When you’re on the road, it’s best to prepare for any type of situation while remaining vigilant and calm. If your brakes malfunction, it requires some quick thinking and careful driving to remain safe and get yourself to a point where you can call a towing service. The information below can help you navigate through this situation.

Do:

Downshift.

If you're driving a manual transmission vehicle, gradually downshift into the lowest gear possible. If you're in an automatic shift car, shift carefully out of D and into the next number gears—usually 3 or 2. If you feel a slight jolt, it means your engine’s RPM gauge is adopting a lower gear. The speed will reduce gradually, allowing you to take the next step. 

Engage emergency brake.

Very gently, engage the emergency brake. Do not pull it back or depress it completely, as this could cause your vehicle to spin out. Engage it slowly until you feel the car’s speed reduce. Keep your eyes on the road, and pull out of traffic as you slow to a stop. Make sure your vehicle is isolated from other cars to give the towing service ample room to park and tow your car. 

Don't:

Panic.

Remain as calm as possible. While it’s a stressful situation, ensure that you steer carefully and stay alert. It’s imperative that you react accordingly, as your actions can determine the outcome. Practice breathing exercises while you attempt to slow the car down to help you remain calm. 

Turn off the car.

Your instinct may be to turn off the engine right away. However, turning off the car could lock the steering wheel and prevent you from navigating around obstacles. Don't shut off the car until you have come to a complete stop.

 

If you experience brake failure, the professionals at A1 Towing Cincinnati, in the Greater Cincinnati area can tow you to safety. They offer fast, reliable towing service 24/7 to ensure that you receive help at any time of the day. Visit their website to view a list of services or call (513) 602-5493 to request towing or roadside assistance.