If your brake system fails and you need to slow down, which action should you perform first?

Answer: A — Try to shift to a lower gear, pump the brakes if hydraulic, use the emergency brake gradually, and steer to safety.

When brakes fail, the priority is to slow the vehicle safely while maintaining steering control. The best first move is engine braking: downshift to a lower gear so the engine resists motion and helps reduce speed without relying on the brakes. After that, if hydraulic brakes aren’t building pressure, pump the brake pedal a few times to try to restore it. If pressure returns, you can continue using the brakes normally; if not, gradually use the emergency brake while you steer toward a safe area. Keep the engine running to preserve power steering and brake assist, and aim for a safe location with your hazards on. Other approaches would leave you without control or speed reduction: turning hard to skid to a stop can cause you to lose steering, turning off the engine may remove steering and brake assist, and stopping in the middle of the road waiting for help is unsafe.