How to Solve Car Brake Failure?
4 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.
As a car enthusiast, brake system failure is no small matter. There are quite a few common causes: insufficient or contaminated brake fluid leading to hydraulic failure, excessive pad wear or disc rust reducing friction. You should be alert if you feel the pedal becoming soft or stiff. Emergency handling should not be delayed: quickly but smoothly apply the handbrake to provide partial braking force while downshifting to let the engine slow the vehicle. For automatic transmissions, switch to manual mode to downshift; for manual transmissions, directly shift to a lower gear to prevent loss of control. I take thorough preventive measures: change the brake fluid every two years to keep it clean, and perform simple response tests by lightly pressing the pedal when stationary to observe the sinking speed. Watch for oily traces as aging hoses are prone to cracking, and have a technician regularly check ABS and other electronic modules. This job is better left to professionals—don’t attempt DIY repairs recklessly. Ensuring driving safety is what truly matters.
If the brakes fail, act immediately. Try pumping the pedal to restore some pressure; if that doesn't work, don't waste time. Then, engage the handbrake—pull it gently and evenly, not abruptly—and downshift to slow down: for automatic transmissions, shift to L or S mode to manually reduce speed, while for manual transmissions, shift from higher to lower gears to use engine braking. Simultaneously, steady the steering wheel and find a safe spot, such as the roadside or an uphill slope, to pull over. Once stopped, turn on the hazard lights and keep the engine running to prevent vacuum failure, then call for help or a tow truck as soon as possible. Remember these steps—don't panic or think about anything else. Leave the post-incident repairs to professionals to diagnose issues like worn brake pads or fluid leaks.
