The blocking of the steering (the locking of the steering wheel) will not activate as long as the “ignition” of the motor vehicle is on, meaning the key is inserted in the ignition and turned to the first position, even if the engine is not running.
The power steering helps handle the steering wheel with minimal physical effort, but for it to function the engine of the motor vehicle must be running. Therefore, if you intend to tow a car with power steering that has a broken‑down engine, you must take into consideration that handling the steering wheel requires greater physical effort and, therefore, the towing must be carried out with special attention. We must remember that if the power steering no longer works, this does not mean that the steering system no longer works; it will function, but it will be handled more heavily.
We must take into account that it is prohibited to tow a motor vehicle whose steering system is defective. In this case it may be towed only if the towing is carried out by suspending the steering wheels.
You are allowed to tow the motor vehicle with power steering that has a broken‑down engine, as long as its steering system works. If its steering system does not work, it may be towed only if the towing is carried out by suspending the steering wheels.
The correct answer is: B
Regulation** - Article 157
(1) Towing a motor vehicle, agricultural or forestry tractor is carried out with the observance of the following rules:
a) the drivers of the towing and, respectively, towed motor vehicles, agricultural or forestry tractors must hold valid driving licences for the categories to which each of the motor vehicles, agricultural or forestry tractors belongs;
b) the towing motor vehicle, agricultural or forestry tractor must not tow a motor vehicle, agricultural or forestry tractor heavier than its own mass, except when the towing is carried out by a motor vehicle, agricultural or forestry tractor specially intended for breakdown service;
c) the towing must be carried out by means of a metal bar with a length of at most 4 m. The car whose steering mechanism and braking system are not defective may be towed with an approved flexible connection, with a length of 3-5 m. The bar or flexible connection must be fixed to the towing elements with which the motor vehicles are equipped;
d) the driver of the towed motor vehicle, agricultural or forestry tractor is obliged to signal accordingly to the signals made by the driver of the towing motor vehicle, agricultural or forestry tractor. When the lighting and signalling system does not work, towing it at night and in reduced visibility conditions is prohibited, and during the day it may be towed if on the rear side it has applied the inscription "No signalling", as well as the sign "Other dangers".
(2) If the towing is carried out by suspending with a crane or supporting on a towing platform the front part of the towed motor vehicle, agricultural or forestry tractor, then no person must be inside it.
(3) Is prohibited the towing of a two‑wheeled motor vehicle, with or without sidecar, of the motor vehicle, agricultural or forestry tractor whose steering system does not function or which is not registered or recorded or when the road is covered with black ice, ice or snow. It is also prohibited the towing of two or more motor vehicles, agricultural or forestry tractors, carts, vehicles which are normally pulled or pushed by hand or agricultural machinery.
(4) By exception from the provisions of paragraph (3), the towing of a motor vehicle, agricultural or forestry tractor whose steering system does not function is allowed only when the towing is carried out by suspending the steering wheels of the towed motor vehicle, agricultural or forestry tractor with a crane or by supporting the steering wheels of the towed motor vehicle, agricultural or forestry tractor on a towing platform.
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** Regulation = REGULATION for the application of OUG 195/2002 updated (Road Traffic Code Regulation)
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