Airstream Interstate 2020 - How Overloading Affects Your Tires; Proper Tire Inflation; Tires and Wheels; Under Inflation

Sprinter Van
7-4 2020 Interstate
Proper Tire Ination
The level of air in your tires affects your vehicle’s
overall performance� Not even the highest quality tire
will perform well if it’s not inated properly. The correct
pressure varies from vehicle to vehicle and depends
in part upon driver preference� Each vehicle has a
recommended ination pressure, usually found on a
placard� Check the Sprinter manual for all weights and
tire information and the placard location�
Correct tire ination is a key component in tire care.
The recommended ination pressures for your tires are
indicated on the certication label or in your owner’s
manual� Since touring coach’s can be loaded with
many different congurations, the load on each tire will
vary� For this reason, air pressure should be checked
based on the load on each individual tire. Cold Ination
Pressure should be adjusted to handle the maximum
tire load, and all tires on the axle should carry the same
ination pressure. Cold tire ination pressure is the tire
pressure checked in the morning before you drive more
than a few miles or before rising ambient temperatures
or the sun’s radiant heat affect it� Check your tire air
pressure at least once a month, before each trip, and
each morning you drive during a trip� Tire pressure
should be checked cold, as tire pressure ratings have
been designed with typical running heat/pressure build
up in mind� Make sure the valves and caps are free of
dirt and moisture�
Under Ination
Under ination brings a higher risk of susceptibility
to damage due to road hazards, reduces tire casing
durability, and causes a loss in fuel economy, plus
uneven or irregular tire wear. Severe under ination
brings about an increased risk of tread separation,
handling difculties, and possibly tire failure, which is
caused by overheating�
NOTE
It is a common practice for motorhome owners to
lower tire pressure in their search for a smoother
ride. This is not only dangerous, it is relatively
ineffective, and the difference in ride quality is
not signicant. When minimum ination pressure
requirements are not met, tire durability and
optimum operating conditions are compromised.
Tire ination pressure should always meet at least
the minimum guidelines for vehicle weight.
• It may be necessary to inate your tires at a truck
stop or truck service center in order to achieve
adequate air pressure for your coach’s needs
• Only permanent air seal metal valve caps should be
used�
• Be safe - if a tire has been run 20 percent under
inated, it must be dismounted and inspected by a
trained professional. It should not be inated without
a full inspection or without using a safety cage� Use
a calibrated gauge� If your tire is rated for higher
ination pressures, a special gauge designed for
larger tires will be required�
• Don’t bleed air from warm tires to reduce pressure
buildup�
• Don’t inate tires to cold psi rating beyond rim
specications.
How Overloading Affects Your Tires
Tire pressure is what enables your touring coach tire to
support loads� Overloading your tires can have serious
consequences for passengers and your touring coach�
Too much weight can cause stress on your touring
coach’s suspension system, brake failure, shock
absorber damage, handling and steering problems,
irregular tire wear and possible tire failure� Excessive
loads or under ination can lead to an excessive
amount of heat and tire failure� If you discover that your
tires cannot handle the load, lighten the weight of the
load on your tires�
Tires and Wheels
(This section is partially excerpted from the Mercedes-
Benz Sprinter Van Operator’s Manual�)
Check tires regularly for even tread wear, tread depth
(note legal requirements), and signs of external
damage� Use only wheels and tires of the same size,
make, and pattern�
Do not install tires that are not approved for the size
and type of wheel installed on the vehicle itself� Only
use those wheel sizes that were delivered to you by
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Sprinter dealer�
Use only wheels and tires that have been tested and
approved by the vehicle manufacturer�
Break in the tires at moderate speeds for a distance of
about 65 miles�