How to deal with car brake failure? If you find that the brake pedal becomes hard, the braking force suddenly decreases or completely fails while driving, do not panic. Keeping a clear judgment is the first step to avoid danger. The following six steps can minimize the risk.
1. Steady the direction and downshift step by step
Release the accelerator immediately and use the engine braking by downshifting step by step. Manual transmission models can switch from high gear to low gear in sequence, and automatic transmission models can switch to manual mode or L gear to slow down the speed through the engine’s reverse drag effect. Remember to avoid swerving to prevent the vehicle from losing control and sliding sideways.
2. Intermittently pull the handbrake to assist braking
The traditional mechanical handbrake needs to be pulled lightly at a uniform speed, and the pull-up amplitude is controlled within 2-3 gears each time to avoid rear wheel locking and causing tailspin. Models equipped with electronic handbrakes can press and hold the button, and the system will automatically distribute the braking force. If the vehicle is equipped with ESP body stability system, it may automatically intervene to assist in emergency braking.
3. Use friction buffer to slow down
Observe the road conditions and choose fixed obstacles such as mountains and guardrails, or use soft terrain such as roadside sand and green belts for controlled scraping. Keep the steering wheel stable during friction deceleration to avoid violent collisions and secondary accidents.
4. Double flash warning + horn warning
Turn on the double flash warning lights as soon as possible and keep honking to alert surrounding vehicles. You can switch to high beams at night to attract attention, but avoid direct exposure to the opposite lane. If you are on a highway, you can try to drive into the emergency parking lane or the escape lane.
5. Gradually pull over and park smoothly
Wait until the speed drops below 20km/h, observe the rearview mirror to confirm safety, and then slowly pull over. After pulling the handbrake, you need to place obstacles such as stones under the wheels to prevent the car from slipping. Evacuate outside the guardrail to call for rescue, and place a triangular warning sign 150 meters behind the car.
6. Post-incident maintenance and rights protection
Contact the 4S store or insurance company to tow the car for maintenance, focusing on common problems such as brake oil leakage and brake master cylinder failure. If it is a vehicle quality problem, save the dashcam video and maintenance records as evidence for rights protection.
Prevention tips: Regularly check the thickness of the brake pads (less than 3mm needs to be replaced), the water content of the brake fluid (more than 2.5% needs to be replaced), and test the brakes before long-distance travel to confirm the system status. Installing an OBD on-board diagnostic instrument can monitor the health of the brake system in real time.
In the event of an emergency, calm decision-making is more important than mechanical operation. Remember: give way to speed, not to the road, and prioritize personal safety.
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