You are checking your steering and exhaust systems in a pretrip inspection. It is necessary to fix this before driving...

• A. Steering wheel play of more than 10 degrees (2 inches on a 20-inch steering wheel)
• B. Steering wheel play of more than 5 degrees
• C. No steering wheel play is allowed
• D. Any play is acceptable as long as the vehicle moves

Answer: (A)

In a pretrip, you’re confirming the steering system responds promptly and remains tight. If the steering wheel has more than about 10 degrees of free play (roughly 2 inches on a 20-inch wheel), it signals wear or looseness in the steering components that should be repaired before driving. This amount of play can delay or mislead wheel movement, reducing your ability to react quickly in traffic and increasing the risk of losing control. A small amount of play is normal, but it must stay within the 10-degree limit; options that call for less, more than 10, or any play at all don’t fit the safety standard.