GLC 43 AMG Coupe crabbing!

[Petroloss]

Hi. I’m just a newbie so excuse me if I’m returning to old problems. My car is a 2021 GLC 43 AMG coupe. It’s a great car apart from the fact that it suffers from the well known crabbing problem at full lock, either forwards or backwards. I know that Mercedes sorted this problem out with the standard GLC but nothing seems to have been done about either the 43 or the 63 GLC’s. I’m looking at changing the summer tyres to all weather tyres as I understand that although this doesn’t solve the problem, it at least appears to mask it. Apparently some tyre makes are better than others for doing this. Can anyone tell me which tyres are best for this problem? Can anyone tell me why Mercedes haven’t sorted this problem out with the 43 and 63 models. I assume it’s something to do with the different steering geometry to the standard GLC. I’m still surprised that Mercedes haven’t come up with a fix but assume this is probably down to cost. This is despite the fact that these cars are costly for the owners in the first place. Why should we be expected to just live with it?
Thanks for any and all comments.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Hi. I’m just a newbie so excuse me if I’m returning to old problems. My car is a 2021 GLC 43 AMG coupe. It’s a great car apart from the fact that it suffers from the well known crabbing problem at full lock, either forwards or backwards. I know that Mercedes sorted this problem out with the standard GLC but nothing seems to have been done about either the 43 or the 63 GLC’s. I’m looking at changing the summer tyres to all weather tyres as I understand that although this doesn’t solve the problem, it at least appears to mask it. Apparently some tyre makes are better than others for doing this. Can anyone tell me which tyres are best for this problem? Can anyone tell me why Mercedes haven’t sorted this problem out with the 43 and 63 models. I assume it’s something to do with the different steering geometry to the standard GLC. I’m still surprised that Mercedes haven’t come up with a fix but assume this is probably down to cost. This is despite the fact that these cars are costly for the owners in the first place. Why should we be expected to just live with it?
Thanks for any and all comments.

Welcome to MBClub. If you can justify two sets of tyres - and they’re available in the right sizes - then winter tyres would be ideal. If you can only justify one set of tyres - and they’re available in the right sizes then they would improve the situation.

In terms of which brand is best, then it really comes down to what’s available in the sizes you need - choice will be limited. If you stick to premium brands - Michelin, Continental, Pirelli, and Goodyear - then you can’t go wrong.

Do take care though, you wouldn’t be the first person to be told by a tyre shop/dealer that they’re buying all season tyres, but they’re actually selling them Summer tyres - new summer tyres will be better than old ones, but it will still skip.

Good luck with the tyre search

 

[KennyN]

Wide wheels . low profile tyres , sporty suspension geometry , cold temps and it all adds up to this crabbing issue on most vehicles not just MB.

My previous Cayenne was bad on 21" Yokahamas , the new one on 22" P Zeros is embarrassing bad even the wife asked whats wrong with your car during low speed manoeuvres due to the noises from the frontend.

Not prepared to get another set of wheels / tyres for the winter so i am just living with it.

K

 

[ALFAitalia]

My wife's A Class is the same....but how often are you on full lock to notice...its only multi storeys it's embarrassingly audible.

 

[TrueSpirit]

Some of my rearwheel drive cars have been terrible with winter crabbing. Not as bad as the awd AMG I owned for a while but as KennyN mentions, it's a combination of factors. I assume this only really happens on cold tyres and coming out of your driveway mainly but let me know if it happens everywhere and all the time even coming out of junctions etc

 

[Petroloss]

Welcome to MBClub. If you can justify two sets of tyres - and they’re available in the right sizes - then winter tyres would be ideal. If you can only justify one set of tyres - and they’re available in the right sizes then they would improve the situation.

In terms of which brand is best, then it really comes down to what’s available in the sizes you need - choice will be limited. If you stick to premium brands - Michelin, Continental, Pirelli, and Goodyear - then you can’t go wrong.

Do take care though, you wouldn’t be the first person to be told by a tyre shop/dealer that they’re buying all season tyres, but they’re actually selling them Summer tyres - new summer tyres will be better than old ones, but it will still skip.

Good luck with the tyre search

Thanks for your reply. I’m working with Mercedes UK to try to find an amicable solution. Fingers crossed but otherwise I’ll take your advice and fit winter tyres from one of the tyre manufacturers you’ve mentioned.

 

[Petroloss]

Wide wheels . low profile tyres , sporty suspension geometry , cold temps and it all adds up to this crabbing issue on most vehicles not just MB.

My previous Cayenne was bad on 21" Yokahamas , the new one on 22" P Zeros is embarrassing bad even the wife asked whats wrong with your car during low speed manoeuvres due to the noises from the frontend.

Not prepared to get another set of wheels / tyres for the winter so i am just living with it.

K

I guess living with it is what I’ll end up doing but I’m always hopeful that some of the suggestions on here at least will make it more liveable.

 

[Petroloss]

My wife's A Class is the same....but how often are you on full lock to notice...it’s only multi storeys it's embarrassingly audible.

I like the quotes!

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Hi. I’m just a newbie so excuse me if I’m returning to old problems. My car is a 2021 GLC 43 AMG coupe. It’s a great car apart from the fact that it suffers from the well known crabbing problem at full lock, either forwards or backwards. I know that Mercedes sorted this problem out with the standard GLC but nothing seems to have been done about either the 43 or the 63 GLC’s. I’m looking at changing the summer tyres to all weather tyres as I understand that although this doesn’t solve the problem, it at least appears to mask it. Apparently some tyre makes are better than others for doing this. Can anyone tell me which tyres are best for this problem? Can anyone tell me why Mercedes haven’t sorted this problem out with the 43 and 63 models. I assume it’s something to do with the different steering geometry to the standard GLC. I’m still surprised that Mercedes haven’t come up with a fix but assume this is probably down to cost. This is despite the fact that these cars are costly for the owners in the first place. Why should we be expected to just live with it?
Thanks for any and all comments.

Isn't the engine the only difference from normal glc as you call it to the 43 and 63 . Btw mercedes didn't sort anything out to help solve the issue , they simply masked the effects with a redesigning of the steering arm/knuckle and fitted all season tyres. The c43 also crabs as does the e63 etc , in fact it's anything with 4 matic . The new glc has 4ws with a 4 degree tilt , obviously aimed at a cure .

Now as for tyres ,I own a glc350 coupe which crabbed for 2 winters , I had to act on it this year or sell it , as driving it in less than 12 degrees was woeful to say the least .

It's not just full lock , it's anything more than half lock , parking is a nightmare,pulling out from 90 degree junctions ,as was reversing.

I looked into this issue myself for a good while and commited to buying 'Goodyear vector 4 ' all seasons . Now I've been informed the crabbing returns when the tyres get worn , but for me that'll be close to 4 or 5 years with my mileage. I can say in all honesty that the crabbing has gone totally ,even down to minus 3 the other 2 mornings. They are well rated in snow and also in the wet , dry braking is reduced .

I'm one happy glc owner once again.

 

[Petroloss]

Isn't the engine the only difference from normal glc as you call it to the 43 and 63 . Btw mercedes didn't sort anything out to help solve the issue , they simply masked the effects with a redesigning of the steering arm/knuckle and fitted all season tyres. The c43 also crabs as does the e63 etc , in fact it's anything with 4 matic . The new glc has 4ws with a 4 degree tilt , obviously aimed at a cure .

Now as for tyres ,I own a glc350 coupe which crabbed for 2 winters , I had to act on it this year or sell it , as driving it in less than 12 degrees was woeful to say the least .

It's not just full lock , it's anything more than half lock , parking is a nightmare,pulling out from 90 degree junctions ,as was reversing.

I looked into this issue myself for a good while and commited to buying 'Goodyear vector 4 ' all seasons . Now I've been informed the crabbing returns when the tyres get worn , but for me that'll be close to 4 or 5 years with my mileage. I can say in all honesty that the crabbing has gone totally ,even down to minus 3 the other 2 mornings. They are well rated in snow and also in the wet , dry braking is reduced .

I'm one happy glc owner once again.

Thanks for the info. I’ll keep those tyres in mind if/when I change. I’m hoping Mercedes come up with a useful suggestion but expecting too much!

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Thanks for the info. I’ll keep those tyres in mind if/when I change. I’m hoping Mercedes come up with a useful suggestion but expecting too much!

They won't.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Thanks for the info. I’ll keep those tyres in mind if/when I change. I’m hoping Mercedes come up with a useful suggestion but expecting too much!

Did you buy the car new? Unfortunately very very little goodwill is forthcoming from Mercedes-Benz UK these days, so be prepared for them to suggest all season or winter tyres at your own cost.

As suggested, a large number of models from a large number of manufacturers will skip tyres in cold weather, but GLC owners have attracted the greatest amount of attention.

It’s not just GLC, 4matic, or Mercedes, it’s any car with very wide, very low-profile, ultra high performance summer tyres being used in cool or cold conditions when summer compounds harden.

All season and winter tyres have deeper tread blocks, softer side walls, sipes (lots of very fine slots in tread blocks) and a softer co pound, all of which are designed to make the wheel flex.

Ultra high performance tyres are the complete opposite, and hence the tyre cannot flex enough to absorb lateral load at tight turning angles, and struggle to get up to temperature when driving.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Thanks for your reply. I’m working with Mercedes UK to try to find an amicable solution. Fingers crossed but otherwise I’ll take your advice and fit winter tyres from one of the tyre manufacturers you’ve mentioned.

If you don’t want to switch tyres for winter and summer, then running winter tyres all year round is less compromising than running an ultra high performance tyre all year round.

A premium winter tyre will perform more closely to a summer tyre in late spring and summer, than an ultra high performance summer tyre will perform relative to a winter tyre in autumn, winter and spring.

Some people say that winter tyres wear quickly in summer l, they don’t. I’ve lost count of the cars and winter tyre brands I’ve had at least one car on winter tyres all year round for a decade or more.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

I'd stick with a premium all season tyre . Some brands are now matching the performance of a summer tyre and a winter tyre in tests . The difference is minimal.

 

[Petroloss]

They won't.

In reply to your comment, “they won’t “ you are absolutely correct.
This is the response they have given to me.
Quote:

“Thank you for your email regarding your Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 with vehicle registration number XX XXX (“the Vehicle”).

Your suggestion that the Vehicle “crabs” when on full lock, thereby wearing the tyres prematurely is noted. We further note your reference to being informed this sensation is due to the changeover from left hand to right hand drive and to it being a manufacturing fault.

By way of response, please be assured that the sensation to which you refer is not due to the ‘changeover from left hand to right hand drive’ but is a characteristic of the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43, which is manufactured as a performance vehicle.

The distribution of weight on the front axle varies for all vehicles and manufacturers from left to right hand drive. This means there is a dependency on the tyre wall flexibility to help absorb the angles of steering when on a full lock. When the rubber on the tyre is cold, the elasticity and flexibility of the sidewall results in a lack of absorption, and the sensation may occur whilst the tyre is trying to grip. It is noticeable at very low speeds and when a certain percentage of wheel lock is engaged for turning. This is not a safety issue, and has no effect on the overall performance, quality, or integrity of the Vehicle.

As with any high-performance vehicle, there are noticeable differences in comfort compared to other premium vehicles, including lower profile tyres and different steering angles to aid improved and dynamic handling. Specifications to performance models, such as the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43, may enhance the sensation, which also becomes more noticeable when tyres are heavily worn.

Mercedes-Benz UK have not seen cases of abnormal tyre wear being caused by the characteristic, however, the characteristic may become pronounced in cold weather conditions, when larger alloy wheels are installed or where low-profile tyres have been fitted; this is due to the flexibility of the tyre sidewall. The sensation is also present on other manufacturers’ vehicles that are fitted with low-profile summer tyres. In line with the Vehicle manufacturer guidance, as set out in the owner’s manual, our recommendation to all customers is to fit winter tyres during the winter months at temperatures below 7°C.

In conclusion, Mercedes Benz UK are confident the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 does not have any inherent manufacturing defect and continues to comply with all legislative requirements.”
Unquote.

Total and utter bullshit as far as I’m concerned.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

In reply to your comment, “they won’t “ you are absolutely correct.
This is the response they have given to me.
Quote:

“Thank you for your email regarding your Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 with vehicle registration number XX XXX (“the Vehicle”).

Your suggestion that the Vehicle “crabs” when on full lock, thereby wearing the tyres prematurely is noted. We further note your reference to being informed this sensation is due to the changeover from left hand to right hand drive and to it being a manufacturing fault.

By way of response, please be assured that the sensation to which you refer is not due to the ‘changeover from left hand to right hand drive’ but is a characteristic of the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43, which is manufactured as a performance vehicle.

The distribution of weight on the front axle varies for all vehicles and manufacturers from left to right hand drive. This means there is a dependency on the tyre wall flexibility to help absorb the angles of steering when on a full lock. When the rubber on the tyre is cold, the elasticity and flexibility of the sidewall results in a lack of absorption, and the sensation may occur whilst the tyre is trying to grip. It is noticeable at very low speeds and when a certain percentage of wheel lock is engaged for turning. This is not a safety issue, and has no effect on the overall performance, quality, or integrity of the Vehicle.

As with any high-performance vehicle, there are noticeable differences in comfort compared to other premium vehicles, including lower profile tyres and different steering angles to aid improved and dynamic handling. Specifications to performance models, such as the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43, may enhance the sensation, which also becomes more noticeable when tyres are heavily worn.

Mercedes-Benz UK have not seen cases of abnormal tyre wear being caused by the characteristic, however, the characteristic may become pronounced in cold weather conditions, when larger alloy wheels are installed or where low-profile tyres have been fitted; this is due to the flexibility of the tyre sidewall. The sensation is also present on other manufacturers’ vehicles that are fitted with low-profile summer tyres. In line with the Vehicle manufacturer guidance, as set out in the owner’s manual, our recommendation to all customers is to fit winter tyres during the winter months at temperatures below 7°C.

In conclusion, Mercedes Benz UK are confident the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 does not have any inherent manufacturing defect and continues to comply with all legislative requirements.”
Unquote.

Total and utter bullshit as far as I’m concerned.

It happens on the glc 220 hardly high performance. Also you can't say a 235 55 19 tyre is low profile . Nor is a 235 60 18 also fitted to the glc. Like I said I spent £650 on Goodyear vectors and the crabbing was gone . They also have a reinforced edge for hard cornering , which I thought may cause crabbing to remain , but it didn't. The new glc has 4ws and is an obvious attempt at fettling this issue . Wonder why audis with the quattro system don't crab or Toyota rav 4 . Both of which I've owned ,also a Kia Sportage which didn't crab.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Total and utter bullshit as far as I’m concerned.

What’s written there is actually a fairly good explanation. It may be frustrating if you have never experienced it before but it is normal for the size and nature of the tyres you’ve fitted.