If your vehicle has hydraulic brakes and the brake pedal goes to the floor on a level road, which statement is true?

If your vehicle has hydraulic brakes and the brake pedal goes to the floor on a level road, which statement is true?

• A. Pumping the pedal may bring pressure up so you can stop the vehicle
• B. Press harder to ensure stopping
• C. Switch to the parking brake
• D. Turn off the engine

Answer: (A)

When hydraulic brakes are working, pushing the brake pedal creates fluid pressure that activates the brakes. If the pedal goes all the way to the floor, pressure is being lost—often due to a leak or a faulty master cylinder. Pumping the brake pedal can briefly re-pressurize the system, allowing you to stop the vehicle more effectively in the moment. Pushing harder won’t fix the underlying pressure loss and may waste time or make the situation worse. Using the parking brake or turning off the engine aren’t reliable fixes for a loss of brake pressure: the parking brake can be dangerous to rely on at speed, and turning off the engine removes power assist and can make braking and steering harder. Focus on re-pressurizing with pumping, then slow safely by downshifting and steering to a stop.

When hydraulic brakes are working, pushing the brake pedal creates fluid pressure that activates the brakes. If the pedal goes all the way to the floor, pressure is being lost—often due to a leak or a faulty master cylinder. Pumping the brake pedal can briefly re-pressurize the system, allowing you to stop the vehicle more effectively in the moment. Pushing harder won’t fix the underlying pressure loss and may waste time or make the situation worse. Using the parking brake or turning off the engine aren’t reliable fixes for a loss of brake pressure: the parking brake can be dangerous to rely on at speed, and turning off the engine removes power assist and can make braking and steering harder. Focus on re-pressurizing with pumping, then slow safely by downshifting and steering to a stop.