How To React To Brake Failure

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Brake failure rarely occurs but if it happens to you, be prepared.

To complete this How-To you will need:

Your car instruction manual
A cell phone or public telephone
Roadside assistance information

Step 1: Remail calm

Remain calm. Assess your surroundings -- note the traffic, pedestrians, and intersections around you.

Tip: Pump the brakes. You may be able to rebuild enough brake pressure to slow the vehicle.

Step 2: Warn other drivers

Turn on your hazard lights and honk your horn to warn other drivers.

Step 3: Steer to a safe place

Find a clear place to steer toward so damage will be minimal. Shift to the lowest gear possible. If you have an automatic transmission, this is usually noted as D1 or L1.

Step 4: Use the parking brake

Gently engage the handbrake or parking brake. If you apply it while you are moving fast and the car starts to skid, release it before you lose control of the vehicle.

Step 5: Throw the car into reverse

Throw the car into reverse if you're unable to stop the car and are heading towards pedestrians.

Tip: Shifting into reverse while the car is moving can irreversibly damage the transmission.

Step 6: Call roadside assistance

Call roadside assistance once you've stopped. Don't try to drive it again until it is fixed. Get out of your car and move a safe distance away from it while waiting for assistance.

Step 7: Get your car checked out thoroughly

Have your car repaired. Also, contact your car's manufacturer and make sure that it is not a manufacturing problem.

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Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• HotHowTos
• cars
• breaking
• failing
• preparing
• preventing
• solving
• fixing
• automobile
• accident

[micheal89edwards]

hahaa u will need ur car manual - hmmmm i have no brakes lets read the manual BANG hits the car infront lol

[dboy11368]

manual all the way!

clutch and engine braking will save your ass.

[59summerset]

@JakobPowellTECH 1st gear is more effective.

[theamazinbagman]

ohh no the brakes have failed and im charging at a concrete building, better read up on the manual to see what i have to do

[mr2kat]

On a stick shift you CAN stop the engine, put the car into a low gear (2nd) and use the engine and parking brake to slow the vehicle to a safe stop. However before you do this, find a straight section of road and have the steering wheel centered. I have enough strength to overcome the loss of power steering - you might not.

Also, this IS a maneuver you can practice in a deserted parking lot without damaging the car - just be gentle with the clutch and emergency brake.

[mooyah36]

this happened in my 95 lightning! i was coming from my friends house and unfortunately i live at the bottom of a culdisac with a hill...on my way up my park light brake came on and on my way down when i pumped my brakes my petal came loose so i (not so calmly) stomped my e brake petal and looped th culdisac into my driveway nearly hitting my trash cans where i park...glad the only thing i had to pay was brake fluid and rear end lines...god i rock

[legoman05]

@elrichzann You lose all brakes and steering, That wouldnt work. At all.

[legoman05]

You cant shift into reverse while moving forwards. It wont do anything.

[crees22]

Hitting the rear of an articulated truck will slow you down more efficiently. They didnt mention that did they!

[flyrock45]

95% of all drivers are brainless. I'm highly doubtful they would follow any of these guidelines.

[nachof248]

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it was a joke...right?

[airportautos]

Bear Grylls' way is way better