One of the most frightening moments you can face while driving is failed brakes. However, there are certain steps you can take to avoid some accidents. It’s always important to ensure that your brakes are running at an optimum capacity. Brake failure can also happen unexpectedly even when the car has been ok.
There are steps you can take to ensure that you don’t end up in a catastrophic crash. However, before knowing how to slow down an out-of-control vehicle, know how to prevent brake failure.
How to prevent brake failure.
It’s more important to know how to prevent brake failure before knowing how to mitigate the ramifications of one. The most common reason why people experience brake failure is because of loss of brake pressure. Ensure the braking mechanisms are checked frequently. Also, be on the lookout for any changes you feel to the brake pedals. Check the brake pads regularly checked as well. You can have the brakes checked every time you get an oil change. Make sure you go for your regular car maintenance.
Signs of brake failure.
Brake failure can happen because of the following reasons:
- Lack of enough brake fluid.
- Loss of brake power from overheating.
- Worn out brake pads.
- A block in the brake master cylinder.
You’ll know your car is about to experience brake failure when you see the following signs:
- The anti-lock braking system lights will be on.
- Drag when accelerating.
- A pulse when you apply the brakes.
- Clicking when you press the brake pedals.
- The car pulls to one side when you apply the brakes.
What to do when your brakes fail
1. Slowly deploy the handbrake
Avoid panicking and take calculated steps to ensure the least damage. Turn on your hazard lights and keep hooting to warn other motorists if you’re in an area with a lot of traffic. When your primary braking system fails, you can rely on your handbrake. This is also known as the parking brake. In some cars, it’s also called an e-brake.
If your car has a manual handbrake, start by removing your foot from the accelerator. Constantly engage the handbrake to bring the car to a crawl until it loses enough momentum to be parked beside the road. If you have a manual car, only engage the handbrake after changing down to first gear. When you drive an automatic, slowly shift down to the slowest gear setting, then engage the handbrake. Release it if the car starts to skid.
2. Shift down
If you drive a manual car, change down the gears from 5th or 4th to 1st gear to reduce momentum as much as possible. Don’t change from the highest to first gear instantly. Change down sequentially. If you try to change directly to first it can cause the car to skid. Losing traction when you’re already going at speed can make you crash into oncoming vehicles, pedestrians, or objects on the side of the road.
3. Keep pumping the brakes
Continue pumping the brakes in a full to-and-fro motion. Do it every 5-10 seconds. This helps generate hydraulic pressure. Generating residual pressure in the hydraulic system can help the car slow down. If you feel any pressure coming back to the brake pedal, gradually press the pedal until the car comes to a complete stop.
4. Use engine braking
Sometimes when downshifting, the car jerks forward. This happens when the wheel speed is higher than the engine speed in the lower gear. This is known as engine braking. When you downshift, it helps the engine speed slow down. If you downshift too quickly, it can make the car lose control. You can use engine braking to bring the car to a neutral state or a complete stop.
When driving an automatic, lift your foot off the accelerator. This eventually makes the car engage lower gears where you can finally slow down entirely. Some automatic cars come with paddles that you can shift at will. You can use this to downshift gradually.
5. Keep the engine running
Switching off the engine cuts off the power steering. This is one of the most dangerous things you can do in the event of brake failure. This removes any braking capacity as well. It can also lock the steering wheel making you lose control of the car.
6. In worst-case scenarios
If nothing works or you run out of time before you join a busy highway, try steering the car into the least hazardous object you see. Make sure everyone has their seatbelts fastened. Look for bushes, wire mesh fences, and scrape against a wall. Don’t drive into a stationary car, a wall, a metal gate, a ditch, into pedestrians, or any protruding structures. The most important thing to do is to stay calm.
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