Don't Panic if Your Car Brakes Fail: How to Stop Your Vehicle Safely
Tuesday, 01 December 2009 08:36 | 
Written by Magnus Bosserent |
Unless you need to replace your brakes because of wear there should not be any problems with coming to a safe stop when you need to. The existence of the newer calliper brakes instead of the old fashioned drum type ensures that you can feel comfortable behind the wheel. Tyres also contribute to your ability to come to a stop in an effective manner. There can be times though when your brakes could falter and you should understand what to do if the brakes fail.
Unless you need to replace your brakes because of wear there should not be any problems with coming to a safe stop when you need to. The existence of the newer calliper brakes instead of the old fashioned drum type ensures that you can feel comfortable behind the wheel. Tyres also contribute to your ability to come to a stop in an effective manner. There can be times though when your brakes could falter and you should understand what to do if the brakes fail.
1. Stopping Your Vehicle if You Have Soft or Spongy Brake Pedals
Maintaining your brakes in good, working condition means that you should check for possible leaks in the brake line. If there is a hydraulic leak then the brakes will not stop you properly. When the pedal is depressed the brake fluid is compressed. This allows for the fluid to reach the brake callipers. When this happens the brake pads are constricted on the disc brake. This allows for friction which makes the wheels slow. The closed loop system ensures that the brake fluid stays under pressure and that no fluid can escape.
When a leak exists the pressure is less, but it is not nonexistent. Instead the brakes will feel soft under your foot. They may not react as quickly to stop the car as they have in the past.
If the pedal is sponge like you will need to pump the pedal. The action of pumping the brake pedal allows pressure to build up in the system to allow for a safe stop. After you have stopped the car it is imperative to have the brakes checked by a qualified professional. A lack of inspection could result in complete failure of the brakes.
2. How to Prevent Brake Fade and What to Do if it Happens
Brake fade is a technical term to explain hot brakes. Brakes when they become hot can lose their stopping potential. This condition normally occurs on roads with steep grades where you are using your brake system more often. Normal operating situations rarely cause brake fade. However, braking at high speed or frequent use of your brakes can make them heat up. In a situation of hot brakes the fluid could actually boil.
The best way to stop brake fade before it occurs is to drive in a slightly different manner when going down a long hill or when you must use your brakes to stop yourself in a continuous high speed situation. If brake fade does happen it wont be a lasting effect. Once the brakes have a chance to cool they will be fine. Use a lower gear on steep hills and the engine brake when you need to stop frequently at high speeds.
3. How To Handle Total Brake Failure
Complete failure in the braking system is fearful for any driver. There are numerous situations that could result from a complete lack of brakes. At any time that you suspect you have a problem with the brakes you will need to pump them to help build pressure. By pumping the brakes you are also alerting the other drivers to your intentions. In a manual or automatic you can downshift from a higher speed without the brakes causing the vehicle to slow. Another option if these other two tactics are not sufficient is to gently use the handbrake to come to a stop.
If a crash is inevitable because you cannot get the car stopped, try not to panic. Look ahead to see what is in your path. You may be able to cushion the blow by choosing a parked car or low wall to hit. This would keep injuries to a minimum and damage to your vehicle minimal as well.
Unless you need to replace your brakes because of wear there should not be any problems with coming to a safe stop when you need to. The existence of the newer calliper brakes instead of the old fashioned drum type ensures that you can feel comfortable behind the wheel. Tyres also contribute to your ability to come to a stop in an effective manner. There can be times though when your brakes could falter and you should understand what to do if the brakes fail.
1. Stopping Your Vehicle if You Have Soft or Spongy Brake Pedals
Maintaining your brakes in good, working condition means that you should check for possible leaks in the brake line. If there is a hydraulic leak then the brakes will not stop you properly. When the pedal is depressed the brake fluid is compressed. This allows for the fluid to reach the brake callipers. When this happens the brake pads are constricted on the disc brake. This allows for friction which makes the wheels slow. The closed loop system ensures that the brake fluid stays under pressure and that no fluid can escape.
When a leak exists the pressure is less, but it is not nonexistent. Instead the brakes will feel soft under your foot. They may not react as quickly to stop the car as they have in the past.
If the pedal is sponge like you will need to pump the pedal. The action of pumping the brake pedal allows pressure to build up in the system to allow for a safe stop. After you have stopped the car it is imperative to have the brakes checked by a qualified professional. A lack of inspection could result in complete failure of the brakes.
2. How to Prevent Brake Fade and What to Do if it Happens
Brake fade is a technical term to explain hot brakes. Brakes when they become hot can lose their stopping potential. This condition normally occurs on roads with steep grades where you are using your brake system more often. Normal operating situations rarely cause brake fade. However, braking at high speed or frequent use of your brakes can make them heat up. In a situation of hot brakes the fluid could actually boil.
The best way to stop brake fade before it occurs is to drive in a slightly different manner when going down a long hill or when you must use your brakes to stop yourself in a continuous high speed situation. If brake fade does happen it wont be a lasting effect. Once the brakes have a chance to cool they will be fine. Use a lower gear on steep hills and the engine brake when you need to stop frequently at high speeds.
3. How To Handle Total Brake Failure
Complete failure in the braking system is fearful for any driver. There are numerous situations that could result from a complete lack of brakes. At any time that you suspect you have a problem with the brakes you will need to pump them to help build pressure. By pumping the brakes you are also alerting the other drivers to your intentions. In a manual or automatic you can downshift from a higher speed without the brakes causing the vehicle to slow. Another option if these other two tactics are not sufficient is to gently use the handbrake to come to a stop.
If a crash is inevitable because you cannot get the car stopped, try not to panic. Look ahead to see what is in your path. You may be able to cushion the blow by choosing a parked car or low wall to hit. This would keep injuries to a minimum and damage to your vehicle minimal as well.
About the Author:
As well as making sure your brakes are working properly, it is just as important to ensure that your Car Headlight Bulbs are in excellent working order and that you can see and be seen by other road users. Installing new Xenon Headlight Bulbs is a superb way to extend your night time visibility, so you can enjoy driving in the dark.
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