Why Do Cars Experience Brake Failure?
2 Answers
Causes of brake failure: 1. Lack of necessary maintenance in the braking system, leading to excessive impurities in the brake master cylinder, poor sealing, failure of the vacuum booster pump, or contaminated brake fluid; 2. Severe overloading, which increases the vehicle's inertia due to gravitational acceleration; 3. Use of inferior brake fluid. Methods to deal with brake failure: 1. Slow down immediately upon detecting the problem; 2. Activate the vehicle's hazard warning lights to avoid harming others; 3. Continuously press the brake pedal to check if the car can regain braking function and gradually pull up the handbrake to slow the car down; 4. Use contact with nearby structures, railings, or large trees to bring the vehicle to a stop.
Brake failure is no small matter. I've encountered several situations, the most common being brake fluid leakage. If you notice the brake pedal feels unusually soft or completely unresponsive, it could be due to a ruptured brake hose or loose connection, leading to insufficient hydraulic pressure and total system failure. Another possibility is air entering the brake lines, creating bubbles in the hydraulic system and significantly reducing braking effectiveness. A major issue is excessively worn brake pads, especially in older vehicles. After certain mileage, the pads thin out, causing insufficient friction and potential skidding. External factors like overheated brake discs during continuous downhill driving can also be dangerous – when the metal turns red-hot, the friction coefficient drops sharply, making the car feel unstoppable. I recommend checking brake fluid levels and pad thickness during every maintenance service. If any abnormality is detected, visit a repair shop immediately – never compromise on safety.
