How to stop the car if the brakes fail at full speed

The brake mechanism is one of the most important parts of the car. If this system fails, it can become a serious safety hazard, not only for the driver, but also for others. There are several ways to stop the car in such emergency situations when the brake pedal does not respond.

Bleed the system if the situation permits

The braking system consists of two circuits. One may not work due to a breakdown or some kind of problem, in which case you can try to turn to the help of the second. To do this, you will need to pump the brakes by pressing the pedal with force several times in a row to build up more pressure, since air could get into the pipeline that should not be there. At the same time, it does not matter at all how the pedal itself will react: to be pressed with ease or to remain in a wedged state. The main task in this situation is precisely to push the brakes.

By bleeding the system in this way, you can briefly restore the brake pressure, which will be enough to be able to stop. This method is working even with the ABS system.

Car transmission

Downshifting gives you the ability to stop while using the engine. On an automatic transmission, you should move into the low gear range (on the shift panel it is most often indicated by the number "1"). With a manual transmission, in order for the car to start slowing down, you need to go down 1-2 gears at a time. Further, it will be necessary to continue a gradual decrease until the car comes to a complete stop.

When you need to stop as quickly as possible, you should still never downshift too quickly - a sharp shift immediately to first or second gear, as a rule, provokes a loss of control.

If there are additional means of braking, such as retarder, mountain or valve brakes, they should be applied slowly and carefully.

Handbrake

The handbrake can stop the car only if the speed was relatively low, otherwise the likelihood of skidding is too high. Such braking will take longer than the standard one, since during a manual stop, not all wheels are blocked at once, but only the rear ones. You need to raise the brake lever slowly and in one smooth movement, without interrupting it: too sharp use of the handbrake at speed can cause all wheels to be locked, which means that control of the car will be completely lost.

It is best to use engine braking if the situation permits.

If the gearbox in the car is manual, it is best to use engine braking: downshift gradually, one after the other, while pressing the clutch pedal as little as possible so that the connection between the motor and the gearbox is not lost. It is important to be careful that the car does not skid, and constantly monitor the tachometer needle: under no circumstances should it fall into the red zone. If the car has an automatic transmission, you will need to slow down by switching to manual mode, and then proceed in the same way as with the mechanics.

If the situation is very difficult, then you should slow down about everything that is possible.

When it is necessary to stop as quickly as possible or all possible methods have already been tried and have not brought the desired result, it remains to slow down on objects in the way: curbs, fences, trees, parked cars, etc. You need to be aware that such methods of braking are extremely dangerous, especially when driving at high speeds, and you need to resort to them only in emergency situations, as the last hope for salvation.

To slow down, you can use protective concrete barriers: they are usually shaped so that they only come into contact with the wheels, without touching the body. So you can slow down pretty quickly without damaging the rest of the car. In the same way, you can gently rub yourself sideways and on any other suitable object located on the side of the road or near the road.

All of the listed methods of braking can only be used in emergency cases, when the brakes have failed, and it is not possible to stop in the usual way. In addition, many experts recommend that motorists take courses in extreme or counter-emergency driving so as not to get lost in a difficult situation and be able to get off with minimal damage.