Proper brake inspection and care can tackle most brake problems before they become serious. If you start to feel any changes in the noises your car is making or the pressure on your brake pedal, bring your car into one of the Chris Auffenberg family of dealerships throughout Missouri and Illinois for an inspection. To be safe, it’s important to know what happens if your brakes do fail. Find out some things you can do in that scary situation below.
What happens if my brakes fail?
Remain Calm
Don’t panic. Keeping calm will allow you to stay in control so you can put some strategies for stopping to use.
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Check for Obstructions
Check to make sure that your floor mat or any other debris, like a soda can, isn’t stuck under the brake pedal. If it is, kick it out and slowly apply the brakes.
Shift Your Car into a Lower Gear
If there is no debris, start by shifting your car into lower gears slowly. Don’t change gears too quickly as this could result in loss of control.
Alert Other Drivers and Pedestrians
Alert other drivers and pedestrians that there is an emergency by turning on your hazard lights and beeping your horn.
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Head to the Right Lane and/or Shoulder
If you are able to, safely move to the right side of the road or road shoulder.
Apply the Emergency Brake
First, you should try and slow your car by shifting into lower gears. Once your car has slowed, start to slowly apply your emergency brake. Don’t apply the brake too quickly or it could result in loss of control.
Check Your Surroundings
If you are surrounded by a lot of pedestrians, cars, or are having trouble slowing your car using the above methods, check your surroundings for areas that could help naturally slow your car like a field of tall grass or a truck runaway lane.
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Brake Failure Prevention
The best way to prevent brake failure is to keep up with regular vehicle maintenance. If you notice any of the following (minus a dirty car) head to the mechanic and get an inspection.
- Keep your car free from debris
- Illuminated brake light
- Changes in sound
- Changes in brake pedal pressure
Keep following the Chris Auffenberg blog for more automotive tips and tricks.
