tires
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 2
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From: Los Angeles
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
Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 138
Likes: 15
From: Loen, Norway
2009 GLK 220 cdi
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 422
Likes: 61
From: South East US.
2015 GLK350
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.
Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 138
Likes: 15
From: Loen, Norway
2009 GLK 220 cdi
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...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,602
Likes: 347
2013 glk 350
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 .
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 422
Likes: 61
From: South East US.
2015 GLK350
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; Jun 23, 2019 at 07:55 PM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 319
From: WI
GLK 250
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.
Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 138
Likes: 15
From: Loen, Norway
2009 GLK 220 cdi
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 319
From: WI
GLK 250
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.
