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***image1***Don Breton’s motto is “safety has no price,” and he’s put those words into action by initiating free car inspections at the U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern’s auto skills on Pulaski Barracks.
Winter Safety Day – the garrison’s third free car inspection for the community – is from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 21 at Pulaski Auto Skills.
“Our goal and purpose is to try and avoid car problems that could leave our patrons stranded out on the road, late at night,” said Mr. Breton, the Pulaski Auto Skills manager.
More than 300 drivers found out whether or not their vehicles were safe to drive at last year’s Winter Safety Day and this year’s Spring Safety Day. Mr. Breton said his intention when initiating these free inspections was to hold them twice a year – once in the winter to ensure patrons’ vehicles are safe for bad weather and then again in the spring for vacations and road trips.
“We have found (through these inspections) several hub bearings, tie rods and ball joints that were in poor condition – all to do with the front-end – which means, in every case, the car was not safe to drive on the road,” said Mr. Breton.
Ranging from checking windshield wipers to lifting vehicles up to check underneath for any safety concerns, inspections take about 20 to 30 minutes. These free inspections are quite in depth and could cost about $80 to $100 in the states, said Mr. Breton.
“Our hands physically test the front suspension so we are checking specifically for ball joints, tie rods and hub bearings,” he said. “We also do visual inspections to the best of our ability on brakes.”
Created by Mr. Breton, inspection sheets are very thorough – just ask Staff Sgt. Jonathan Vinson, from the garrison Chaplain’s Office, who was with his wife
getting both of their cars inspected at both previous safety days.
“Pretty detailed – they checked all the important stuff and even made sure we had ice scrapers in our car,” said Staff Sergeant Vinson at last year’s Winter Safety Day.
Headlights: check. Parking brakes: check. Fluids: check. It’s all checked, said Mr. Breton.
“Another important thing that we caught was incorrect tire pressure,” said Steve Pelletier, the garrison’s Family Morale Welfare and Recreation director. “We
corrected it on every single car – more than 200 – at the Spring Safety Day. This is not only a safety concern for Soldiers, but it also saves them money.”
Once a safety problem was identified at the last inspections, patrons were not left without answers or avenues on how to get their cars fixed.
Mr. Breton said his staff will provide as much assistance as possible such as where the best place is to get it fixed or Web sites to order parts. He added that his staff has already made sure that generally-needed items such as windshield wipers, first aid kits and warning triangles are stocked and ready for retail.
“I already have it on my schedule,” said Staff Sergeant Vinson’s wife, Emma, in response to whether or not they will be at this year’s Winter Safety Day. “A free car inspection – can’t beat that.”
