Stumblefoot

I've got a 550 on order and live in the rocky mountains of Colorado where we get a lot of snow obviously. Over on the GL forum, there has been a lot of consternation of whether or not the tires on the 550 are going to work well in the snow. My dealer has been no help at all, so I'm hoping Luke or others can give me their expert opinion on the 550's new tires. See image below:

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Although the Cross Contact UHP tread on the GL550 has an "M+S" rated compund found on the GL450, I'm just not sure these puppies are going to be okay in the type of snow we get out here.

If not, what will be the best snow tires to replace these beasts with? I don't want the tires to look silly with the fender flares of the new 550.

Thanks in advance for the help!

smithjohnson

those are good sets of tires...

Luke@tirerack

while they are branded with the M&S designation which means they are all-season tires they are not very good in the snow when compared to a true winter tire .... winter traction is 80% compound and 20% tread design and the M&S rating is based on tread design ...

Stumblefoot

Thanks Luke for the insight. That's what I was afraid of unfortunately.

Can you recommend a great 21" winter tire (is there such a thing?) that matches the tire code 295/40, as well as the load factor and speed rating? Again, I am also concerned with aesthetics since the GL550 has such exaggerated fender flares.

Thanks!

Luke@tirerack

as soon as I get one here to examine I will be able to figure something out .... I'm thinking mid - late September

Stumblefoot

Sounds great Luke and I appreciate the service. My 550 should be arriving hopefully late September and we start getting snow in earnest come late November.

Feel free to PM me once you get it figured out.

Take Care.

lkchris

Your GL550's owners manual will contain snow tire recommendations.

I'd be surprised if any 21-in tires are specified.