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

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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.