What to Do When Brakes Fail?
2 Answers
Solutions for brake failure include: 1. Use engine braking combined with the handbrake, first release the accelerator pedal, shift to manual mode and downshift from high gear to low gear sequentially; 2. Utilize terrain or emergency escape lanes to find suitable sections for deceleration, such as uphill roads or emergency escape lanes set up on highways or continuous downhill sections. Causes of brake failure include: 1. Severe overloading, which increases the vehicle's inertia under gravitational acceleration; 2. Improper operation, such as prolonged downhill driving that causes brake pads to overheat, brake drums to carbonize, and brake function to completely fail.
That sudden brake failure scared me into a cold sweat. The first thing I did wasn't to slam on the brakes, but to quickly pull up the handbrake evenly without locking it abruptly to avoid rear-wheel skidding. Then I immediately downshifted, where engine braking helped tremendously to gradually reduce speed. Simultaneously, I turned on the hazard lights to warn others and gently steered toward the roadside or emergency lane. If there were buffer grass piles or soft walls nearby, I'd lightly collide with them to minimize damage. Staying calm throughout the process was crucial, as panic would only make things worse. After stopping, I immediately got out to place warning triangles and called for rescue, thoroughly checking brake fluid and lines for leaks. Practicing these maneuvers regularly can save lives, preventing accidents during rush hours or downhill drives.
