How to Solve Car Brake Failure?
2 Answers
Solutions for car brake failure are: 1. Use the handbrake to stop the car, but operate it properly and avoid pulling it abruptly; 2. For manual transmission cars, forced deceleration and stopping can be achieved by appropriately downshifting, releasing the accelerator, and utilizing the engine's cylinder compression to bring the car to a halt. If the first two methods do not work, honk loudly and ensure that vehicles or pedestrians ahead can avoid danger in time, especially on highways where you must use the emergency lane. Prioritize personal safety and prevent secondary accidents. If using the handbrake, pull it up slowly, avoiding a sudden full pull to prevent the car from rolling over due to high speed. Once the speed drops below 40, the handbrake can be fully engaged. The same applies to electronic handbrakes—activate them only after the speed has sufficiently reduced.
I've been driving for over 20 years and personally experienced that terrifying moment of brake failure. It happened on the highway—the pedal went soft with no pressure, and my heart sank. I didn't panic. I immediately engaged the electronic parking brake—careful not to pull too hard to avoid rear-wheel lockup—while downshifting to slow down: I drive a manual, so I dropped from 5th to 2nd gear to use engine braking. Once speed dropped below 40 km/h, I found an exit and pulled into a safe area. Inspection revealed the brake hose had aged and leaked all the fluid. So, the key in emergencies is staying calm: pull the parking brake, downshift, and don’t accelerate. For prevention, I check brake fluid level and color quarterly—replace if too dark or bubbly—and measure pad thickness regularly, replacing them if worn. A failing booster can also make the pedal stiff—don’t ignore squeaks. After safely stopping, always call a professional tow—never skimp on this cost.
