When driving, you want to be prepared for anything. This can include any wildlife that may cross the road, or an unexpected breakdown you have with your vehicle. One issue that could happen if you do not have the vehicle inspected properly is poor brakes. Having your brakes fail while driving can be a terrifying experience. By remembering a few easy tips, you will be able to handle the situation until help can arrive.
Do not Panic
If you notice the brakes are failing, it is important to stay calm. This can help you to avoid more problems by being aware of the situation. When it is safe to do so, pull your vehicle to an area away from traffic and that is safe.
Try the Brakes Again
Unless you are behind the wheel of a classic car, your vehicle likely has a dual braking system, which controls the front and rear brakes independently. As a result, both halves of the system would have to fail for your vehicle to totally lose all braking power. Still, cutting the braking ability in half can be enough to make it feel unsafe, but there may still be some stopping power. Try applying strong, consistent pressure to the brake pedal to see if you can slow the vehicle down.
Reduce Your Speed that You Are Driving
If your main braking system is not working, one option is to very carefully employ the emergency brake. The emergency braking system is separate from the main, hydraulic brake system, and it can help stop the vehicle, although it will likely take you longer to this way than it would with the traditional brake pedal. Another way to slow your car down, is by keeping your foot off the accelerator and downshifting so that the engine can help slow the vehicle down. If you have a manual transmission, work your way down through the gears to slow the vehicle down. If you have an automatic transmission, taking your foot off the accelerator should cause your vehicle to shift to lower gears as it slows down. However, in newer cars with automatic transmissions that allow you to also drive them manually, you may want to use the paddle shifters, which are levers on the steering wheels with this feature, or put your transmission in manual mode and downshift to the lowest gear.
Get Your Vehicle Away from Traffic
After you have slowed the vehicle down, it is critical that you get your vehicle off the road to minimize the chances of getting hit. If you are on the highway or a larger road, you will need to concentrate on getting your vehicle safely into the right lane so that you can get it off the road. Do not forget to use your turn signals, and pay attention to surrounding traffic. Cautiously make your way into the slow lane and turn on your hazard lights when you get there. Remember to steer around any possible hazards, and if needed, use the lights and horn to alert other motorists. This can help increase the chance for preventing an accident.