The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer to the question is c) Should be checked before each trip.
Tire pressure and condition are fundamental to a vehicle’s safety, performance, and efficiency. As the only parts of the vehicle that make direct contact with the road, their integrity is paramount. Checking them before each trip is the most rigorous and safest practice a driver can adopt. This routine, often called a pre-trip inspection, allows a driver to identify potential problems like low pressure, visible damage such as cuts or bulges, or embedded objects like nails before they escalate into dangerous situations on the road.
The other options are incorrect for significant safety reasons. Option (d), suggesting they do not need to be checked, is dangerously false. Tires naturally lose pressure over time and are susceptible to damage. Likewise, option (b) is incorrect because tire inspection is a core component of regular vehicle maintenance. Option (a), checking them “occasionally,” is too vague and inadequate. A tire can lose a critical amount of pressure or sustain damage in a short period. A slow leak could cause a tire to become dangerously underinflated between occasional checks, leading to poor handling, increased fuel consumption, and a significantly higher risk of a blowout due to heat buildup.
While a monthly pressure check with a gauge is a common minimum recommendation for personal vehicles, a quick visual inspection before every drive is a crucial habit. This habit ensures that any immediate, visible issues are caught. For any driving test or safety curriculum, promoting the highest standard of care is the goal. Therefore, checking tire pressure and condition before each trip is the most responsible and correct answer, as it proactively minimizes the risk of tire related accidents.
