The 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 blends grand-touring comfort with the sleek four-door coupe shape that defined the modern CLS line. For many owners, the tire decision is less about vintage-style restoration and more about preserving the car’s intended balance of stance, handling, and wheel fitment. This CLS550 uses staggered radial tire sizing, with 255-section front tires and 285-section rear tires, and it appears with either 18-inch or 19-inch wheel setups. That makes wheel diameter and axle position the key starting points, followed by tire-series and brand selection. A careful match helps maintain the car’s appearance, clearance, and road manners without guessing across front and rear fitment.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 uses four primary tire sizes across a staggered front-and-rear setup, and the correct choice depends first on both axle position and wheel diameter. Front fitment uses either 255/40R18 or 255/35R19, while rear fitment uses either 285/35R18 or 285/30R19, so confirming whether the car is on 18-inch or 19-inch wheels is the first step before comparing tire options.
255/35R19 is a modern metric radial size in which 255 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 35 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 19 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550, this size is used at the front with the 19-inch wheel setup. Available choices in this size come from BFGoodrich and are offered in blackwall form across g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, and g-Force Phenom T/A series. It is the right size to evaluate when the car retains its 19-inch front wheels and staggered fitment.
255/40R18 follows the same modern metric radial sizing convention, with a 255-millimeter section width, a 40-series profile, radial construction, and an 18-inch rim diameter. On this CLS550, it serves as the front tire size for the 18-inch wheel setup rather than the 19-inch package. BFGoodrich offers blackwall choices in this size through the g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, and g-Force Phenom T/A lines, giving owners several ways to compare tire character within the same fitment. This is the size to consider when the car is equipped with 18-inch front wheels.
285/30R19 is a wider modern metric radial, with 285 indicating the nominal section width in millimeters, 30 identifying a lower-profile sidewall, and 19 marking the wheel diameter. On the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550, this size is used at the rear when the car has the 19-inch staggered setup. Its role is specific to rear fitment, so it should be matched with the corresponding 19-inch front size rather than chosen in isolation. Owners should verify that the car still has its intended rear wheel diameter and width before selecting a replacement in this size.
285/35R18 uses the same metric radial system, combining a 285-millimeter section width with a 35-series profile on an 18-inch wheel. On this CLS550, it is the rear tire size for the 18-inch staggered arrangement, pairing with the narrower 18-inch front fitment. The available product in this size is the Nitto NT555 G2 in blackwall form, giving the rear axle a clearly defined choice within the correct fitment. This size should be evaluated only after confirming that the car is using 18-inch rear wheels and the proper staggered front-to-rear combination.
Sub-model fitment on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 is straightforward in one sense and easy to misread in another: Base and 4Matic share the same front and rear sizing pattern. What matters most is confirming whether the tire being replaced is on the front or rear axle and whether the car is running 18-inch or 19-inch wheels.
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2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 4Matic Front
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 4Matic Front uses the same two front tire size paths seen elsewhere in the model range, depending on whether the car has 18-inch or 19-inch wheels. Tire selection here starts with wheel diameter confirmation, then moves to comparing the available front-tire series within the correct size.
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 4Matic Rear uses the wider rear portion of the staggered setup, again split between 18-inch and 19-inch wheel packages. That means rear replacement should be handled as a dedicated fitment decision, with attention to axle position and the existing wheel size before choosing a tire.
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Base Front follows the same front fitment pattern as the 4Matic, using one of two radial front sizes based on wheel diameter. The practical decision is not trim level but confirming whether the car has the 18-inch or 19-inch front wheel setup before comparing blackwall tire options.
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Base Rear uses the wider rear tire sizes associated with the model’s staggered layout, with separate fitments for 18-inch and 19-inch wheels. Rear tire selection should stay tied to the actual wheel on the car so the replacement matches the intended rear fitment and stance.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Tires for Sale
Available CLS550 tire choices center on radial blackwall performance-oriented options from BFGoodrich and Nitto. The main differences in the product grid come from wheel diameter, front-versus-rear fitment, tire series, rim-width compatibility, load specifications, and overall tire character within the correct staggered size.
These FAQs focus on the exact tire sizes used on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550, including staggered front and rear fitment, 18-inch versus 19-inch wheel setups, available tire series, and the wheel and suspension checks worth making before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550?
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 uses a staggered tire setup, so front and rear sizes are different. Front fitment is either 255/40R18 or 255/35R19, while rear fitment is either 285/35R18 or 285/30R19. All of these are radial tire sizes, and the correct pair depends on whether the car is equipped with 18-inch or 19-inch wheels.
The key is to match both axle position and wheel diameter before ordering tires. A front size should not be substituted for the rear, and an 18-inch fitment should not be mixed with a 19-inch wheel. Checking the wheel itself, the existing tire sidewall, and any prior wheel changes helps confirm the correct size combination for the car.
What size rim does a 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 use?
A 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 uses either 18-inch or 19-inch rims, depending on the wheel package on the car. The 18-inch setup pairs 255/40R18 in front with 285/35R18 in the rear, while the 19-inch setup pairs 255/35R19 in front with 285/30R19 in the rear.
Rim diameter is the first thing to confirm because the CLS550 has more than one correct wheel-and-tire package. Measuring only the tire width is not enough on this car. Looking at the wheel diameter stamp, the current tire sidewall, and whether the car still has its original wheel package can prevent ordering the right size for the wrong rim.
Do all 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 sub-models use the same tire size?
Base and 4Matic versions of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 follow the same overall fitment pattern, but the car still does not use one single tire size everywhere. Both sub-models use narrower front tires and wider rear tires, with one staggered set for 18-inch wheels and another staggered set for 19-inch wheels.
That means sub-model alone does not finish the job. The real fitment check is front versus rear plus wheel diameter. Owners replacing only one pair of tires should verify the axle position carefully, and anyone working from a modified car should confirm that the current wheels still match one of the proper CLS550 size combinations.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 tire?
Start with the exact position and size the car uses, because the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 has a staggered setup with different front and rear tires and two possible wheel diameters. After size is confirmed, compare the available radial options by tire series, rim-width specification, load details where stated, and the type of driving the car sees.
A CLS550 used mainly for everyday road miles may lead to a different tire-series choice than one driven more selectively or with a stronger emphasis on sharp response. It also helps to check whether the car still has its original wheel arrangement, since aftermarket wheels can change the tire-selection decision even when the sidewall size looks close.
What sidewall styles are available for 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 tires?
The available tires for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 in these fitments use a blackwall sidewall style. That applies to the BFGoodrich front-size options and the Nitto rear-size option shown for the covered sizes, so the look stays clean and modern rather than leaning toward vintage sidewall treatments.
Because this car uses contemporary low-profile radial sizes, sidewall choice is less about whitewalls or period styling and more about matching the right series and specifications to the wheel package. Owners focused on appearance should still confirm that the front and rear tires complement each other visually, especially on a staggered car with wider rear rubber.
What brands offer tires for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550?
BFGoodrich and Nitto are represented in the available 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 fitments here. BFGoodrich covers the listed front sizes through g-Force series options, while Nitto appears in the 285/35R18 rear size with the NT555 G2, all in radial blackwall construction.
Brand choice should still come after size confirmation, because the CLS550 does not use the same tire at every corner. Once the correct front or rear size is established, comparing tire series, rim-width range, and any stated load specification is more useful than choosing by brand name alone. That approach keeps the focus on fitment first.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550?
A period-style approach on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 usually means staying with the proper staggered radial sizing and the correct 18-inch or 19-inch wheel package rather than searching for vintage-style construction. The car uses modern metric radial sizes, so preserving the intended proportion between the narrower front and wider rear tires is a big part of keeping the look right.
Among the available options, tire series and sidewall presentation shape the appearance more than construction type, since the covered fitments are all radial blackwalls. Owners aiming for a more original visual balance should confirm wheel diameter, wheel width, and stance before changing sizes, especially if the car has already been altered from its original wheel setup.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 because the car’s design depends on a specific staggered relationship between front and rear tires. Using the proper 18-inch or 19-inch combination helps preserve the visual stance of the car and keeps the proportions in line with the wheel package it was built around.
Even on a newer collector or enthusiast Mercedes, appearance and fitment work together. A tire that is close in size but wrong for the axle or rim diameter can change the look of the car and complicate replacement planning later. Checking the actual wheels on the car is especially important if it has spent time with aftermarket tire or wheel combinations.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550, especially because it uses a staggered setup and two different wheel-diameter combinations. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, lowering, alignment changes, or body modifications can alter the clearance relationship between the tire, fender, and suspension components even when the nominal size remains familiar.
A car that no longer has its original wheels should be checked carefully before replacement tires are chosen. Wheel width, offset, and actual front-versus-rear placement matter on this model. Confirming those details first helps avoid selecting a size that matches the sidewall marking on one corner but does not suit the car’s current configuration everywhere it needs to work.
What should I inspect before driving a 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 on new tires?
Before driving a 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 on new tires, inspect wheel condition, tire pressure, valve stems, and the basic front-and-rear size match. It is also smart to confirm that the correct staggered sizes were installed on the proper axles and that there is no visible interference with suspension parts, inner liners, or fender edges.
A short road test should be followed by another quick visual check for rubbing, uneven seating, or pressure loss. Since this car uses lower-profile radial sizes, alignment and suspension condition also matter to tire life. Any vibration, pulling, or unusual wear pattern deserves attention early, before miles accumulate and turn a fitment issue into a larger tire problem.
How often should tires on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 be inspected?
Tires on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 should be inspected regularly, not only when tread looks low. A quick routine check for pressure loss, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and sidewall damage is worthwhile because the car uses staggered low-profile radials, and problems can develop differently between the front and rear tires.
Inspection is especially important before a longer drive or after the car has been parked for extended periods. Looking at the tires while the vehicle is stationary can reveal aging, flat spotting, or damage that is easy to miss day to day. Staying attentive to condition helps preserve ride quality and keeps the staggered fitment working as intended.
