The 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350 came from an era when compact luxury SUVs were expected to blend sharp road manners with everyday utility. Its upright shape and premium German character gave it a different feel from softer crossover designs, so tire choice still plays a major role in preserving that balance. For this exact GLK350, the primary fitments are radial tires in 235/50R19 and 235/45R20. That means the decision centers less on old-versus-modern construction and more on confirming which wheel diameter is on the vehicle. Before choosing tires, check whether your GLK350 is running 19-inch or 20-inch wheels and whether any wheel changes have been made.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350 uses two primary tire sizes, and both are radial fitments. The key difference is wheel diameter, with one size built for a 19-inch rim and the other for a 20-inch rim. Since both the Base and 4Matic configurations can use either size, the first step is confirming which wheels are actually on the vehicle before comparing tire choices.
A 235/45R20 tire uses a 235-millimeter section width, a 45-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 20-inch rim. On the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350, this size supports the larger wheel fitment while keeping a modern metric radial format that is familiar to current SUV owners. Its dimensions make it a distinct fitment choice rather than an interchangeable alternative to the 19-inch setup. This is the size to evaluate if your GLK350 is already equipped with 20-inch wheels and you want to keep the vehicle aligned with that wheel package.
A 235/50R19 tire carries the same 235-millimeter nominal width as the 20-inch option, but it uses a 50-series profile on a 19-inch rim. For the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350, that makes it the radial fitment tied to the smaller wheel diameter of the two factory-style size options shown here. Because the overall dimensions are close but the rim diameter is different, wheel confirmation matters more than visual estimation. Choose this size only if the GLK350 is running 19-inch wheels and the current setup has not been changed from that configuration.
Tire fitment stays fairly straightforward across the covered GLK350 sub-models because both the Base and 4Matic versions use the same two radial size options. The important check is not trim level alone, but which wheel diameter is currently installed on the vehicle.
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2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350 4Matic
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350 4Matic uses the same two radial tire sizes found across this model range. Tire selection comes down to confirming whether the vehicle is wearing 19-inch or 20-inch wheels, then matching the tire size to that setup.
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350 Base also uses the same two radial fitments as the 4Matic version. That makes wheel diameter the real deciding factor, so checking the actual rims on the vehicle is more important than assuming fitment by sub-model name alone.
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
Common GLK350 tire questions usually come down to size, wheel diameter, sub-model fitment, and what to inspect before putting the vehicle back into regular road use. The answers below focus on those exact 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350 concerns.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350?
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350 uses two primary tire sizes: 235/50R19 and 235/45R20. Both are radial fitments, and both appear across the GLK350 model range, including Base and 4Matic configurations. That means the correct choice depends on which wheel package is on the vehicle rather than on tire construction differences.
The practical step is to confirm the actual wheel diameter before ordering tires. A 19-inch wheel requires 235/50R19, while a 20-inch wheel requires 235/45R20. Since both sub-models can use either size, checking the sidewall on the current tires or measuring the wheel is more reliable than choosing by trim name alone.
What size rim does a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350 use?
A 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350 uses either a 19-inch or 20-inch rim, depending on which tire size is installed. The 235/50R19 fitment is built for a 19-inch rim, and the 235/45R20 fitment is built for a 20-inch rim. Both sizes are part of the GLK350 fitment range.
Rim diameter is the first detail to verify because the two tire sizes are not for the same wheel. Looking only at tread width can be misleading since both sizes begin with 235. If the GLK350 has had aftermarket wheels fitted, confirm the wheel markings and compare the current tire size before selecting replacements.
Do all 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350 sub-models use the same tire size?
Both covered 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350 sub-models, Base and 4Matic, use the same two tire size options: 235/50R19 and 235/45R20. In that sense, fitment is shared across the sub-model range. The difference is not between those two trims, but between the wheel diameters installed on the individual vehicle.
That makes the buying process simpler, but it still requires a wheel check. A Base model is not automatically on one size and a 4Matic is not automatically on the other. The safest approach is to verify the size molded into the current tire sidewall and confirm that the replacement matches the wheel diameter already on the GLK350.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350?
Start with the correct size: 235/50R19 for a 19-inch wheel or 235/45R20 for a 20-inch wheel. Both are radial fitments for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350, so the first decision is wheel diameter. From there, the selection should match how the vehicle is actually used, whether that means regular road driving, occasional use, or replacing an existing wheel-and-tire package.
It also helps to compare the condition and originality of the current setup. A GLK350 with unchanged wheels should stay with the tire size tied to that rim, while a vehicle with aftermarket wheels deserves a closer check for width, clearance, and overall compatibility. Matching the tire to the wheel already in service is more important than choosing by appearance alone.
How do I choose between the available 235/50R19 and 235/45R20 tires for a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350?
The choice is determined by the wheel diameter on the vehicle, not by preference alone. A 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350 with 19-inch wheels takes 235/50R19, and one with 20-inch wheels takes 235/45R20. Since both sizes share the same nominal width, the visible difference is tied mainly to sidewall profile and rim size.
That means the right comparison starts at the wheel itself. Check the current tire sidewall, confirm the wheel diameter, and make sure the replacement size matches the installed rim. If the GLK350 has been modified, compare the full wheel-and-tire setup carefully so the new tires work with the present suspension and fender clearances.
What does 235/45R20 mean on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350?
On a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350, 235/45R20 is a metric radial size. The 235 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 45 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 20 is the rim diameter in inches. It is one of the two primary GLK350 fitments and belongs on a 20-inch wheel.
Understanding the code helps prevent ordering the wrong size when the vehicle has larger wheels. This size is not simply a styling variation of the 19-inch option, because the rim diameter is different. A quick sidewall check on the current tires is usually the easiest way to confirm whether the GLK350 is using this 20-inch fitment.
Restoration & Appearance
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350 restoration or preservation project?
Yes, correct tire fitment still matters on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350, even though it is a newer vehicle than most traditional collector cars. The GLK350 uses modern radial sizing, and keeping the proper 235/50R19 or 235/45R20 fitment helps preserve the wheel-and-tire proportions intended for the vehicle’s design and road behavior.
For a preservation-minded owner, the goal is usually consistency rather than vintage sidewall styling. Confirm the wheel diameter already on the vehicle, then stay with the matching tire size unless the wheel package has been changed deliberately. If originality is especially important, compare the current setup with period sales literature or marque-specific references before making visible changes.
How does tire size affect the appearance of a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350?
Tire size has a noticeable effect on the stance of a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350 because the two fitments pair the same nominal width with different wheel diameters and aspect ratios. A 235/50R19 presents the vehicle on a 19-inch rim, while a 235/45R20 places it on a 20-inch rim with a shorter sidewall profile.
That difference can change the visual balance between tire sidewall and wheel face, even when the overall dimensions are fairly close. Owners trying to preserve the vehicle’s intended appearance should match the replacement tire to the wheel setup already on the GLK350 rather than mixing sizes based on looks alone.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350. Wheel changes, altered offsets, suspension lowering, and body or fender work can all influence whether 235/50R19 or 235/45R20 remains the appropriate choice. Even though both sizes belong to the GLK350 range, a modified vehicle may need closer inspection before replacement tires are selected.
A careful check should include wheel diameter, wheel width, clearance at full steering lock, and any signs that the current tires sit unusually close to suspension or body components. That matters most when the GLK350 no longer carries its original wheel setup. Replacing like for like is safest only after confirming the present combination is truly the one being retained.
What should I inspect before driving a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350 on new tires?
Before driving a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, verify that the tire size matches the installed rim diameter, and check that inflation is set correctly for the vehicle’s use. It also helps to look over the suspension and steering components so the new tires are not being asked to compensate for worn hardware.
A short road check afterward is equally important. Listen for rubbing, feel for vibration, and confirm that the tires clear the body and suspension through normal turning and movement. On a vehicle that has sat for long periods or has had wheel changes, those simple checks can catch issues before they become a larger fitment or wear problem.
How often should tires on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350 be inspected?
Tires on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Trucks GLK350 should be inspected regularly, especially if the vehicle is driven infrequently or stored for stretches between uses. A routine visual check for uneven wear, cracking, cuts, bulges, and air loss helps catch problems early. Since this GLK350 can run either 19-inch or 20-inch fitments, size accuracy should also be part of that inspection.
Inspection matters most before longer drives and after seasonal storage. A quick look at tread condition, sidewalls, and inflation can reveal aging or damage that is easy to miss on a low-mileage vehicle. Keeping the tires clean, properly inflated, and protected from prolonged heat and sunlight also helps maintain road readiness.
