When you drive a bus, how can you identify excessive clearance of the steering mechanism?
Show the correct answer
Correct answer
A. By an increased idle movement of the steering wheel.
Explanation
In the photo, you can see a bus driver's position with a large steering wheel and a dashboard. You will recognise excessive play (clearance) in the steering mechanism by increased idle movement (free play) of the steering wheel - answer A.
The Road Traffic Act requires a vehicle to allow easy and reliable use of the steering controls, and the Regulation on the technical conditions of vehicles requires the steering system to allow an easy, quick and reliable change of direction. Play means that you can turn the steering wheel by a few degrees or even more than ten degrees before the wheels start to turn - the bus reacts with a delay and "wanders" in the lane. Wear of the tyre on one of the rear wheels (answer B) is more likely caused by the geometry of the rear axle or by tyre pressure, because in a typical bus the rear wheels do not steer. Lower fuel consumption (answer C) has nothing to do with play. Excessive play is a fault with which you must not drive.
Legal basis: Art. 66 para. 1 point 5 of the Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym); § 9 para. 1b of the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure on the technical conditions of vehicles and the scope of their necessary equipment