Tires; Tires; Vehicle Placard And Tire Inflation Pressure Label; Proper Tire Inflation - Airstream INTERSTATE 24 2024 Owner's Manual

Sprinter Van

Tires

Under inflation or over inflation of tires is dangerous.
Under inflation can result in tire flexing, heat build-up,
tire overloading, bad handling, bad fuel economy, and
uneven wear. Over inflation can result in abnormal
wear, bad handling, and a harsh ride�
Tire inflation pressures should be checked as per
the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter's Owner's manual and
when significantly changing the load you plan to carry
in your touring coach� Set the correct tire pressure
before loading the vehicle. Always check tire inflation
pressures when the tires are "cold�" Front and rear
pressures are shown for each model and GVWR,
and are based on the GVWR and front and rear axle
ratings (GAWRs) printed on your vehicle VIN plate
and certification label. Tires must be inflated to these
pressures when the vehicle is fully loaded or an axle
GAWR is reached�
For tire size and inflation pressures, see section 4, Tire
Size with Maximum Inflation Pressure Cold.
Proper front end alignment improves tire tread mileage�
Your front-end suspension parts should be inspected
periodically and aligned when needed� Improper
alignment may or may not cause the vehicle to vibrate�
However, improper toe alignment will cause front tires
to roll at an angle, which will result in faster tire wear�
Incorrect caster or camber alignment will cause your
front tires to wear unevenly and can cause the vehicle
to "pull" to the left or right�
Vehicle Placard and Tire Inflation Pressure
Label
The TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION placard
supplies information on the size and the cold tire
inflation pressure for the original equipment tires
supplied with your vehicle� Check the Sprinter manual
for all weights and tire information placard location�
A MOTORHOME TIRE SAFETY ADDENDUM is
included with your Airstream owner's packet� Please
take the time to read, understand, and follow the
information contained in the booklet�
7-4

Proper Tire Inflation

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 inflated properly. The correct
pressure varies from vehicle to vehicle and depends
in part upon driver preference� Each vehicle has a
recommended inflation pressure, usually found on a
placard� Check the Sprinter manual for all weights and
tire information and the placard location�
Correct tire inflation is a key component in tire care.
The recommended inflation pressures for your tires are
indicated on the certification label or in your owner's
manual� Since touring coach's can be loaded with
many different configurations, the load on each tire will
vary� For this reason, air pressure should be checked
based on the load on each individual tire. Cold Inflation
Pressure should be adjusted to handle the maximum
tire load, and all tires on the axle should carry the same
inflation pressure. Cold tire inflation 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 Inflation

Under inflation 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 inflation
brings about an increased risk of tread separation,
handling difficulties, 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 significant. When minimum inflation pressure
requirements are not met, tire durability and
optimum operating conditions are compromised.
Tire inflation pressure should always meet at least
the minimum guidelines for vehicle weight.
2024 Interstate 24