What is the procedure for checking if your brake pedal holds after application?

To check if your brake pedal holds after application, the correct procedure is to hold the pedal for five seconds after applying it. This method allows you to determine if there is any leaking air (in the case of air brakes) or fluid (in the case of hydraulic brakes). If the brake pedal stays solid and does not sink toward the floor during this five-second holding period, it indicates that the brakes are functioning properly and there are no issues with the brake system.

The five-second hold is a practical and effective assessment of the brake system's status, providing a clear indicator of whether the braking system is in good working order or if there may be a problem such as an air leak or a failure in the hydraulic system.

The other methods, while they may provide some insights, do not specifically measure the holding power or integrity of the brake system in the same way that maintaining pressure for five seconds does. They might include actions like simply observing movements or allowing the pedal to return after release, but these do not effectively test for the same reliable functionality as the five-second hold does.