What should you do If Your Car Brakes Fail While You Drive? Introduction There are some systems in your car that is very much crucial. Malfunctioning of such systems or component can be catastrophic, life risky. Braking system is one of them. It is one of the most essential parts for safety purpose. Sometime braking system may fail due to some reasons. Here, I’ll tell you all those reasons that make car brake fail, but also the signs of the issue and what to do if the brakes of your car fail while you drive.
Brake failure We all know what brakes are meant for. They are very important safety devices. It makes the car slow; it can also make the car stop to avoid accidents. Brakes can be hydraulic and can also be mechanical. The hand brake or parking brake that you use is mechanical brake. The drum brakes used in all motor vehicles is hydraulic.
Signs of brake failure Here are the most obvious signs that you can get if your brake fail while you are on the road and driving the car. Pulse at the brake pedal when you push it A clicking and squeaking noise will be heard when you apply the brake It will drag when you accelerate the car The anti-lock braking system light will glow Brake fluid on the tyres ( sign of brake fluid leakage) Brakes become ineffective Spongy brakes
Tips to handle brake failure while you drive Here are some tips that will be very much helpful to you if you encounter the brake failure while you are driving. 1. First of all you shouldn’t panic. Control yourself and try to remain calm. Then only you can only think to get the car off the road and to make it standstill in such situation. 2. Do not turn off the engine of your car at all. You will not able to use the power steering feature if you turn off the engine. Power steering can be helpful in saving you and your car from an accident that can happen due to failing of brakes. So it is recommended that you shouldn’t turn off the engine until your car comes to standstill. 3. Shifting the car to low gears can help you to bring your car to low speed. While shifting to lower gear, make sure you are shifting to one gear at a time. If your car is having automatic transmission, in such cases use throttle pedal and paddle shifter to downshift it. 4. Try to take your car off the road safely to an open field or bushes nearby so that you can slow the vehicle. 5. Continuously pump your brake pedal. There can be either of the front or rear brakes failed and other one is working if there is no complete brake failure. Do this step so that the residual pressure of brake system would stop the car. It will also give a warning signal to other motorist on the road 6. Use the parking hand brake to make the car stop if you are moving slowly. This brake can even slow your car if you use it carefully instead of pressing it forcefully and quickly. Never use parking brake if the car is at high speed 7. Do not attempt to move the car if it is stopped. Call a tow truck or take help from nearby garage for brake inspection and repair. 8. If you got any injuries while trying to stop your car, then call 911
Prevention of Brake Failure Regular maintenance of your car will prevent the brake failure while driving for sure. Replacement of certain components of brake system like brake pads and rotor is needed because they become very thin gradually in time due to sliding friction. So these components need to get checked while a brake service. Brake fluid is also checked. Lack of brake fluid will make the brakes very less effective. Leakage of brake fluid can cause brake failure. Damaged gaskets in brake system can make such leak. A regular checkup of brake system will make you know of the status to the brake system. If you prevent brake failure, then you will also prevent accidents caused due to brake failure and you will save much money as well as life. There is a high possibility that your rotors and brake pads get wear off at the same time. It is recommended to replace these parts of brake system for every 70000 miles.
Conclusion Never hesitate to do regular inspection of the car. Maintenance can increase the car life. Never ignore the signs of brake failure while driving. Try to slow down the car by pumping brakes and warning signs to make the other motorists alert that you are attempting to stop the car.