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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Car Talk / 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes (21916 Views)
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12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by adegoody(m): 9:32am On Jun 11, 2016 |
Imagine you’re exiting the freeway on that killer ramp with the steep grade and the hairpin turn. You try the brakes and... nothing happens. Careening toward the guardrail at 75 mph (121 km/h), you brace yourself for a 400-foot dive into a shallow lake full of fire-breathing alligators. Okay, that scenario is a bit unlikely, but the fact is that brake failure is a terrifying — and dangerous — experience no matter where it occurs. To learn how to stop a car if the brakes fail, read the following instructions. Steps 1. Don't panic! Overreacting to this situation will only make it more dangerous. Take your foot off the gas and turn off cruise control (if on). Cruise control systems should turn off as soon as you touch the brake or clutch, but to be safe, make sure it's switched off. 2. Pay attention to how your brake pedal feels. If it’s soft and goes to the floor, you may have low fluid, a faulty master cylinder or problems with your drums or calipers. You may be able to rebuild some braking pressure by pumping the brakes. If, however, your brake pedal is hard and does not move, something in your brake system may have seized or you may have an obstruction under the pedal. Try to feel with your foot (or have a passenger look) to see whether you have something under the brake pedal. 3. Pump your brakes. Pumping your brakes several times may rebuild enough pressure in the braking system for you to stop. This may take a while, so keep trying. You should do this even if your car is equipped with ABS, as the ABS is only activated when your car is braking too hard (which won't be the problem if your brakes have failed). Then, regardless of whether the car has ABS brakes or not, quickly squeeze the brakes down to the floor to make the most out of all of the pressure you have preserved or built- up, as hydraulic (or air) brakes rarely fail all together. Keep the brakes squeezed to the floor. 4. Shift into low gear. Shifting into lower gears helps slow you by using your engine to slow the car. If you have an automatic transmission, downshift a gear at a time into low range (generally labeled as “1” on the shifting mechanism). If you have a manual transmission, downshift a gear or two at a time, feel the car slow, and repeat as you work down through the gears. Unless you need to slow the car as soon as possible, be careful not to downshift too quickly; rapid downshifts into first or second gear can cause you to lose control. If you have tap-to-shift, shift into manual "M" (generally to the right or left of "Drive" on console-shift vehicles or the bottom gear on column- shift vehicles) and press the minus button to shift down. Again, if you can’t go directly into the lowest range, try gradually shifting down. If you have an additional means of slowing down the car, like a retarder, exhaust brake, or Jake brake, use it slowly. 5. Use the emergency brake. The emergency brake, or parking brake, can usually stop a vehicle, although it will take longer than usual to come to a stop because it only stops the rear wheels. Apply the brake (depending on your vehicle this is done either by pulling up on the handle or pushing down on the pedal) slowly and steadily; your emergency brake can lock your tire if applied too hard or too fast, especially at high speed. If you pull up the brake quickly, you may lose control of your vehicle. To prevent this, keep the release button engaged (if your car has one) as you apply the emergency brake. This allows you to modulate the pressure with which you are applying the brake. If you feel or hear your tires lock, release a small bit of pressure from the brake application and hold it there. It should be stated that if the tires do squeal slightly, it does not necessarily mean that they are indeed locked-up. With a handlebar E-brake, one can initially apply it up to three clicks (to enable a controlled slow-down) and then apply an additional one or two extra clicks (to bring the car to a final halt). 6. Keep your eyes on the road and continue to steer. Pay attention to what’s in front of you, and maneuver to avoid heavy traffic, pedestrians, and dangerous obstacles. Warn other drivers and pedestrians. Turn your hazard lights on, and honk your horn to make others aware that there is a problem. (Be sure to know the location of the hazard light button prior to such a situation.) While they may not be able to figure out what the problem is, a warning should cause most people to proceed with caution and pay attention to what your vehicle is doing. Open windows to allow air resistance to slow you down as well as enable you to shout to other passengers and drivers. If you have room on either side of you, steer sharply from side-to-side. Turning creates friction, which slows your car naturally. If you do not have brakes, try turning sharply from left to right over and over to slow your car down. Do not do this at high speeds . Turning at high speeds may flip your car and turning too sharply at any speed can spin your car around, so be careful. 7. Use your surroundings to slow the vehicle. If the above measures fail to stop you, or if you must stop very quickly, do whatever you can to get under control. Ideally, you could use a runaway truck ramp, but as these are not particularly common, you’ll probably have to improvise. Keep in mind, however, that these techniques can be very dangerous – especially at high speeds – and should only be used as last resorts. 8. Use terrain to your advantage. Try to seek out inclines that you can go up. If this does not bring your car to a stop, be prepared to do some reverse driving and/ or use the emergency brake at the appropriate time. 9. Use guardrails to slow your vehicle. Cement dividers are built pear-shaped so that contact is made with the wheels, not with the precious metal and paint of your automobile. Applying friction to the rubber on your wheels will slow the car considerably without harming other portions of your vehicle. You can also gently sideswipe whatever is available. 10. Use road friction to slow your vehicle. Driving through gravel or dirt (such as you might find right off the side of the road) can slow your vehicle considerably. Be very cautious when using this technique. Sudden terrain changes -- especially if only under the wheels on one side of the car -- can cause the car to flip, and may cause serious injury or death to yourself or others. Approach to a graveled or grassy shoulder must be made progressively, smoothly and gently. Afterward, the car must be stabilized as it is driving along the shoulder of the road. Small trees and shrubbery will slow your vehicle when all else fails. Try to put your vehicle through the center of a line of shrubs or saplings, being careful not to pick a tree that is too heavy for your car to go through. Trees with trunks over 4 inches (116 mm) are considered dangerous to occupants of motor vehicles. Large trees can be fatal. 11. Hit the back of another car. While obviously not a first choice, it will slow your vehicle. If you’re going to do so, try to warn the driver in front of you by honking your horn. Try to strike a vehicle that is traveling at about the same speed as yours (hitting a slow-moving or parked car will stop you, but the deceleration will be quick and extreme) and attempt to make impact squarely on the back of the vehicle. Glancing blows will likely send both vehicles out of control. Be extremely careful not to hit too hard as your airbag may go off. 12. Look for a safe spot to pull over (or to crash). Scan the road ahead for a safe area to pull over once you’re able to come to a stop. If you’re not able to bring the vehicle to a complete stop, look for open spaces that you can coast across without hitting anything. If all alternatives have failed, plan a crash stop. The safest method is to look for a bushy protrusions or shrubs and run it through the friction will significantly reduce car speed to a halt. if there are no bushes go for grass, especially tall grass run the car through the tall grass and it will come to a halt. finally if there is none the last way is go for sand, sand is so unstable will definitely halt your car, especially wet sand. If the safest spot to "crash land" your vehicle requires you to jump a curb, extra caution must be taken. Even with power steering, the cars' initial reaction will be to rip the steering wheel from your hands, bounce from the curb and back into traffic. It is imperative that you grip the steering wheel in a firm manner and angle your car deep enough into the curb so that it will go up and over, yet shallow enough so that you don't turn the car completely and lose control in a spin. 13 Likes 6 Shares
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Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by nepapole(m): 11:42am On Jun 11, 2016 |
That no 11 ehn...GBESE re oooo!!!! 12 Likes |
Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by Nutase: 6:48am On Jun 12, 2016 |
. Who is d maga above me 1 Like |
Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by menstrualpad: 6:48am On Jun 12, 2016 |
Oh no not again! Y does nairaland like recycling threads? 3 Likes |
Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by leledels: 6:51am On Jun 12, 2016 |
007 state of mind 1 Like |
Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by datopaper(m): 6:51am On Jun 12, 2016 |
I have been looking for this tread long long time. I pray it work if unexpected occur |
Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by lifezone247(m): 6:51am On Jun 12, 2016 |
Morning mods, na this one we want start with this Sunday morning? |
Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by ZORO47(m): 7:00am On Jun 12, 2016 |
13. Shout "BLOOD OF JESUS!!" 12 Likes |
Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by Nobody: 7:04am On Jun 12, 2016 |
If none works, just look for an APC member 12 Likes |
Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by frubben(m): 7:07am On Jun 12, 2016 |
That's why its good to double check all dis tins before leaving home. Nice write up op u head is dere 3 Likes |
Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by ericmor: 7:10am On Jun 12, 2016 |
lifezone247: Lol |
Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by magicfingers009: 7:10am On Jun 12, 2016 |
Very enlightening. But that number 11 ehn, who go gree? |
Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by DonX001: 7:11am On Jun 12, 2016 |
Lol....if you're going to use number 11 though....Make sure it's not a soldier's car you're bashing into....or you're better off heading into the lagoon 1 Like |
Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by admindim: 7:12am On Jun 12, 2016 |
great |
Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by valkingsley(m): 7:12am On Jun 12, 2016 |
Great write up. Thumps up op 1 Like |
Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by Fogman(m): 7:12am On Jun 12, 2016 |
Informative |
Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by Nobody: 7:15am On Jun 12, 2016 |
Many female drivers panic in cases like this. I've seen time without number women behind the wheel scream while surrendering all forms of action as if the intensity of their screams alone would resolve the situation. I learned a good tip especially with the emergency brake. I never knew one could reduce and magnify the pressure applied, I always thought it was either a lock or unlock application. Would keep the tip in mind always and start practicing stopping my cars using the emergency brake -- regular practice would get me used to the habit of engaging it when necessary. 1 Like |
Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by Raypawer(m): 7:22am On Jun 12, 2016 |
Good Info, but pray it should not happen 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by DaBullIT(m): 7:25am On Jun 12, 2016 |
Goood Scanning through experience, please wait Loading .................................. My brother , this copy and paste job dey make sense shugbon not all the time If your brake fails NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER IN YOUR LIFE OR YOUR FATHER'S LIFE USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE(Hand Brakes ) If you are not taught how to use it , It does not stop vehicles Like the original brakes , Hand brake takes control of your steering wheel and if you are not holding on tight to your steering, your car will spin out of control Down shift means if you are on gear 5 and 130km/h , shift your gear to 3 directly, your car will screech , make noise as if heaven is falling No mind am , na wash RPM has been exceeded so your car will try to re-adjust to get in sync , once the noise reduces , shift to two and then one !!! if you use Auto , shift from D (Drive ) to 3, 2 , and then 1 If there's any issue with your brakes, Rule one is do not panic Rule one and Half, keep your eyes on the road, Nna , na 9ja you dey land of potholes Rule OneThreeQuater , Hol your steering like say tomorrow no dey rule two ,do not press and hold brake , step on it and release (Pump it) Rule 3 , We know say fear don catch you ,But bros abeg no go still dey match turtle (Throttle) Join , Turtle and brake na different work , so if ths one confuse you , apply rule 1 , NO PANIC and commot leg from turtle Never for your life talk say you go kiss another person car from Yansh, if your speed too much and you no wear seatbelt make he no be say na front of the other person car you go land, and if the other car wey you wan kiss self no wear belt, he get something wey obodo oyinbo dey call WHIPLASH , WHIPLASH be like sudden Igbarun, he dey snap neck , you go just hear Gbrack !!!!! , Neck don break , Instead of to dey find car to jam, try apply all these rules and i sure say God go epp you 18 Likes |
Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by Frank3n2(m): 7:31am On Jun 12, 2016 |
Nice write up! But please space it. Cheers! |
Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by ictmikky(m): 7:59am On Jun 12, 2016 |
Point 1 is very valid. Panic will only worsen the situation 1 Like |
Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by pendusky(m): 8:02am On Jun 12, 2016 |
I read this same topic here in 2012 when sexkillz was still a mode ( Where is that guy though ) then Lalasticala were still in primary school www.nairaland.com/1013330/what-when-brakes-fail I am happy the boss (www.nairaland.com/Siena) is still active, he simply give the best answers! |
Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by chimah3(m): 8:05am On Jun 12, 2016 |
Plead the blood of Jesus |
Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by Ayatul(m): 8:29am On Jun 12, 2016 |
Hitting an heavy sand is actually the best. It happens to me on Lagos-Ibadan express way back then in 2013. Thank God for life tho. |
Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by Tapout(m): 8:36am On Jun 12, 2016 |
DaBullIT: true...but the hand brake can still be used depending on ur initial speed. I don't think using it at 30/40kmh wud spin ur car. Meanwhile, I've been a victim of brake failure once. Good thing it was on a sunday so I didn't really encounter much difficulty bringing the car to a halt. In fact I even drove home with it. But that feeling tho when u try to slow down and the car no gree answer I wouldn't like to experience such again, it's just too scary mehn 1 Like |
Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by DrManhattan: 8:42am On Jun 12, 2016 |
if u've seen the movie "the gods must be crazy", then brake failure shouldn't scare u. just jump down, grab a big stone and keep trying to wedge the car till it finally stops. but op and dabullit's method will be more safer, happy Sunday. 3 Likes |
Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by obaival(m): 8:54am On Jun 12, 2016 |
I didn't work on my own 3 Likes
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Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by Richy4(m): 9:24am On Jun 12, 2016 |
The best way is to take your car for servicing every now and then especially when the car is 3years old and counting. to avoid all these 12 point programme. |
Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by EOOJ(m): 9:29am On Jun 12, 2016 |
Na wa oooo...dat 11 |
Re: 12 Ways To Stop A Car With Faulty Brakes by JABB(m): 11:22am On Jun 12, 2016 |
DaBullIT: |
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