If you are driving a bus with hydraulic brakes, what should you do before testing them?

Before testing hydraulic brakes on a bus, it is crucial to pump the brake pedal several times to build up pressure in the brake system. Pumping the brakes helps ensure that the hydraulic fluid is properly circulated and that the brake pads are firmly seated against the brake rotors, allowing for an accurate assessment of the brakes' responsiveness.

This action helps the driver understand how the brakes will perform under normal conditions. It is important to establish this pressure before any other actions related to safety or securing the vehicle.

While actions like engaging the parking brake or switching off the ignition are relevant to safety procedures in different contexts, they do not specifically prepare the hydraulic brake system for a test. Ensuring proper function through the pumping of the brake pedal is a key step to ensure the vehicle is safe to operate.