How To Stop Your Vehicle If Your Car Brakes Fail
The brakes on a modern vehicle are normally extremely reliable, and with the replacement of drum brakes with more effective calliper brakes, and developments in tyre technology stopping distance are now significantly reduced. However, occasionally failures in a vehicle’s braking system can occur and knowing how to react when they do will ensure you can still stop quickly and safely.
1. What To Do If Your Brakes Are Soft
The first type of braking problem is caused by a hydraulic leak within the braking system. Your brakes work by brake fluid being compressed when you press down on the brake pedal, which transfers this force to the brake callipers. In turn this squeezes the brake pads onto the brake disc which creates friction and slows the wheels down. The need to keep the brake fluid under pressure when the brakes are applied means that it is held in a closed loop system, so in normal conditions none of the fluid can leak out.
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. Tips to Prevent and React During Brake Fade
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. Options You Have For When Brakes Fail Completely
Total brake failure is every drivers worse nightmare. As soon as you detect a problem with your brakes attempt to pump the pedal to restore some braking pressure, this will also ensure your rear brake light car bulbs come on, letting others know you are slowing. Quickly and smoothly change down through the gearbox, and gently apply the handbrake to help you stop.
In all cases of complete failure it is essential to keep a cool mind even when a crash may be the end result. You should look for an area to crash the vehicle in a more tolerant manner allowing the force of the crash to be better absorbed. Try to crash into a brick wall or other parked vehicle, over a tree or post. The force is spread out more evenly on the vehicle, helping to create an easier less impactful stop, thus less severe injury.
No related posts.