During a trip, which item is NOT typically checked among the following?

When preparing for a trip, especially in a commercial vehicle, a thorough pre-trip inspection is essential to ensure vehicle safety and functionality. Among the items checked are the windshield condition, instruments, and cargo covers.

The windshield condition is crucial for visibility, so ensuring it's free of cracks or obstructions is a priority. The instruments, such as gauges and warning lights, are monitored to confirm that everything is in proper working order, providing essential information about the vehicle's performance. Cargo covers are also important as they secure the load, protecting it from the elements and ensuring safety on the road.

In contrast, the color of the engine oil is not a standard item typically checked during a pre-trip inspection. While engine oil is important for the overall health of the vehicle and should eventually be checked regularly as part of maintenance, the color itself is not a primary concern prior to each trip. Instead, the focus is on the immediate operational safety and readiness of the vehicle, which is why items like the windshield condition, instruments, and cargo covers take precedence in a pre-trip checklist.