Ask the Mechanic

Steve Thompson, Contributing Columnist

Always be aware of tire condition and pressure on all your tires. That thin layer of air and rubber is the only thing between you and danger on the road. I'm as guilty as anyone of hooking to a rested grain trailer and heading to the elevator or a semiretired cattle trailer and heading to a cattle sale without checking tire pressure. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that, on average, there are nearly 11,000 tire-related motor vehicle crashes with approximately 200 deaths each year, mainly caused by poor tire maintenance. Don't be a statistic: Check the air pressure. As Alexander Pope said, "To err is human."

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-- Email Steve Thompson care of askthemechaniccolumn@gmail.com, and be sure to include your contact information and phone number.

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