4 matic salesman tries to sell me 4 tires
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Joined: Sep 2015
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2013 glk 350
4 matic salesman tries to sell me 4 tires
I’ve repeatedly heard from tire salesman and car dealers “it is recommended to replace all 4 tires when replacing one so as not to damage the 4wd system, as the new tread depth will rotate at a different speed which will make one differential work harder. “ I think this is just sales BS. I don’t believe the extra tread thickness will make a difference. All I see in my MB Manual is to be sure to use the same size tire or the Suspension could be damaged . I can’t find MB stating you can’t replace one tire. Due to the design of the differentials, they freely rotate going around corners , is another reason I don’t believe this. If the differential was locked , then yes this would be an issue. But 4matic does not have locking differentials.
I think the tire salesman and dealers just have a way to make you spend 4x more by making up a story.
Pg 328 of the Glk manual had all I could find on replacing tires and warnings
If there is an issue with old and new tires there has to be an exact RPM of the tire and tread difference that will affect the NON locking differential. And how could it affect the non locking differential when going around corners is completely safe ?
I think the tire salesman and dealers just have a way to make you spend 4x more by making up a story.
Pg 328 of the Glk manual had all I could find on replacing tires and warnings
If there is an issue with old and new tires there has to be an exact RPM of the tire and tread difference that will affect the NON locking differential. And how could it affect the non locking differential when going around corners is completely safe ?
Last edited by Mmr1; Aug 22, 2022 at 09:30 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 281
From: South Texas
2014 GLK350 base model (active) ; 2001 E320 base (retired); 2001 Wrangler soft-top
Wish I had a definitive and factually documented answer.
I'm sure the "Subaru" folks will be along to state their documents state all four should be replaced 😁
All I can say is, do extensive internet research and / or contact a well established vehicle (mechanically technical) resource for an explanation. Or contact MBUSA for guidance.
Personally, if I had a catastrophic failure of one tire, and if there was lots of mileage of the two tires on that same axle, I'd replace both.
We have a Jeep Wrangler, which I bought 4 new tires for. 5 thousand miles later, the LR had a catastrophic failure (puncture in outer sidewall). I replaced that single tire with a new one. No issues 10k miles later.
YMMV as they say 👍
I'm sure the "Subaru" folks will be along to state their documents state all four should be replaced 😁
All I can say is, do extensive internet research and / or contact a well established vehicle (mechanically technical) resource for an explanation. Or contact MBUSA for guidance.
Personally, if I had a catastrophic failure of one tire, and if there was lots of mileage of the two tires on that same axle, I'd replace both.
We have a Jeep Wrangler, which I bought 4 new tires for. 5 thousand miles later, the LR had a catastrophic failure (puncture in outer sidewall). I replaced that single tire with a new one. No issues 10k miles later.
YMMV as they say 👍
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,585
Likes: 343
2013 glk 350
Yes something isn’t right , Costco would only sell me 4, not one or two, and sent me home with an active 4lb an hour leak. I told them to fill the tires to 38, they filled them to 43-44. I did have an argument with the tire boss years ago , they overinflated my tires to 45 and put the new tires on the rear, they were not supposed to. I think this is my payback
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 281
From: South Texas
2014 GLK350 base model (active) ; 2001 E320 base (retired); 2001 Wrangler soft-top
I ALWAYS refer to the tire placard at the driver's side door-jam. Guess what? I've been filling the INCORRECT amount of air in our 2014.
Recently, I had all 4 tires replaced... obviously the tire store folks read the driver's door-jam sticker.
Turns out that sticker lists tire pressure for MAX load
There's a second sticker on the inside of the fuel filler flap. The tire pressures listed there are for "normal" loads.
BIG difference in the pressures listed on the door-jam compared to the filler flap. I NEVER noticed the filler flap sticker until recently
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,780
Likes: 115
From: Northern NJ
GLK 350 / Porsche 993
I’ve repeatedly heard from tire salesman and car dealers “it is recommended to replace all 4 tires when replacing one so as not to damage the 4wd system, as the new tread depth will rotate at a different speed which will make one differential work harder. “ I think this is just sales BS. I don’t believe the extra tread thickness will make a difference. All I see in my MB Manual is to be sure to use the same size tire or the Suspension could be damaged . I can’t find MB stating you can’t replace one tire. Due to the design of the differentials, they freely rotate going around corners , is another reason I don’t believe this. If the differential was locked , then yes this would be an issue. But 4matic does not have locking differentials.
I think the tire salesman and dealers just have a way to make you spend 4x more by making up a story.
Pg 328 of the Glk manual had all I could find on replacing tires and warnings
If there is an issue with old and new tires there has to be an exact RPM of the tire and tread difference that will affect the NON locking differential. And how could it affect the non locking differential when going around corners is completely safe ?
I think the tire salesman and dealers just have a way to make you spend 4x more by making up a story.
Pg 328 of the Glk manual had all I could find on replacing tires and warnings
If there is an issue with old and new tires there has to be an exact RPM of the tire and tread difference that will affect the NON locking differential. And how could it affect the non locking differential when going around corners is completely safe ?
Too many ppl ready to part with their money leads to this...what else is new. On a serious note, If you have a puncture you can simply patch the tire (they take tire off the rim and apply the patch on the inside). Never plug new tires.
Second, if you have a slow leak, it maybe due to other things - leaky valve stem or cracked rim.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,585
Likes: 343
2013 glk 350
Yes the gas cap filler door rating is more appropriate, and logical . But Costco exceeded this by 5-7lb and I requested 8 lb less ! Costco refused me and then lied on my sales sheet
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 57
Likes: 4
From: DFW, Texas
GLK350 4Matic
If it's under warranty, ask your MB service manager and get it in writing. If it's out of warranty, why are you even asking? Just do whatever you want...seems simple to me.
Go to a local tire shop, there are always some good Hispanic guys around town and I've never had one of them tell me I need to do anything. They just want my business and I want new tires, it's a win win.
Go to a local tire shop, there are always some good Hispanic guys around town and I've never had one of them tell me I need to do anything. They just want my business and I want new tires, it's a win win.
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