When inspecting hydraulic brakes with power assist, you should do all of the following EXCEPT
- apply the brakes moderately and hold
- pump the brake pedal several times
- run the engine at 1200 rpm ✓
- start the engine and stop
Answer: C. run the engine at 1200 rpm
Running the engine at 1200 rpm is not part of the hydraulic brake power-assist check — the handbook never gives a set engine speed for it.
Why this is the answer
The handbook's hydraulic brake check with power assist goes like this: with the engine off, pump the pedal several times to use up the power assist, then apply the brakes moderately. Now start the engine. A good system makes the pedal drop slightly and then hold. If the pedal keeps dropping, or doesn't drop at all (no power assist), shut the engine off and have the vehicle taken out of service for a professional inspection. Nothing in the procedure asks you to hold the engine at any particular rpm.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. apply the brakes moderately and hold — Applying the brakes moderately is exactly what the handbook tells you to do before you start the engine and watch the pedal.
- B. pump the brake pedal several times — Pumping the pedal with the engine stopped is the required first step, because it removes the stored power assist so the test means something.
- D. start the engine and stop — Starting the engine, then stopping it if the pedal behaves badly, is the core of the check, since the pedal should drop slightly and then hold.
Remember it
Engine off, pump the pedal dry, hold moderate pressure, then start up — listen for the pedal to drop a little and stay put.