How to Slow Down When Brakes Suddenly Fail While Driving?

[DelRicardo]

When brakes suddenly fail while driving, the driver can use the following methods to slow down: 1. Engine braking or parking brake to decelerate. First, control the direction to maintain straight-line driving, then turn on the hazard warning flashers, slow down, and pull over to stop. 2. If there are no brakes, the first thing to do is downshift. This can be accomplished in three steps: (1) Downshift to 2nd or 3rd gear; (2) Gradually pull up the handbrake, but do not pull it all the way—locking the rear wheels will cause the car to skid, leading to a more severe accident. (3) Steer firmly and seize every opportunity to slow down. After successfully downshifting, do not depress the clutch.

[LeJayla]

After driving for so many years, I've experienced brake failure a few times, and the feeling was truly heart-stopping. Once on the highway, right after passing the toll booth, I noticed the brake pedal felt spongy and completely unresponsive. My first reaction was to stay calm and avoid jerking the steering wheel to prevent a rollover. I quickly pressed the pedal several times with force, confirmed it was completely broken, and immediately downshifted to slow down. My car is a manual transmission, so I pressed the clutch and shifted down to second gear—the engine roared as the speed gradually decreased. If it were an automatic, I would have switched to manual mode or a lower gear. Then, I gently pulled up the handbrake, being careful not to yank it all at once to avoid locking the tires and losing control. Meanwhile, I scanned my surroundings for a safe spot to pull over and chose the emergency lane on the right, coasting slowly to a stop. Once parked, I turned on the hazard lights and got out to inspect the car, only to find the brake fluid had completely leaked out. The repair cost me over a thousand yuan afterward, but safety comes first. The lesson? Regularly check your braking system—don't skimp on maintenance costs.

[Tammy]

Last time on my way home from work, the brakes suddenly failed, and my heart was pounding like a drum. As a new driver who's usually quite timid, I panicked even more but remembered what driving school taught: don't panic. First, I slammed the brakes hard to confirm they weren't working, then decisively downshifted to slow down. I was driving an automatic, so I switched to manual mode and shifted to second gear, which noticeably reduced the speed. If it had been a manual car, I would have had to press the clutch to downshift. Then, I gently pulled the handbrake for assistance, gradually increasing the force to avoid tire skidding and losing control. While doing this, I shouted for all passengers to hold on tight, turned on the turn signal and hazard lights to warn the cars behind, and slowly steered towards the grassy roadside. Luckily, there weren't many cars around, and I managed to stop safely. Later, when I went to get it fixed, I found out that the brake failure was caused by rusted brake discs. Now, I always test the brakes before driving, focusing on prevention. In such situations, it's crucial not to panic—act quickly but steadily.

[StCatherine]

Oh, you can encounter all sorts of strange things when driving for a long time. When I was younger, I often taught my kids about driving safety. Nowadays, brake failure isn’t common, but don’t take it lightly. If it happens, stay calm and don’t panic. After pumping the brakes a few times to confirm they’re not working, prioritize using engine braking by downshifting—for example, shifting from fifth gear to third gear, which will naturally slow the car down. Then gently pull the handbrake, avoiding sudden force to prevent the car from skidding. Look for a safe and open area to stop, like the roadside or a service area. After stopping, check for possible issues, such as oil leaks or aging components. Remember, as long as the speed drops, safety comes first—don’t take unnecessary risks like using the car body to scrape for deceleration. Regular maintenance, like changing brake fluid every six months, can greatly reduce such troubles. Life experience has taught me that prevention is better than cure—drive steadily, not recklessly.