What You Need to Know if Your Brakes Stop Working

What to Do If Your Brakes Stop Working While Driving: A Step-by-Step Guide

Some of our Wichita road are ranked fairly dangerous, so having a reliable brake system on your vehicle is important. Because, brakes are one of the most crucial safety features of your vehicle. And, experiencing brake failure while driving can be terrifying. So, in this blog, the experts at Tracy’s Tire Pros review the critical steps to take if your brakes suddenly stop working while you’re driving on the road.

1. Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

First, take a deep breath. Because panicking can impair your ability to think clearly and make the right decisions. And a calm mind is essential to navigate the situation safely. So, calmly assess whether you have space to maneuver your vehicle and what obstacles or traffic are around you.

2. Downshift to Lower Gears

Downshifting to a lower gear can help slow down your vehicle naturally if your brakes fail. so, whether you’re driving a car with an automatic or manual transmission, shift down gradually. Because, this will increase engine braking, which helps reduce your speed without relying on your brakes.

For automatic cars:

- Switch to “L” (low gear) or manually shift down using your gear selector.

For manual cars:

- Downshift one gear at a time, avoiding sudden shifts to very low gears to prevent loss of control.

3. Pump the Brakes

In some cases, especially with vehicles equipped with anti-lock braking systems (ABS), brake failure may not be complete. So, try pumping the brake pedal several times to build up brake pressure. Because, this may restore partial braking power and give you more control to slow down the car.

4. Use the Emergency Brake

Your vehicle’s emergency brake (also known as the parking brake or handbrake) operates separately from the main braking system. And it’s designed to be used in situations like brake failure. However, use it carefully to avoid locking up your wheels by applying the emergency brake slowly and steadily. Because jerking it up too quickly could cause you to skid.

5. Use Engine Braking and Gradually Decelerate

In addition to downshifting, take your foot off the accelerator to let the car slow down naturally. And if you’re on a highway or road with a wide shoulder, steer toward an area where you can safely decelerate. Also, don’t weave or swerve erratically, as this can make it harder to control your vehicle.

6. Steer Towards a Safe Area

Look for a safe place to steer your car. And if you’re on a highway or a busy road, signal to move to the shoulder or an emergency lane. Also, turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers of your situation. And, if possible, aim for a flat surface or an uphill incline. Because, this can help slow the car down naturally.

7. Use Physical Obstacles to Stop

If you’re unable to slow down using the above methods, you may need to use a physical obstacle to bring your vehicle to a halt. However, this should be done as a last resort. So, look for softer objects such as bushes, small trees, or guardrails that can stop your car with minimal damage. And avoid hard objects like large trees, utility poles, or other vehicles.

8. Warn Other Drivers

Use your car’s horn and hazard lights to alert other drivers that you are experiencing an emergency. Because, this will help reduce the risk of a collision as you attempt to slow down or pull over. And in extreme cases, if your car is completely out of control, you may need to use hand signals or wave to warn nearby drivers.

9. Call for Help

Once you have come to a stop, call Tracy’s Tire Pros for roadside assistance or a towing service. And don’t attempt to drive the vehicle again until a mechanic has thoroughly inspected it and addressed the cause of the brake failure.

Common Causes of Brake Failure

Understanding why brake failure happens can help you take preventive steps to avoid it in the future. And some of the most common causes include:

Loss of Brake Fluid: A leak in the brake fluid lines can cause hydraulic failure, leading to a complete loss of braking power.
Worn Brake Pads: Brake pads that are too worn can prevent the brakes from gripping the rotors effectively, reducing stopping power.
Faulty Master Cylinder: The master cylinder is responsible for generating hydraulic pressure in your brake system. So, if it fails, the brakes may not respond.
Overheating Brakes (Brake Fade): Continuous heavy braking, especially in hilly or mountainous areas, can cause your brakes to overheat and lose effectiveness.

How to Prevent Brake Failure

While brake failure is rare, regular maintenanc e and care can help prevent it from happening. So, here are a few tips to ensure your brakes are always in top shape:

Check brake fluid levels regularly and ensure there are no leaks.
Inspect your brake pads and rotors for wear and tear. And replace them when necessary.
Listen for unusual sounds, such as squealing or grinding, which may indicate brake problems.
Test your brakes periodically to ensure they are responsive and working correctly.
Avoid riding your brakes for long periods, especially on downhill roads, to prevent overheating.

Brake failure can be one of the scariest moments you’ll face as a driver.

However, knowing what to do and staying calm can help you navigate the situation safely. So if you ever experience brake failure, remember the steps: downshift, pump the brakes, use the emergency brake, and steer to safety. And always remember that regular brake maintenance can help minimize the chances of this happening. So call Tracy’s Tire Pros to keep your vehicle’s braking system in good working order.

Tracy’s Tire Pros can help you with any automotive issues that you may have. And they have three locations for your convenience: West Maple Street auto care and auto repair, East First Street N. and West 21st Street N. And, Tracy’s Automotive is a proud dealer for Jasper Engines and Vogue Performance Exhaust systems.

Call Today! -1st Street (316)267-0030 - West Maple (316)945-3414 - 21st Street (316) 558-3880