Can You Turn Off the Engine When Brakes Fail?

[DeJace]

When a car's brakes fail, you should not directly turn off the engine. First, the engine's own traction can help slow down the vehicle. Second, turning off the engine will cut off power to systems like power steering, which may lead to greater danger. Therefore, never turn off the engine if the brakes fail; instead, find a way to stop the car as quickly as possible. Below are some solutions when brakes fail: 1. Try pulling the handbrake first to see if it can slow down the car. Be careful not to pull it all the way or too quickly. 2. If the handbrake is slow or ineffective, try the forced downshifting method (commonly known as "gun shifting") to slow down in a lower gear, then shift to neutral to cut off the power. 3. If neither the handbrake nor forced downshifting works, immediately honk to alert vehicles ahead and look for a suitable section to slow down, such as uphill roads, emergency lanes on highways, or entering grassy or shrubby areas for a "soft landing."

[LukasAnn]

I remember a few years ago when I was driving my old car on the highway, suddenly the brakes felt spongy and unresponsive. I was terrified. My first instinct was to turn off the engine to save fuel, but luckily I remembered what my driving instructor said: never turn off the engine! The reason is simple: once the engine is off, the power steering system fails, making the steering wheel extremely heavy and harder to turn, which increases the risk of an accident. I stayed calm, steadied my speed, shifted to a lower gear to let the engine help slow down, and gently pulled the handbrake to gradually bring the car to a stop on the emergency lane. Later, the mechanic found that the brake fluid had leaked, causing the failure. My advice: if you experience brake failure, never turn off the engine. First, try downshifting or using the electronic handbrake to slow down, then pull over as soon as possible and seek professional help.

[MaximusDella]

I often see people discussing similar issues online, especially new drivers who might consider turning off the engine to save trouble. But from what I understand, this is absolutely a big no-no! Because most modern cars have power steering, once the engine is turned off, the steering wheel becomes as stiff as if it's locked, making it extremely difficult to turn, and in an emergency, there's simply no time to avoid obstacles. Brake failure is scary enough, but adding the risk of engine stalling increases the chance of an accident exponentially. I've read in repair manuals that the correct approach is to keep the engine running, try shifting to a lower gear to use engine braking to slow down, or gradually apply the handbrake. Personally, I recommend checking the brake system every six months to avoid sudden emergencies.

[LeLandon]

From a mechanical perspective, shutting off the engine during brake failure is absolutely unwise. Having studied automotive design, I can confirm that engine shutdown cuts off power steering and vacuum boost systems, making the steering wheel significantly heavier and drastically reducing control. Some vehicle models' braking systems rely on engine vacuum, meaning shutdown may further weaken residual braking force. In practical driving situations, I prioritize staying calm and gradually downshifting to decelerate, rather than increasing risk by turning off the engine. Regular maintenance remains the key to preventing brake failures.