Virginia State Inspection Practice Test

When inspecting power steering systems, what must be functioning?

1. The engine must be running

2. The vehicle must be in reverse

3. The lights must be operational

4. The tires must be inflated

The correct answer is: The engine must be running

The engine must be running when inspecting power steering systems because the assistance provided by these systems is reliant on the operation of the engine. Power steering systems often use hydraulic fluid that is circulated by a pump, which is driven by the engine. If the engine is not running, the pump will not function, and you won't get accurate feedback on how the steering system operates under normal conditions. Operating the vehicle with the engine off can lead to a misleading appraisal of the power steering's effectiveness, as manual steering will feel much heavier and unrepresentative of how the system performs while in motion. This makes it essential for the engine to be running during the inspection to ensure all components of the power steering system can be assessed accurately.