To prevent accidents and abide by traffic laws, you should be able to stop your car at a moment’s notice. That’s why it’s important to invest in brake repairs when needed and keep up with routine maintenance. Although taking precautions reduces the odds of brake failure, you should still know what to do if the situation does arise. 

4 Actions to Take When Your Brakes Fail

1. Downshift to a Lower Gear

To keep from moving forward when brakes fail, you might be tempted to put the car in reverse. If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, however, the electronic system won’t let you switch to reverse to slow down. Downshifting to a lower gear is the best way to reduce speed. If you are driving fast, quickly shifting to first gear could be dangerous or cause more strain to damaged components. In this case, gradually shift from a higher to lower gear in phases.

2. Engage the Emergency Brake

As the main brakes are designed to slow the car, the emergency or parking brake is meant to keep it in place. Engage the hand lever slowly, as moving it too fast could create too much pressure, causing the wheels to lock. If you have a foot braking system, tap on the pedal slowly, using light pressure.  

3. Pull Over to the Side of the Road

While you are downshifting and pressing the emergency brake, you should also be looking for a safe place to pull over the car. If possible, see if you can turn into a parking lot with few cars. Otherwise, look for an area with grass or gravel. The ground covering will also help slow the vehicle. 

4. Get Professional Help

Once you pull over the vehicle, call for help. You should keep the number of a local towing company in your glove compartment or do a web search on your phone. They can transport the car to a specialist for brake repairs. You might need a new pad, line, or master cylinder. Don’t try to drive the car until the problem is fixed.

To prevent dangerous malfunctions while driving, contact the trained technicians at Kettering-Oakwood Automotive for brake repairs. Based in Dayton, OH, the auto mechanics will service brakes and provide scheduled maintenance and additional solutions to keep you safe when driving. To schedule brake repairs, call (937) 299-2468, or visit the auto shop online to learn more about their services.