What should be verified about the tires during a pre-trip inspection?

The appropriate action during a pre-trip inspection regarding tires is to inspect for proper inflation and tread condition. Proper tire inflation is crucial for safe driving, as under-inflated or over-inflated tires can lead to poor handling, increased tire wear, and heightened risk of blowouts. Therefore, verifying the correct air pressure helps ensure that the vehicle performs efficiently and safely.

Additionally, checking the tread condition is essential for maintaining traction on the road, especially in wet or uneven surfaces. Worn tires can severely compromise grip and increase stopping distances, posing a significant hazard to both the driver and others on the road. Adequate tread depth is vital for channeling water away from the tire and preventing hydroplaning.

Evaluating solely the tread depth does not account for other critical elements that contribute to tire safety. Matching tires to the vehicle model and checking for cosmetic damages, while they may be relevant in different contexts, do not specifically address the performance and safety factors that a thorough pre-trip tire inspection is designed to examine. Hence, for ensuring safe operation of the vehicle, assessing both inflation and tread condition is imperative.