What Do You Do If Your Brakes Fail While Driving:

Introduction
Stay Calm and Take Immediate Action
Downshift to a Lower Gear
Use the Emergency Brake
Find an Escape Route
Signal for Help and Get Off the Road
Avoid Shutting Off the Engine
Get the Brakes Inspected
Conclusion
FAQs

Introduction

Brake failure is one of the scariest situations a driver can face, but knowing what do you do if your brakes fail while driving can help you stay calm and act quickly. While it’s a rare occurrence, understanding the steps to take in the event of brake failure can make the difference between a safe stop and a dangerous situation. This article provides a detailed guide on how to respond if your brakes suddenly stop working while driving.

Stay Calm and Take Immediate Action

The first step in knowing what do you do if your brakes fail while driving is staying calm. Panicking can make the situation worse, so it’s essential to keep a level head and focus on taking the appropriate actions.

Steps to Take:

Take Your Foot Off the Accelerator: Remove your foot from the gas pedal to allow the car to naturally decelerate.
Try the Brakes Again: Even if the brakes initially fail, pump the brake pedal multiple times to see if you can regain some stopping power. Modern vehicles are equipped with dual braking systems, so one part of the system may still function.

Staying calm and thinking through your options will help you execute the steps safely and efficiently.

Downshift to a Lower Gear

One of the most important things to do when figuring out what do you do if your brakes fail while driving is to downshift into a lower gear. This helps slow the vehicle down by using engine braking.

How to Downshift:

Automatic Transmission: In an automatic vehicle, shift to the lowest gear (usually marked as “L” or “1”).
Manual Transmission: In a manual car, gradually downshift to lower gears, allowing the engine to slow the car.

As you continue to downshift, the engine will take over the task of slowing the vehicle, reducing the reliance on the faulty brakes.

Use the Emergency Brake

Another critical step in what do you do if your brakes fail while driving is utilizing the emergency brake, also known as the parking brake. While it’s not as powerful as the regular brake system, it can help slow down the vehicle.

How to Use the Emergency Brake:

Engage Slowly: Carefully pull or press the emergency brake lever to avoid locking up the wheels, which can cause the car to skid.
Be Prepared for Skidding: The emergency brake operates on a different system than the regular brakes, so there’s a chance of skidding. If the car skids, try to steer in the direction of the skid to regain control.

The emergency brake can be a lifesaver in this situation, but it needs to be applied carefully to avoid causing further problems.

Find an Escape Route

When determining what do you do if your brakes fail while driving, finding an escape route is crucial. If you’re driving on a highway or a busy road, look for a safe place to exit or bring the car to a stop.

Consider the Following:

Use Gravity: If possible, turn onto an uphill road to take advantage of gravity to help slow the vehicle.
Steer onto Grass or Gravel: If it’s safe to do so, steering onto grass, gravel, or dirt can help slow your car faster than pavement, as these surfaces provide more resistance.
Avoid Crowded Areas: Do your best to avoid pedestrian areas and other vehicles by steering toward a safe open space.

Choosing the right escape route is vital for ensuring the safety of yourself and others on the road.

Signal for Help and Get Off the Road

Once you’ve taken the steps to slow your car, knowing what do you do if your brakes fail while driving includes safely pulling over and signaling for help.

What to Do:

Turn on Hazard Lights: Use your hazard lights to alert other drivers that you’re experiencing an emergency.
Move Off the Road: Once your car has slowed down, steer to the shoulder or another safe area to stop.
Use Your Horn: If necessary, use your horn to warn other drivers as you slow down.

After pulling over, it’s crucial to remain in your vehicle until help arrives unless it’s safe to exit the vehicle.

Avoid Shutting Off the Engine

When learning what do you do if your brakes fail while driving, one of the most common mistakes is shutting off the engine too soon. While it may seem logical, turning off the engine can cause you to lose power steering and control.

Why Not to Turn Off the Engine:

Loss of Steering Control: Your car relies on power steering to navigate, and shutting off the engine can make it extremely difficult to steer.
Wait Until You’re Stopped: Only turn off the engine after you’ve safely come to a complete stop.

Keeping the engine running until you’ve come to a stop ensures you maintain control of the vehicle during the emergency.

Get the Brakes Inspected

Once you’ve successfully stopped the vehicle, the next step in what do you do if your brakes fail while driving is getting the brakes inspected by a professional. Brake failure is a serious issue, and it’s crucial to identify the cause to prevent it from happening again.

What to Expect:

Have the Entire Brake System Checked: This includes the brake pads, rotors, fluid levels, and brake lines.
Address Any Underlying Issues: If the failure was caused by a specific problem, make sure the mechanic addresses it thoroughly.

Regular maintenance and brake inspections can help prevent future brake failures, ensuring your vehicle remains safe to drive.

Conclusion

So, what do you do if your brakes fail while driving? The key is to remain calm, downshift to a lower gear, use the emergency brake carefully, and find a safe place to pull over. Avoid turning off the engine until you’ve stopped, and always signal for help. After the emergency, get your brakes inspected by a professional to ensure the issue is fully resolved. By following these steps, you can handle brake failure safely and effectively.

FAQs