No one ever expects having to deal with a complete brake failure on their morning commute, but unfortunately, accidents like these do happen. Though rare, these situations can be horrifying, but if something like this happens to you, there’s a lot more you can do besides panic. In fact, knowing what to do if your brakes fail can make a huge difference in how well you are able to handle the situation and can help you stay in control a lot more than you may initially think.
Welsh Automotive has worked on thousands of brake systems at both our Exton and West Chester locations, and we understand exactly how modern braking systems respond under stress. The key is always to stay calm and act deliberately, so here is everything you need to know about how to stop a car with no brakes.
Why Does Brake Failure Happen?
Brake failure almost never happens without a mechanical reason. In most cases, it usually comes down to a loss of hydraulic pressure, which can come from a number of different issues. Whether it’s brake fluid leaks, air in the brake lines, or a failing master cylinder, all of these issues can prevent your system from building the pressure necessary to stop your vehicle.
Worn brake pads and damaged rotors can also reduce your stopping ability. If components like these are too worn down, your braking system may struggle to generate enough friction. Even overheated brakes from long downhill driving or repeated hard stops can temporarily reduce your ability to stop safely as well.
Are There Warning Signs Before Your Brakes Fail?
Most vehicles provide plenty of early warning signs of break failure long before a total brake loss occurs. Everything from your brake pedal feeling overly soft or spongy to hearing grinding or squealing noises when you brake indicates that something is wrong.
Other common signs include your vehicle pulling to one side while you brake or simply noticing that the brake warning light on your dashboard is on. Either way, it doesn’t matter which signs you notice first as long as you address these symptoms early to prevent them from getting worse and leaving you in a dangerous situation.
What Should You Do If Your Brakes Fail?
When drivers ask us what you should do if your brakes fail, our first answer is always the same. Stay calm and focus on control. Panicking never helps and can easily lead to oversteering or abrupt decision-making that turns a bad situation into a worse one.
Though it may sound cliché, do your best to take a deep breath and keep both hands firmly on the wheel. When your brakes fail, you should still have complete control over steering, and that gives you options to work with.
How Do You Alert Other Drivers?
If your brakes fail, you should turn on your hazard lights immediately. This signals to all of the other drivers on the road that something is wrong and encourages them to give you space.
You also shouldn’t be shy about using your horn if traffic ahead is slowing down. Clear communication on the road reduces the chance of secondary collisions and should hopefully give you more room to maneuver safely toward the shoulder.
How Do You Pump the Brake Pedal?
One of the first physical steps you should take if your brakes fail is to pump the brake pedal rapidly and firmly. In most hydraulic braking systems, pumping can help temporarily rebuild pressure if there is a minor fluid issue.
You should continue to press down on the pedal repeatedly and see if resistance returns. This technique won’t fix the underlying issue, but it can potentially provide enough braking power to help you slow down safely.
How To Stop a Car With No Brakes
Though it’s not the healthiest thing to do for your engine or transmission, engine braking is an effective technique that can help you slow down. All you need to do is remove your foot from the accelerator and gradually shift your vehicle into lower gears to let engine resistance slow you down.
Engine braking reduces speed without relying on the braking system itself and is one of the safest and most controlled ways to slow your vehicle if your primary brakes are not responding.
Should You Use the Parking Brake?
Your parking brake can help slow the vehicle, but it’s something that you need to be careful with. Pulling it too quickly can cause the back wheels to lock, so make sure that you do it slowly and carefully to avoid losing control of the vehicle.
How Do You Safely Steer Off the Road?
As your vehicle begins to slow down, try your best to steer it toward the shoulder or any other safe open area. Depending on how fast you’re going, you may need to look quite far ahead and plan your path. Just make sure to avoid any sharp turns that could destabilize your vehicle.
If possible, steer toward an uphill area, which will naturally help slow your momentum. In the worst case scenario, guardrails and soft terrain can be your last resort if a collision is otherwise unavoidable.
What Should You Avoid Doing During Brake Failure?
Turning off the engine may seem like a logical move, but it can actually do a lot more harm than good. Turning off the engine will remove power steering assistance and power brake support, and in older vehicles, it can even completely lock the steering wheel, removing any control that you could hope to have.
Why is Aggressive Steering So Dangerous?
If your brakes go out while driving, you should also try your best to stay straight. Sudden swerving and sharp turning can and will cause your vehicle to lose traction and potentially roll, especially at higher speeds.
If your brakes fail, your goal should always be steady deceleration and controlled positioning, and definitely not to make any abrupt maneuvers that create new hazards.
What If Your Brakes Went Out While Driving at Highway Speeds?
If your brakes go out while driving at highway speeds, distance becomes the most important variable, as the faster you are going, the more time and space you will need to come to a complete stop.
Still, your response should be largely the same regardless of how fast you are going. Just remove your foot from the accelerator, activate hazard lights, and begin downshifting until you are able to slow down and stop.
Where Should You Guide Your Vehicle?
In situations like these, exit ramps and wide shoulders are your best friends. An uphill exit is even better because gravity will help you slow down faster. Whatever you do, do your best to avoid staying in active traffic lanes longer than necessary.
What Should You Do After You Come to a Stop?
Once the difficult and scary part is over and you come to a complete stop, you should call roadside assistance for a tow as soon as possible. The tow truck will be the only way to get your vehicle to a repair shop safely, so just stay patient and wait for help to arrive.
Whatever you do, do not try to get back into your car and start driving again. Nothing good can come from this, and you’ll likely just end up back in the same exact scary situation that you just got out of.
How Can You Prevent Brake Failure?
Routine inspections are always the best defense against any unexpected brake failures. During these inspections, your technician will meticulously check every single part of your braking system and run automotive diagnostics to ensure that everything is in peak working condition before you leave.
Other than routine inspections, you should be quick to schedule maintenance or repair services if you notice any unusual engine noises, vibrations, or changes in pedal feel. These are always signs that something is wrong, and acting quickly to remedy those problems can go a long way to preventing brake problems down the line.
Contact Welsh Automotive and Schedule Your Next Brake Inspection Today
Are you dealing with brake problems? Do you want to make sure your brakes will continue to work as they should? Give us a call.
Our friendly team of automotive experts is always here to answer your questions and will happily tell you more about how we can help you stay safe and comfortable on the road. We’ll even help you schedule your next service appointment and provide suggestions about how to keep your vehicle in peak condition.
Contact Welsh Automotive and schedule your next brake inspection today.