Which item should be inspected for leaks during a pre-trip check?

During a pre-trip inspection, one of the critical items to check for leaks is the duals seal. This is particularly important because a leak in the duals seal, which is located in the wheel assembly, can lead to a loss of tire pressure. Low tire pressure can affect vehicle handling and safety, increasing the risk of tire blowouts while driving. Inspecting the duals seal helps ensure that all components involved in the wheel assembly are functioning properly and that there are no fluid leaks from the axle or brake systems which could compromise safety.

In contrast, while the air filter, drive shaft, and steering column are important components of the vehicle, they are not typically associated with fluid leaks that would directly impact the vehicle's immediate operability in the same critical way. The air filter is mainly responsible for filtering air entering the engine, the drive shaft transmits power from the engine to the wheels, and the steering column is related to vehicle control. These components are critical for performance and safety, but leaks from them would not usually be inspected during a pre-trip check in the same manner as the duals seal.