During a walk-around exterior inspection, which major systems should be checked?

• A. Tires and wheels, brakes (visual), lights and reflectors, cargo securement, and fluid leaks.
• B. Engine, transmission, exhaust, steering.
• C. Air conditioning, radio, seat fabric.
• D. Driver's seat position and mirror adjustment.

Answer: (A)

In a walk-around exterior inspection you’re focusing on safety-critical items you can see from outside the vehicle. The key parts to check are tires and wheels for proper inflation, tread, and damage; brakes (visual) for obvious issues like leaks or wear that you can spot around the wheels; lights and reflectors to ensure all signals and illumination work; cargo securement to make sure nothing can shift or fall off during transit; and any fluid leaks showing up under the vehicle that could signal a problem.

The other options involve components not typically assessed during the exterior walk-around. Engine, transmission, exhaust, and steering are things you usually inspect from under the hood or as part of other checks, not this exterior pass. Items like the air conditioning, radio, or seat fabric, and driver’s seat or mirror adjustments are inside the cab or are not safety-critical exterior checks.