What To Do If The Brakes Fail On Your Car
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by: MagnusBosserent
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Word Count: 585
Drum brakes are being superseded with calliper brakes to make a better system for stopping a vehicle. Tyre construction helps reduce the pressure applied to brakes, as well. The contemporary production presents more safety for the driver. Unfortunately, there are bound to be times when a cars brakes do fail. When this happens it is imperative that you can stop safe and sound.
1. Stopping Your Vehicle if You Have Soft or Spongy Brake Pedals
Maintaining your brakes in good, working condition means that you should check for possible leaks in the brake line. If there is a hydraulic leak then the brakes will not stop you properly. When the pedal is depressed the brake fluid is compressed. This allows for the fluid to reach the brake callipers. When this happens the brake pads are constricted on the disc brake. This allows for friction which makes the wheels slow. The closed loop system ensures that the brake fluid stays under pressure and that no fluid can escape.
When a leak exists the pressure is less, but it is not nonexistent. Instead the brakes will feel soft under your foot. They may not react as quickly to stop the car as they have in the past.
If this happens to you, the best thing to do is apply a mild pumping action to the brake pedal. This will build up some pressure and have you stopping in a safe manner. In order to avoid a complete failure of the brake system you will want to have a mechanic inspect your vehicle.
2. How to Prevent Brake Fade and What to Do if it Happens
Brake fade is a technical term to explain hot brakes. Brakes when they become hot can lose their stopping potential. This condition normally occurs on roads with steep grades where you are using your brake system more often. Normal operating situations rarely cause brake fade. However, braking at high speed or frequent use of your brakes can make them heat up. In a situation of hot brakes the fluid could actually boil.
The issue with hot brakes is not lasting. The system can be returned to normal with a stop by the side of the road to allow the mechanism to cool. In downhill situations staying in a lower gear also helps slow the vehicle on the descent, without overuse of the brakes.
3. Options You Have For When Brakes Fail Completely
Complete failure in the braking system is fearful for any driver. There are numerous situations that could result from a complete lack of brakes. At any time that you suspect you have a problem with the brakes you will need to pump them to help build pressure. By pumping the brakes you are also alerting the other drivers to your intentions. In a manual or automatic you can downshift from a higher speed without the brakes causing the vehicle to slow. Another option if these other two tactics are not sufficient is to gently use the handbrake to come to a stop.
In all cases of complete failure it is essential to keep a cool mind even when a crash may be the end result. You should look for an area to crash the vehicle in a more tolerant manner allowing the force of the crash to be better absorbed. Try to crash into a brick wall or other parked vehicle, over a tree or post. The force is spread out more evenly on the vehicle, helping to create an easier less impactful stop, thus less severe injury.
About the Author
Alongside making sure your brakes are working properly, it is just as important to ensure that your Car Lights are in excellent working order and that you can see and be seen by other road users. Installing new Xenon Headlight Bulbs is an excellent way to extend your night time visibility, so you can enjoy driving in the dark.
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