2023 Airstream Touring Coach Interstate 19 Changing Tire User Manual
With its painstaking design, the 2023 Airstream Touring Coach Interstate 19 redefines the travel experience, and part of that experience is a dedication to self-sufficiency while traveling. The fundamentals of replacing a tire, tightening wheel bolts correctly, and the significance of tire rotation are highlighted in this introduction. The 2023 Airstream Touring Coach Interstate 19 equips travelers with the knowledge and skills to confidently navigate their travels, from unforeseen roadside problems to basic maintenance. This overview encourages customers to enjoy the freedom of the open road while guaranteeing the coach’s best performance by placing a strong emphasis on safety, efficiency, and self-reliance.
2023 Airstream Touring Coach Interstate Owners Manual
Changing A Tire
(Partially excerpted from the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van Operator’s Manual)
After changing a wheel, the wheel nuts must be tightened once the vehicle has been driven for about 30 miles.
If new or repainted wheels are fitted, the wheel nuts must be retightened again after about 600 to 3000 miles. Do not use remolded tires.
WARNING
Fitting wheel sizes other than those supplied by Sprinter to the vehicle will change the Sprinter’s handling characteristics and may lead to an accident resulting in severe personal injuries, death, and property damage.
Interstate 19 Tire Change
NOTE
Read the Sprinter manual for wheel torque and wheel tightening procedures.
CAUTION
Changing a tire on a touring coach chassis is a physically demanding procedure. It requires specialized tools and knowledge of safety procedures. Only you can determine your knowledge base and physical ability. Don’t take any unnecessary risks. Find a safe area to park your unit, and call a tire service center and supply them with the information in the Sprinter Manual if you have any doubts about changing a tire.
Changing Tire Procedure
Flat Tire
If you get a flat tire while driving, gradually decrease your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly and slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road. The pressure of the spare wheel (sold separately) should be checked regularly (at least after every tenth time at the filling station). The vehicle tool kit is located in a hatch under the front passenger foot well.
WARNING
Use a jack (sold separately) designed exclusively for jacking up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets built into either side of the vehicle. To help avoid personal injury, use a jack only to lift the vehicle during a wheel change. Never get beneath the vehicle while it is supported by a jack.
Precautions When Changing a Wheel
- Keep hands and feet away from the area under the lifted vehicle.
- Always firmly set the parking brake and block wheels before raising the vehicle with the jack.
- Do not disengage the parking brake while the vehicle is raised.
- Always use the jack on a level surface.
- Do not jack the vehicle up more than 1-2 in. between the tire and the surface. Otherwise, the vehicle may tip over and may cause serious injury or death to you or others.
- Be sure that the jack arm is fully seated in the jack take-up bracket.
- Always lower the vehicle onto the sufficient capacity jack stands before working under the vehicle.
- Do not damage, grease, or oil wheel nuts or stud threads.
Procedure
- Park the vehicle on a firm, level, non-slippery surface.
- Switch on the hazard warning flasher switch, apply the parking brake, and place the transmission selector in “P”.
- Everyone must leave the vehicle before you jack it up.
- Everyone must leave the danger zone before you jack up the vehicle. Danger zones vary with location. Take a minute and look at what might happen if the vehicle falls off the jack and rolls. Set up your danger zone.
- The vehicle must be safeguarded by legal regulations (such as using a warning triangle).
- Prevent the vehicle from rolling away by blocking wheels with wheel chocks (not supplied with the vehicle) or sizable woodblocks or stones. On a level road place one chock in front of and one behind the wheel that is diagonally opposite to the wheel being changed. When changing a wheel on a mild uphill or downhill grade, place chocks on the downhill side blocking both wheels of the other axle. Do not jack the vehicle up on a steep grade.
2023 Airstream Touring Coach Interstate User Manual
WARNING
Do not change wheels on a steep uphill or downhill grade. The vehicle may begin to move and fall from the jack, which could cause property damage, personal injury, and/or death.
Jack
Read, understand, and follow the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Operator’s manual instructions, cautions, and warnings for changing wheel and jack point locations.
- Loosen the wheel nuts before raising the vehicle.
- Close the release valve on the jack.
- Assemble the pump lever provided and insert it into the socket on the jack.
- Secure the lever by turning it clockwise in the socket.
- Position the jack under the appropriate jack point and raise the vehicle by pumping the lever.
WARNING
A jack (sold separately) is intended only for raising the vehicle briefly, for instance when changing a wheel. The jack must be placed on a firm, flat surface only. Do not crawl under the vehicle while it is raised with a jack. Do not start the engine while the vehicle is jacked up. Do not jack the vehicle up more than 1-2 in. between the tire and the surface. The vehicle may tip over and cause serious injury or death to you or others. Jack stands must always be used while working beneath the vehicle. Failure to follow these precautions could result in property damage, personal injury, and/or death.
Installing and Removing A Wheel
- Loosen the wheel nuts.
- Jack up the vehicle until the wheel is clear of the ground.
- Unscrew the wheel nuts and remove the wheel (keep the wheel nuts clean).
2023 Airstream Touring Coach Interstate User Guide
NOTE
If the vehicle moves forward or backward while it is being jacked up, lower it, stabilize the vehicle, and reposition the jack. When the vehicle is jacked up, the jack must stand vertically (plumb-line).
Mounting a New Wheel
- Before fitting the spare wheel, clean rust, and dirt off the contact surfaces of the wheel and the wheel hub and from the wheel nuts.
Note the specified wheel and tire size, tire load capacity, and speed code.
- Do not change the tire’s direction of rotation.
- Do not damage, grease, or oil wheel nuts or their threads.
Centering Wheels With Wheel Nuts
- If dual assemblies are used, before placement, the inner wheel should be inspected to ensure all ball bearing rings are in the proper position.
- Install the wheel and snug the wheel nuts.
- Slightly tighten the wheel nuts.
Lowering the Vehicle
- Slowly open the jack release valve to lower the vehicle until the tire is resting on the ground.
- Tighten the wheel nuts in a crosswise pattern, as specified, with a torque wrench. For tire pressure and wheel bolt torque procedures, see the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van Operator’s Manual.
- Remove the jack and stow.
- Check the tire pressure. For tire pressures see the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Operator’s Manual.
- Retighten the wheel nuts to the specified torque with a torque wrench after a distance of approximately 30 miles.
WARNING
Only certain tires meeting the tire size/load/speed index ratings contained in the Tire Pressure Tables, found in the Index Section of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter’s Operators or Owner’s Manual, are certified to conform to FMVSS 120 for the Sprinter Vehicle at this time. Please check the sidewalls of your originally-equipped tires for specific makes/sizes, and speed load ratings when you need to replace your tires. To prevent accidents, injury, or possible death, use only the correct tires for your tire replacement.
RV Wheel Maintenance
Wheel Bolt Tightening
Tighten all wheel nuts evenly in the crosswise sequence indicated.
Efficient Wheel Bolt Tightening
NOTE
Consult the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Operator manual for extensive wheel tightening and wheel torque procedures, cautions, and warnings.
WARNING
For safety reasons, the wheel tightening torque must be checked immediately after changing a tire and again after 30 miles to 140 ft-lbs. The wheels could otherwise come loose.
Tire Rotation
Front and rear tires perform different jobs and can wear differently depending on the types of roads driven, driving habits, etc. To obtain the longest tire life, you should inspect and rotate your tires regularly. Many automotive dealers and tire dealers will perform a free tire inspection to look for uneven or abnormal tire wear.
Tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. For the longest tire life, any time irregular wear is seen have the tires checked, alignment checked, and tires rotated by your truck or tire dealer. Has the cause of uneven wear been corrected?
Rotation Pattern For Wheels
NOTE
Read the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Operator’s Manual for complete instructions on tire rotation, installation, and maintenance.
Tire Safety Insights
Support
Since touring coaches may sit for long periods it is important to properly support the tires if blocks are used for leveling.
Extreme caution must be taken to ensure that the tires are fully supported when using blocks to level the touring coach. The load on the tire should be evenly distributed on the block. If not done, the steel cables in the sidewall of the tires may be damaged and could lead to premature fatigue of the sidewall.
Correct
The CORRECT method is shown in Figure 1. The tire is supporting the full load. Please note that the block is wider than the tread and longer than the tire’s footprint. This provides maximum support to the tire and ensures that the load is evenly distributed throughout the tire’s footprint area.
Incorrect
The INCORRECT method is shown in Figure 2: A portion of the tire is supporting the full load.
WARNING
Tires that are incorrectly supported may be damaged, which could lead to casing failure resulting in serious injury or property damage. If, on previous occasions, the tires have been incorrectly supported, hidden damage may be present. Please contact your local tire dealer and request an inspection and a determination of possible damage.
FAQS
If you encounter a flat tire, safely pull over to a designated area, consult the owner’s manual for guidance, and proceed with changing the tire.
The coach typically comes equipped with a spare tire, jack, lug wrench, and other necessary tools for changing a tire.
Regularly check the wheel bolt tightness, especially after installing new tires or after any maintenance work, to ensure they are properly secured.
It’s recommended to use the lug wrench provided with the coach to ensure the proper torque and avoid damaging the wheel bolts.
Tire rotation involves moving tires to different positions to ensure even wear. Refer to the owner’s manual for recommended rotation patterns and intervals.
Yes, tire rotation is still necessary for even wear, and the owner’s manual will provide specific instructions for the dual rear wheel configuration.
Tire rotation promotes even tire wear, extends tire life, and enhances the overall performance and handling of the coach.
Tire rotation can be performed by the owner, but it’s essential to follow the guidelines in the owner’s manual for proper procedure and safety.
If you notice vibrations, rattling, or unusual noises while driving, it’s advisable to check the wheel bolts for proper tightness.
If you experience difficulty, do not force the lug wrench. Seek professional assistance or consult the owner’s manual for guidance.
It’s recommended to use a torque wrench for precise tightening, as impact wrenches can potentially over-tighten the wheel bolts.
Always ensure the coach is on a flat, stable surface, engage the parking brake, and follow the safety guidelines outlined in the owner’s manual.
Store the spare tire in the designated location, regularly check its pressure, and inspect it for any signs of damage to ensure it’s ready for use when needed.
Before a long journey, inspect tires for proper inflation, tread wear, and any visible damage. Address any concerns before hitting the road for a safe and enjoyable travel experience.
Useful links
View Full User Guide: Airstream Touring Coach Interstate 19 2023 User Manual
Download Manuals: https://www.airstream.com/owners/manuals/
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