CES vehicle checks help airmen stay safe, save money Published Nov. 4, 2012 By Senior Airman Andrew McLaughlin 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- With winter on its way, vehicle safety is important as ever, and checking the little things can prevent potentially big problems. 434th Civil Engineer Squadron Airmen conducted their annual vehicle safety check during the November unit training assembly here. "We are providing vehicle safety checks for winter," said Senior Airman Kenneth Ray, 434th CES electrical systems journeyman. CES members checked tire pressure, made pressure adjustments as needed and looked under the hood to check oil levels and point out any potential problems. This service was open to any Grissom Airmen who wanted their vehicle checked. Proper air pressure in tires not only helps improve safety, but it has another benefit as well. "It's good for efficiency and increased mileage," said Tech. Sgt. Daniel Knouff, 434th CES electrical systems craftsman. Ray also stressed the importance of this benefit to drivers. "If air is low, you use more gas," he said. "Proper air pressure saves you money." According to a study done by Carnegie Melon University, the average person who drives 12,000 miles yearly on under-inflated tires uses about 144 extra gallons of gas, at a cost of $576 a year based on $4 gallon calculation. The study also states that any vehicle running on soft tires is contributing as much as 1.5 extra tons (2,880 pounds) of greenhouse gases to the environment annually. Grissom is home to the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter.
