asc

As the title says, I'm hearing a loud crunch/grind noise from the wheels when I make a 90-degree turn shortly after starting up. Once the car is fully warmed, I don't hear it any more. A friend mentioned that her Audi does the same thing. Anyone else experiencing this? Is it related to cold wheel bearings or the AWD system? Thanks all.

bobblehead

Check for cv boots going bad.

what model year is your car and what mileage?

asc

It's brand new, 2023, 1100 miles...

bobblehead

You should bring it to dealer to figure out

zukmeister

What kind of tires are on it? If it's summer tires, they get super hard when it's cold outside and will make clunking and what it feels like skipping feeling when they're cold and you're turning at slow speed.

asc

This sound like what it is. Once everything warms up they stop doing it. I'll ask next time I'm at the dealer.

bobblehead

You are driving your summer tires in winter time. The summer is hard to begin with and the rubber compound will become even harder when temperature dips into the freezing.

asc

Just the stock tires, but yes that sounds like what it is. I'll keep an eye on it as the weather warms up. So far they've been good in the snow, so I don't see a reason to get two sets of tires just yet, but I guess we'll see as time goes by. Thanks guys!

zukmeister

Summer tires in cold are very dangerous. If you ever had to do a full emergency stop or try to avoid an accident by turning hard in less than desirable conditions you'd be in a lot of trouble.

asc

I'm never offroad or fully on snow like in that video. Roads are all plowed, etc. So I've been fine this winter with 4matic and stock R01 tires. What winter tires would you recommend for 2023 E63s? Thanks.

bobblehead

michelin pa5 ... but any winter tires will still be better/safer than summer in winter time.

asc

Hrm. I can't seem to find pa5s that fit the staggered setup on the 2023 E63s. And ideally I'd find a package with tires and wheels, make it easier to swap. But everything I'm seeing is in Canada (and I'm in NY). I'll keep looking. Thanks.

bobblehead

since winter is only a few more weeks left, just drive very carefully in the meantime and start looking next winter season for your winter tires.

asc

Yup, that's what I'm doing.

Keith66

Beyond snow and traction, driving on summer tires below 40 degrees Fahrenheit can cause external and internal cracking and separation of the rubber because summer compounds lose their elasticity in the cold.

asc

Assuming that's right, and I'm not debating it, seems fairly silly they'd sell these vehicles with these tires in the northeast, where we're below 40F for at least 4-5 months a year. Especially without pushing people to buy other tires. Instead they push the tire insurance package, which would seemingly lose them money if they know these tires will have issues in the cold. Either way, I'll look for another set for next winter.

bobblehead

there are many threads discussion on "Winter tires setup" in the forum. 19 & 20 setup are the norm.

Keith66

Even though they are literally labeled summer tires for this reason, I totally agree this information should be much more prevalent. I'm pretty sure it's in our manuals, but nobody reads that, lol.

I think many people aren't aware that the integrity of their summer tires can be compromised using them in cold weather.

Even with all that said, I don't see it as the end of the world, but I'd be nervous doing 100+ MPH on summer tires that were previously run at freezing temps.

asc

They don't even call them "summer" tires! They say "performance." Hopefully won't be an issue by next year if I can find a set of winters with wheels and a place to store and swap them for me that's local.

Keith66

Yeah, sorry I'm assuming you have summers. A majority of "performance" compounds are rated "summer". What specific tire do you have?

asc

I'm sure they're "summer." It's code R01, they're Michelin Pilot Sport 4S.

Keith66

Yup, that's the same tire I'm running and it's a summer rated tire. Since I'm in south Florida I don't need to be concerned about swapping them myself, but if I lived somewhere where they have winter I surely would. JMO.

PeterUbers

https://mbworld.org/forums/w212-amg/...e63-wagon.html

https://mbworld.org/forums/w213-amg/...-skipping.html

OBP

OP: I'm in NJ just right next to you. I really would not be comfy running on Mich Pilot Sport 4S at 40 degrees and below. I would be paranoid about hitting the brakes hard and starting to slide on a cold day, especially when it gets in the 20s. I regularly do 85 to 95 mph in the E63, CLS and the GLK when it is below freezing but I have a dedicated winter tire set up for each of the cars. The E63 runs Mich PA4s on OEM 19 inch wheels - yes the ugly winter set from MB. I do Bridgestone Blizzaks on the other two MB cars. Stay safe, hope you get a winter set that works well for you.