If you believe your brakes have failed, what should be your first action?

• A. Pump the brake pedal
• B. Turn off the engine
• C. Swerve to the left
• D. Downshift to a lower gear

Answer: (A)

Brakes rely on hydraulic pressure to push the pads against the discs. If that pressure drops, the quickest way to restore some braking is to pump the brake pedal. Quick pumping helps build hydraulic pressure again in the lines, giving you back some braking force to slow and steer toward a safe place to stop. Turning off the engine would remove power assist and make braking harder; swerving is dangerous and not a controlled way to stop; downshifting can help slow you with engine braking but it doesn’t immediately restore hydraulic pressure and isn’t the first action to take. Once you have regained some braking, continue to slow smoothly, steer to a safe location, and use lower gears and other backup methods as needed to stop.