The 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350 sits in the modern luxury SUV world, blending full-size utility with the long-distance character that made the diesel-powered Bluetec name appealing to many owners. For this exact model, tire selection starts with confirming which wheel package is on the vehicle, because the GL350 uses 265/60R18, 275/55R19, or 275/50R20 radial sizes depending on setup. All three are modern metric radials, so the decision is less about vintage construction and more about matching the correct rim diameter and overall fitment. Before choosing a tire, check the current wheel size and confirm that any past wheel or suspension changes have not altered what the vehicle needs.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350 uses three primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends first on the wheel diameter currently on the vehicle. All of these fitments are radial and stay very close in overall diameter, but 18-inch, 19-inch, and 20-inch wheel packages are not interchangeable without confirming the actual wheel setup before selecting a tire.
In 265/60R18, the 265 identifies the tire's nominal section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 18 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350, this is one of the primary modern radial fitments tied to an 18-inch wheel package. Its dimensions place it close to the other GL350 fitments, but the rim diameter is unique to this setup. Choose this size only after confirming that the vehicle is actually running 18-inch wheels and has not been changed to a different factory-style or aftermarket wheel diameter.
The size 275/50R20 uses a 275-millimeter nominal section width, a 50-series profile, radial construction, and a 20-inch rim diameter. For the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350, this size belongs to the 20-inch wheel configuration and carries a lower-profile look than the 18-inch option while remaining close in overall diameter. That makes wheel confirmation especially important, since the tire must match the larger rim rather than the vehicle name alone. This is the right size to evaluate when the GL350 is equipped with 20-inch wheels and the buyer wants to maintain that specific wheel-and-tire package.
A 275/55R19 tire is 275 millimeters wide in nominal section width, uses a 55-series profile, has radial construction, and mounts on a 19-inch rim. On the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350, it serves as the middle fitment between the 18-inch and 20-inch wheel packages while staying in the same general diameter range. The key point is not just width or profile, but the fact that this size is built specifically for a 19-inch wheel. It is the size to consider when the GL350 retains its 19-inch setup and the goal is to match that exact wheel diameter rather than substitute across sizes.
The covered GL350 sub-model uses more than one valid tire size because different wheel packages were offered within the same basic configuration. Checking the exact wheel diameter on the vehicle matters more than the sub-model name alone when narrowing down the correct tire.
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2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350 Bluetec 4Matic
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350 Bluetec 4Matic can use 18-inch, 19-inch, or 20-inch radial tire fitments depending on the wheel package installed. Tire selection starts with matching the tire to the actual wheel diameter on the vehicle, then confirming that any aftermarket wheel or suspension changes have not altered clearance or fitment needs.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Owners usually need to sort out wheel-package fitment first on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350. These FAQs focus on tire size, rim diameter, selecting among the three radial sizes, and the checks that matter before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350?
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350 uses three primary tire sizes: 265/60R18, 275/55R19, and 275/50R20. All three are radial sizes, and each one corresponds to a different wheel diameter rather than serving as a universal one-size option for every wheel setup on the vehicle.
The practical step is to confirm which wheels are actually on the GL350 before choosing a tire. A vehicle may still have its original wheel package, or it may have been changed over time, so the sidewall size marking and the wheel diameter should both be checked before ordering replacement tires.
What size rim does a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350 use?
A 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350 can use 18-inch, 19-inch, or 20-inch rims, depending on which tire size is on the vehicle. The matching tire sizes are 265/60R18 for 18-inch rims, 275/55R19 for 19-inch rims, and 275/50R20 for 20-inch rims.
That makes rim confirmation the first fitment check, not a final detail. The tire must match the wheel diameter exactly, so an 18-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 19-inch or 20-inch rim, even though the overall tire diameters across these GL350 fitments stay relatively close.
Why does the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350 have more than one tire size?
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350 has more than one tire size because it was fitted with different wheel diameters. The 18-inch, 19-inch, and 20-inch combinations use different metric radial sizes, but they remain close in overall tire diameter so the vehicle keeps a similar overall stance across those wheel packages.
For an owner, that means the model name by itself is not enough to choose a tire. The current wheel package needs to be verified first, especially if the SUV has changed hands, received aftermarket wheels, or had previous tire replacements that may not reflect the original setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350?
Start with the correct size for the wheel package on the vehicle: 265/60R18, 275/55R19, or 275/50R20. Since the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350 uses radial tires across all three fitments, the core decision is matching the proper rim diameter and preserving the intended size range for that setup.
After size is confirmed, check the tire's overall dimensions against the current wheel and vehicle configuration. That matters even more if the GL350 has aftermarket wheels, altered suspension height, or prior fitment changes, because a tire that looks close on paper still needs to suit the actual wheel and available clearance.
How do I choose between the available GL350 tire sizes on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350?
The available GL350 tire sizes are not interchangeable choices in the usual sense; they belong to different wheel diameters. A 265/60R18 goes with an 18-inch rim, a 275/55R19 goes with a 19-inch rim, and a 275/50R20 goes with a 20-inch rim.
Choosing between them really means identifying which wheel package is on the vehicle now. Once that is clear, compare replacement tires within that exact size instead of trying to move across sizes, unless the full wheel, tire, and clearance combination is being evaluated as part of a planned change.
What rim-fitment details matter when choosing tires for a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350?
Rim diameter is the most important fitment detail on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350 because this model uses three different wheel sizes. The tire size must match the wheel exactly, so the first check is whether the SUV is on 18-inch, 19-inch, or 20-inch rims.
Wheel width and the overall wheel setup also matter when a GL350 has been modified or refitted. It is smart to confirm the wheel dimensions, inspect for non-original wheels, and make sure the replacement tire maintains appropriate clearance at the fenders, suspension, and steering components.
Restoration & Appearance
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350 restoration or preservation project?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters even on a modern collector or preservation-minded 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350. Using the proper size for the actual wheel package helps maintain the vehicle's intended proportions and avoids the mismatched look that can come from installing a tire meant for a different rim diameter.
Appearance and fitment work together on a vehicle like this. Anyone aiming for a clean, original-style presentation should confirm whether the GL350 retains its 18-inch, 19-inch, or 20-inch setup, then choose a replacement tire that matches that package rather than assuming all GL350 tires are visually or physically interchangeable.
Which tire size should I keep for a period-appropriate 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350 appearance?
A period-appropriate appearance starts with keeping the tire size that matches the wheel package currently on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350. That means 265/60R18 for 18-inch wheels, 275/55R19 for 19-inch wheels, or 275/50R20 for 20-inch wheels rather than mixing sizes across different rim diameters.
That approach helps preserve the visual balance intended for the vehicle's specific wheel setup. If originality is especially important, inspect the wheels closely before replacing tires, since a GL350 may have been changed by a previous owner and the current tires may not reflect how the vehicle was originally configured.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350 even when the replacement tire matches one of the known stock sizes. Wheel changes, suspension lowering or lifting, and body or steering-related alterations can change the space available for the tire during turns and suspension movement.
That is why wheel diameter alone is not the only thing to verify on a modified vehicle. Check current wheel dimensions, look for rubbing marks, and confirm clearance at full steering lock and normal suspension travel so the chosen tire suits the GL350 as it sits today.
What should I inspect before driving a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350 on new tires?
Before driving a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350 on new tires, inspect that the size matches the wheel package, confirm proper inflation, and make sure the tires clear the suspension, fenders, and steering components. It is also worth checking the wheels themselves for damage, bends, or previous repair work.
A short visual inspection after installation can prevent later problems. Look for uneven seating at the bead, verify there is no contact under turning or compression, and keep an eye on air pressure during the first several drives so the new tires settle in with the wheel and vehicle setup correctly.
How often should tires on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350 be inspected?
Tires on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GL350 should be inspected regularly, especially before longer trips and anytime the vehicle has been parked for extended periods. Even on a newer SUV, basic checks for tread wear, cuts, bulges, cracking, and slow air loss are important for safe and consistent road use.
Routine inspection matters even more if the GL350 sees light seasonal use or sits for stretches between drives. A quick walkaround and pressure check can catch age-related issues early, and any sign of uneven wear may also point to alignment, suspension, or wheel-fitment problems that deserve attention.
