How To Stop Your Vehicle If Your Car Brakes Fail
31 May 2009
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
Soft or spongy brakes are a condition which occurs when a leak in the system exists. It could be that your brakes are leaking fluid, so that when the brake is depressed the force behind the movement is less than normally desired on the brake callipers. As the brake is depressed the pads move onto the disc to create a situation with friction. The wheel begins to slow. The stopping mechanism of the vehicle is a closed loop, which means fluid should not be able to leak.
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 occurs when the brakes have overheated and lose some of their stopping potential. In normal driving conditions you are unlikely to experience brake fade, however it can occur after repeatedly heavy braking from high speed, or during frequent braking on a long down hill section. Both scenarios will cause your brakes to heat up significantly and could even lead to the brake fluid boiling.
Brake fade is not a permanent problem and can be quickly cured by giving your brakes sufficient time to cool down. You can also reduce the chances of it occurring by staying in a low gear on prolonged hill descents and using engine braking as much as possible when stopping frequently from high speed.
3. What to Do in the Event of Total Brake Failure
If you are confronted with total brake failure you need to pump the pedal to see if you can get back some brake pressure. This works to help you stop, but just as importantly lets drivers behind you know that you are trying to stop your car. As fast as you can change gears descending to a lower gear, you will also want to apply the handbrake in an effort to come to a complete 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.