What are the deceleration methods to take when brakes suddenly fail?
3 Answers
When brakes suddenly fail, you should use the specially designed emergency escape ramp by the roadside to decelerate and stop, or rub the car body against rocks or trees on the side of the road, and quickly shift to a lower gear. Here is more information about brake failure: 1. Causes: (1) No brake fluid in the master cylinder. (2) The master cylinder piston cup is damaged or flipped. (3) Severe rupture or disconnection of the brake pipeline. 2. Diagnosis: In case of brake failure, stop the vehicle immediately and inspect. First, observe if there is any leaking brake fluid. If there is severe brake fluid leakage at the master cylinder push rod dust boot, it is mostly due to the master cylinder piston cup being flipped or severely damaged. If there is a large amount of brake fluid at the edge of a wheel brake drum, it indicates that the wheel cylinder piston cup is flipped or severely damaged. Pipeline leakage of brake fluid is generally clearly visible. If there is no sign of brake fluid leakage, check whether the brake fluid in the master cylinder reservoir is sufficient.
When I encounter sudden brake failure while driving, this emergency requires immediate and calm handling. First, I would try to downshift to utilize engine braking, such as gradually shifting from a higher gear to a lower one. The increased engine RPM will naturally slow the vehicle, which is quite reliable, but avoid downshifting too aggressively to prevent losing control. Then, gently pull up the handbrake to assist in slowing down, if the vehicle uses a handbrake to control the wheels—remember to pull it slightly, not all the way, to avoid locking the wheels and causing a rollover. If the road conditions permit, I would steer toward the roadside grass or dirt mounds to use friction for deceleration, or if there’s a slope, let the vehicle coast down to buffer the speed. Meanwhile, turn on the hazard lights and honk the horn to alert others about the emergency. Throughout the process, keep the steering wheel steady and avoid sharp turns to minimize risks. After stopping, immediately inspect the braking system or call for assistance. This method has helped me several times on mountain roads—the key is to stay calm and act steadily.
That brake failure incident nearly scared me to death, and I immediately tried to slow down. First, I used engine braking: if driving an automatic, I directly shifted from a higher gear to a slightly lower one; for a manual, I pressed the clutch and quickly downshifted. Then, I tried the handbrake, pulling it up slightly to avoid locking the wheels. If in an open area, I would attempt to steer onto dirt or sandy terrain for friction to slow down, not expecting to stop all at once but in stages. I turned on the hazard lights and honked the horn to warn others to stay away—safety first. Afterward, I learned my lesson and now regularly check the brake fluid, reminding myself that this technique can save lives at high speeds. Overall, slowing down should be methodical; panicking can make things worse. I usually maintain a steady deceleration until pulling over to the roadside before handling the aftermath.
