How Overloading Affects Your Tires; Tires And Wheels; Tire Grip; Hydroplaning - Airstream INTERSTATE X 2024 Owner's Manual

WARNING
Due to RISK OF EXPLOSION damaged tires or
tires run with more than a 20% underinflation
(approximate) must be dismounted, inspected by
a trained professional, and should not be inflated
without using a safety cage.
• Don't bleed air from warm tires to reduce pressure
buildup�
• Don't inflate tires to cold psi rating beyond rim
specifications.

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 inflation 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�
2024 Interstate 19X
WARNING
Always replace wheel nuts that are damaged
or rusted. Never apply oil or grease to wheel
nuts. Damaged wheel hub threads should be
repaired immediately. Incorrect mounting bolts
or improperly tightened mounting bolts can
cause the wheel to come off. This could cause an
accident. Make sure to use the correct mounting
bolts. Check tightness of wheel nuts regularly
and retighten if necessary.

Tire Grip

Tire grip is greatly reduced on a wet or icy road� Speed
and driving style must therefore be adapted to suit
road conditions� Below a tread depth of 1/8 in�, tire grip
begins to decrease rapidly on wet roads�

Hydroplaning

Depending on the depth of the water layer on the road,
hydroplaning may occur, even at low speeds and with
new tires� Reduce vehicle speed, avoid grooves in the
road, and apply brakes cautiously in the rain�
The majority of flood-related deaths are caused by
people attempting to drive through moving water�
Driving into flood waters may be the most dangerous
thing one might ever try� Considering the following:
• Most cars will float (and be swept away) in 18-24
inches of moving water� Trucks and SUVs have only
6-12 more inches of clearance� Creeks and rivers
can rise very rapidly and the road bottom can also
wash away, making the water much deeper than it
appears�
• Once cars are swept downstream, they will often roll
to one side or perhaps flip over entirely. The driver
has a few seconds to escape the vehicle� Many
drivers panic as soon as the vehicle submerges and
are found later with their seat belt intact�
Sprinter Van
7-5