire life.
Are your wheels original equipment or aftermarket? If OEM then they are probably all the same width and offset. If they are aftermarket then width and offset may be different and they may not all fit correctly on the front. Wider wheels up front may rub the fender in turns. It the wheels are different then it may be cheaper in the long run to continue with the bigger size in the rear.
If your wheels are all original and all the same width then I recommend using the original 235/50/R19 on all four corners so you can rotate for longer tire life.
06-23-2019, 03:18 AM
#5
Member
All about tires depends on packets what you have...offroad packet can have 235/60/17 on front axle and 255/55/17 on rear axle...sport packet can have 235/50/19 front and 255/45/19 rear...GLK is very specific for this...I have offroad packet and have mixed tire size for summer tires and same size 225/65/17 for winter tires...no problem with anything and I already have 212 000 km on ODO...
06-23-2019, 10:55 AM
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
What does the manual say? Glk is all wheel drive with limited slip differential, it’s not 4wd that can have locked differentials and bind the drivetrain. Different size tires should not hurt anything as it’s a free floating system. The brakes are what make the system work so well, the tire that slips is braked .
06-23-2019, 07:51 PM
#7
Senior Member
What does the manual say? Glk is all wheel drive with limited slip differential, it’s not 4wd that can have locked differentials and bind the drivetrain. Different size tires should not hurt anything as it’s a free floating system. The brakes are what make the system work so well, the tire that slips is braked .
Last edited by formerjeepguy; 06-23-2019 at 07:55 PM.
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06-24-2019, 02:36 PM
#9
MBWorld Fanatic!
Stick to OEM size, that way you can properly rotate the tires as indicated.
235/50s if you have 19 inch rims. I'd suggest Michelin Premier LTXs, since that's what I run and they've been great so far.
235/50s if you have 19 inch rims. I'd suggest Michelin Premier LTXs, since that's what I run and they've been great so far.
06-24-2019, 03:14 PM
#10
Member
06-25-2019, 10:31 AM
#11
MBWorld Fanatic!
Diameter may be the same, but the extra width adds rolling resistance and even some aero drag. And if you rotate the tires as required, you'll have wider footprint up front which affects turning and braking. I say why bother?
Keep it OEM or 255/45s if you want wider, but use it all around.
Keep it OEM or 255/45s if you want wider, but use it all around.
