Probably, even in the most terrible dream a driver would never dream of a situation in which the brakes on the car would fail. All motorists sincerely want to believe that this will not happen to them. However, it is quite a real life picture, in which each, even the most experienced driver can get.
But what to do, if suddenly the brakes refused, and how to save not only themselves and passengers, but also other participants of traffic?
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What you need to do in a second after the detection of malfunction
And you need to act really lightning fast. As soon as you realize that there are no more brakes, you must immediately notify all surrounding road users that your vehicle has become dangerous.
The first thing you should do is turn on the emergency stop signal so that the cars behind and ahead of you are potentially prepared for the unexpected. It is quite possible that the drivers around you will understand what is wrong, and to help them do so, it is important to honk as much as possible in the most obtrusive way possible.
In parallel, it is necessary to order all passengers to wear seat belts, because the probability of collision with other cars or rollover is very high. And in order to receive serious injuries, it is enough for unbuckled passenger to drive only 30 km/h.
Simultaneously with the previous actions, the driver should assess the situation and understand what to do to quickly emergency stop the car. Well, if the trouble happened on a hill, then it will be enough to turn on the parking brake and wait until the vehicle comes to a complete stop.
But if the trouble occurred on the descent, it is recommended to find the nearest curb or fence, because neither the parking brake, nor the reduced gear will not be able to stop the car on a strong downhill.
Although they will reduce the speed a little bit. Wait until the car slows down, and begin to slowly nestle against the fence or kerb. The friction force in this case will work not worse than the working brake, and even the bumped body must not bother you too much, because this is the best of all possible outcomes.
Three main causes of brake failure and the driver’s course of action
In fact, there is quite a workable driver course of action when brakes fail under normal conditions. It’s important to follow the instructions clearly and understand that the roadside is a better option than encountering a truck.
Let’s consider the scheme in more detail:
- The cause of brake failure can be low brake fluid. So if the car doesn’t stop when you press the brake pedal, release the brake and press again, and so on until the remaining fluid is pumped through the system. Usually after two or three presses the brakes will return to their working parameters.
Tip: Don’t forget to go to the service station immediately, check the level of brake fluid and fill it up to the factory settings.
- The second reason why the machine may refuse to brake is a foreign object caught under the brake pedal. Most often these objects are plastic bottles, which are easily rolled into the most inopportune place for them. Carefully remove the bottle with your left foot and depress the brake pedal.
Tip: Never store objects that can roll freely around the car interior in the driver’s seat area – there is a risk of brake system failure.
3. Breakage of brake hoses – this is the situation when it is impossible to restore the brakes to working condition. The main sign of this phenomenon is a completely failed brake pedal. To brake a car that has lost its primary braking system, you can engage a downshift or, in cars with an automatic transmission, use the handbrake.
Tip: If the road conditions permit, rock the car to the right and left with the widest possible amplitude of rocking. The inertia of the speed will be lost to the swing, and the car will start to stop noticeably. 3.
What not to do if the brakes fail
First and foremost, you should not panic. At least you have three options for effectively braking the car, and any panic will increase the decision time, which can be deadly.
Do not cover your face with your hands or call for help. In this situation, you are left alone with the problem, and the sooner the right decision is made, the sooner the car will brake painlessly for both the driver, and for all surrounding traffic.
There is no need to immediately pull over to the side of the road at high speed. If you suddenly felt that the brakes do not work, it can lead to the overturning of the car, injuries and even death.
If the road is flat and clear, you are lucky – you have enough time to gather your thoughts and make the right decision. The best option here is to slowly brake the gearbox, and then you can safely call a tow truck and follow to the nearest service station.