How to Survive a Car Brake Failure

Imagine yourself driving down the road when all of a sudden your car brakes fail. This is a nightmare scenario that can lead to fatal accidents if one is not careful enough to respond in time. While the chances of experiencing such a situation are quite low, it is still good to be prepared. This article will give you some tips on How to survive a car brake failure and keep yourself safe while driving down the road.

Do not panic
If your brakes suddenly fail, you may feel your heart rate increasing. The best thing to do is to remain calm and think about how to approach the situation. First, make sure you are not leaking fluid or that your anti-lock braking system is not malfunctioning. You can check this by placing your fingers on the brake pedal. If the brake pedal feels soft or spongy, it means there is a loss of pressure in the system. This could be due to low or no pressure in the master cylinder or from a damaged brake line.

Don’t turn off your car: The first instinct may be to shut off your vehicle but this is actually a bad idea. Doing so can shut off your engine braking and leave you with no way to steer the vehicle. You should also avoid putting the car into reverse or park, as this will not slow the car down either and will waste more valuable time.

Pumping the brake pedal: It is important to continue pumping the brake pedal, even if you are not getting any response from it. You can try to use the emergency brake as well, if you have one. Ideally, you should pump the brakes for at least 10 times. Doing so will help to re-establish the connection between the brake pedal and the brake booster. This can give you some time to stop your car before the braking system completely fails.

Looking for an incline or hill to assist you: If the brakes do not work, look for any upward slope that can help you slow down. This could be an on-ramp, a hilly street, or even a specially designed run-off area. Even a slight upward slope can provide the gravitational force needed to slow your car down and come to a stop.

Communicating with other drivers: Once you have stopped your vehicle, turn on your hazard lights to alert other road users that you need assistance. Honking frequently is another great way to let others know you are having problems.

In the end, even if you manage to get your brakes working again after a break malfunction, it is crucial that you pull over and call for help. You should not drive the car any further as it is far too dangerous for you and other road users. Get off the roadway and put on your hazard lights until someone can come to tow or repair your vehicle.

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