What to Do When the Brakes Fail in an Automatic Transmission Car?
3 Answers
Try not to panic, as panic can cloud your judgment. At this moment, continuously press the brake pedal and avoid pressing the accelerator. Without pressing the accelerator, the vehicle will slow down. If you're on a downhill or turning section, shift into manual mode and then downshift. If it's not an electronic parking brake, pull and release the handbrake repeatedly to gradually slow down the vehicle, or even bring it to a stop.
I remember that time when I was driving and the brakes suddenly failed. As someone who has been driving for twenty years, I immediately stayed calm. Pumping the brake pedal a few times might restore some pressure, as sometimes it's an issue with the air pump. Then, I shifted to a lower gear—my automatic car has an L gear—which allowed me to slow down gradually using engine braking, while turning on the hazard lights to alert nearby vehicles. If the speed didn’t drop, I used the handbrake for assistance—pulling it slowly if it's mechanical, or avoiding sudden presses if it's electronic to prevent skidding. I made sure to keep the steering wheel steady and avoid erratic turns. If the car was still sliding, I’d gently scrape against a roadside guardrail to create friction and slow down—a lifesaver in critical moments. Once stopped, I called for a tow truck immediately and didn’t attempt to drive further. Brake failure could be due to fluid leaks or aging pipelines, and regular inspections and maintenance can prevent such troubles. Safe driving is the golden rule—only after experiencing it do you realize how crucial prevention is.
When the brakes failed that time, my heart was in my throat. As a novice driver, I first took deep breaths to calm myself down. Don't panic, try pumping the brakes a few times to see if they can recover. Then downshift—my car is automatic, so I shifted to S mode or manual first gear to slow down. Turn on the hazard lights to let others see my situation. Use the handbrake to assist—operate the electronic one gently and pull the mechanical one slowly. Hold the steering wheel firmly to avoid losing control and skidding. If it feels like it's not working, find an open road and pull over. If you can't stop, call for help or dial 120—don't try to handle it alone if you can't. Once stopped, absolutely do not drive again—call a professional mechanic to check. It might be due to worn brake pads or an ABS malfunction. Develop a good habit of checking the brakes regularly in the future to reduce risks.
