A vehicle has hard steering at low speeds, and the engine occasionally stalls while parallel parking. What is the most likely cause?

In the scenario described, the hard steering at low speeds combined with the engine occasionally stalling while parallel parking suggests a relationship between the power steering system and the engine's ability to maintain idle under load. The most likely cause is a dirty throttle body.

A dirty throttle body can restrict airflow into the engine, which may lead to poor throttle response and can cause the engine to stall, especially when additional loads are placed on it, such as when turning the steering wheel during low-speed maneuvers. As the steering wheel is turned, the power steering pump is engaged, requiring the engine to compensate for this additional load. If there is insufficient airflow due to a dirty throttle body, it can result in a lower engine RPM, contributing to stalling behavior.

While other options may suggest various mechanical issues, none directly link the symptoms of hard steering and stalling as strongly as a dirty throttle body does in this context. For instance, a weak power steering pump could indeed cause hard steering, but this would not typically lead to engine stalling unless it was accompanied by severe engine performance issues. Similarly, worn steering gear or worn ball joints would not result in engine stalling when the steering effort increases. Therefore, a dirty throttle body is the most logical explanation for