How to Deal with Brake Failure While Driving?

[JoannaMarie]

The methods to handle brake failure while driving are as follows: 1. Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal and press the brake pedal with both feet to confirm the brakes are ineffective; 2. Use the handbrake in coordination, but avoid pulling it too quickly to prevent the handbrake from failing; 3. Pay attention to the direction of the vehicle and ensure you are wearing a seatbelt, which can help reduce injuries; 4. Continuously honk the horn to alert others to the vehicle's abnormality; 5. Adjust the seat backward to create space for impact; 6. Relax your joints and prepare for the impact. The following are the causes of brake failure: 1. Improper operation leading to mechanical failure; 2. Severe overloading increases the vehicle's inertia due to gravitational acceleration, directly causing brake failure; 3. Lack of regular maintenance of the brake system. Excessive impurities in the brake pump, poor sealing, or severe contamination of brake fluid can lead to brake pump oil leakage, air tank or pipeline interface air leakage when the brake system overheats, resulting in brake failure.

[StPaul]

I once experienced sudden brake failure on the highway, and the experience taught me that staying calm is the most crucial thing—never panic and stomp on the accelerator. Try pumping the brake pedal multiple times to see if it restores function. If that doesn’t work, immediately turn on the hazard lights to alert surrounding vehicles. Then, use the gearshift to downshift and slow down—for example, shifting from a higher gear to a lower one to let the engine hum and gradually reduce speed, while gently applying the handbrake for assistance (but not too forcefully to avoid skidding). Slowly steer the car toward the roadside to park. After stopping, turn off the engine, engage the handbrake to ensure safety, and then inspect the braking system or call for assistance. Later, I discovered it was due to brake fluid leakage, so I now regularly replace the brake fluid and check the lines as a preventive measure. This lesson taught me that preventive maintenance is far more valuable than emergency fixes, and I always pay extra attention to dashboard signals before driving.

[MacCamilla]

Every day at the repair shop, I see many cases of brake failure, mostly due to worn brake discs/pads or fluid leaks. In emergencies, stay calm: first, repeatedly pump the brakes to test pedal pressure; if that doesn’t work, quickly downshift to use engine braking—avoid neutral to prevent loss of control. Apply the handbrake gently without locking the wheels. Simultaneously, turn on hazard lights and steer gradually to the side to stop. After stopping, don’t move the vehicle; contact a professional shop—it could be a master cylinder issue or air in the system. To prevent trouble, check brake thickness and fluid levels every 5,000 km—maintenance should be diligent.

[KathrynFitz]

When I first started driving, brake failure was really scary, but I was taught safety steps during driving lessons. First, take a deep breath and stay calm. Immediately turn on the hazard lights to alert others, then try to downshift to slow down—for example, shifting from fifth gear to second gear will reduce speed. If necessary, gently use the handbrake. Look for an opportunity to pull over safely without making sudden steering movements. Once stopped, check if the brake pedal is loose or if the fluid level is low, and get it repaired as soon as possible. Learning more about car maintenance can help prevent such issues and make driving more reassuring.