Interesting and informative article…also reminded me of the inumerous filmy scenes but I thoughtI ‘d share it here..Khuda na khawastaa kissi ko zaroorat parh jai…hopefully not
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[li]Don’t panic![/li][li]Take your foot off the gas, and turn off cruise control. Cruise control systems are virtually “fail-safe,” but make sure it’s off![/li][li]Pump your brakes. Pumping your brakes several times may rebuild enough pressure in the braking system for you to stop. This may take a while, so keep trying. You should do this even if your car is equipped with ABS as the ABS is only activated when your car is braking too hard, which won’t be the problem if your brakes have failed.[/li][li]Shift into low gear. If you have a manual transmission, downshift quickly. You may not be able to downshift directly into first or second gear at high speeds, but go into the lowest gear you can, and try to downshift again once the vehicle slows a bit. If you have an automatic transmission, shift into low range (generally labeled as “1” on the shifting mechanism). Again, if you can’t go directly into the lowest range, try gradually shifting down.[/li][li]Use the emergency brake. The emergency brake, or “parking brake,” can usually stop a vehicle, although it will take longer than usual to come to a stop. Apply the brake (depending on your vehicle this is done either by pulling up on the handle or pushing down on the pedal) slowly and steadily. Remember that your emergency brake, like any other brake, can lock your tires if applied too hard or too fast, especially at high speed. If you pull up the brake quickly, you may lose control of your vehicle. To prevent this, use the release button (if your car has one) as you apply the emergency brake. This allows you to modulate the pressure with which you are applying the brake. If you feel or hear your tires lock, release a small bit of pressure from the brake application and hold it there.[ul][/li][li]If you have a hand brake, keep the release button engaged[/li][li]If you have a foot brake, hold the release lever as you push down on the brake[/li][li]If you have a foot brake with a push-to-release system, squeeze down very, very slowly. If your tires lock up, release the brake and either try again, not applying as much pressure as before, or move on and try something else! Remember, the most important thing is to stay calm so that all of your options are open to you[/ul][/li][li]Keep your eyes on the road and continue to steer. Pay attention to what’s in front of you, and maneuver to avoid heavy traffic, pedestrians, and dangerous obstacles. The one exception is if your brakes don’t work because something is stuck under the pedal. If that’s the case, you should try to remove the object with your foot, rather than bending down to get it.[/li][li]Warn other drivers and pedestrians. Turn your hazard lights on, and honk your horn to make others aware that there is a problem. While they may not be able to figure out what the problem it is, a warning should cause most people to proceed with caution and pay attention to what your vehicle is doing.[/li][li]Slow the vehicle however you can. If the above measures fail to stop you, or if you must stop very quickly, do whatever you can. Ideally, you could use a runaway truck ramp, but as these are not particularly common, you’ll probably have to improvise. Keep in mind, however, that these techniques can be very dangerous, especially at high speeds, and should only be used as last resorts.[/li][ul]
[li]Use friction to slow your vehicle. Driving through gravel or dirt (such as you might find right off the side of the road) can slow your vehicle considerably. Be very cautious when using this technique. Sudden terrain changes – especially if only under the wheels on one side of the car – can cause the car to flip, and may cause serious injury or death to yourself or others.[/li][li]Use guardrails to slow your vehicle. Cement dividers are built pear-shaped so that contact is made with the wheels, not with the precious metal and paint of your automobile. Applying friction to the rubber on your wheels will slow the car considerably without harming other portions of your vehicle. You can also gently sideswipe whatever is available.[/li][li]Use terrain to your advantage. Try to seek out inclines that you can go up. If this does not bring your car to a stop, be prepared to do some reverse driving.[/li][li]Small trees and shrubbery will slow your vehicle when all else fails. Try to put your vehicle through the center of a line of shrubs or saplings, being careful not to pick a tree that is too heavy for your car to go through. Trees with trunks over 4 inches (116 mm) are considered dangerous to occupants of motor vehicles. Large trees can be fatal.[/li][li]Hit the back of another car. While obviously not a first choice, it can slow your vehicle. If you’re going to do so, try to warn the driver in front of you by honking your horn. Try to strike a vehicle that is traveling at about the same speed as yours (hitting a slow-moving or parked car will stop you, but the deceleration will be quick and extreme) and attempt to make impact squarely on the back of the vehicle. Glancing blows will likely send both vehicles out of control.[/ul][/li][li]Look for a safe spot to pull over (or to crash). Scan the road ahead for a safe area to pull over once you’re able to come to a stop. If you’re not able to bring the vehicle to a complete stop, look for open spaces that you can coast across without hitting anything.[/li][ul]
[li]If the safest spot to “crash land” your vehicle requires you to jump a curb, extra caution must be taken. Even with power steering, the cars’ initial reaction will be to rip the steering wheel from your hands, bounce from the curb and back into traffic. It is imperative that you grip the steering wheel in a firm manner and angle your car deep enough into the curb so that it will go up and over, yet shallow enough so that you don’t turn the car completely and lose control in a spin.[/ul][/li][/ol]
Tips
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[li]Unfortunately, there are no manual or automatic transmissions capable of shifting into reverse while the drive wheels are moving forwards. Shifting a manual transmission into reverse while the car is moving forward is not possible; shifting an automatic transmission into reverse while the car is moving forward will not engage reverse gear. Do not attempt to slow a runaway vehicle by shifting into reverse. Instead try shifting into a lower forward gear.[/li][li]Several “brake failure” cases are brought about by an object getting stuck under the brake pedal, such as a toy or a soda bottle. Avoid this situation by keeping your car clean and free of debris, especially the area around the driver’s seat.[/li][li]It’s been done on ‘Worst-Case Scenario’. But only turn your car in a serpent sequence (turning S’s) when you have a wide, straight and flat (or downhill) road. Also, don’t turn too sharply because that may flip your vehicle over.[/li][li]You can avoid most instances of brake failure by regularly checking your brake fluid and changing it according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. You should also have your entire brake system inspected at regular intervals or if you notice any change in the performance of your brakes. Don’t put off making necessary repairs or performing routine maintenance.[/li][li]Brake failure is dangerous anyway, but it can be even worse if you’re driving aggressively or negligently. Always avoid “tailgating” vehicles in front of you, proceed with caution in bad weather conditions, and mind the speed limit.[/li][li]Downshift when going downhill. Overuse of your brakes will cause them to overheat and fail. Downshift and use engine braking. Additionally, never “ride the brakes” when going down a prolonged incline. Brake hard, slowing the vehicle significantly, then coast for a time, then brake again. This allows the brake pads to cool between uses.[/li][li]You will generally not be able to shift to reverse while the vehicle is moving, but if everything short of crashing is exhausted try it. Note that computer controlled transmissions will not do a forward-to-reverse gear change when running above 10–15mph, and that there is a large chance of destroying the clutch packs and brakes in an automatic transmission, snapping the teeth off of a reverse gear in a manual transmission, and stalling the engine in both cases.[/li][li]Do not shift an automatic transmission into park when moving. The parking pawl that binds the transmission will not be able to support a moving car.[/li][li]Try steering your car so it goes uphill, as gravity will slow your vehicle down. Make sure to find flat ground uphill to avoid causing your car to go backwards due to gravity.[/li][li]With a manual transmission you can possibly stop the car very quickly by slamming it into reverse, though this should only be done as a very last resort, as you could not only lose control, but your transmission will most likely be destroyed as well.[/li][li]That red “brake light” comes on for a lot of reasons! It’s not just to tell you that your parking brake is engaged. Check every time you start the car that it flashes, to make sure it’s working. If it comes on while you’re driving, you’ve lost at least half of your braking system. If it comes on while you’re applying the brakes, you have a problem.[/li][li]Never use hand brakes to slow down the car when you are going at speeds faster than 60 KM/H, this will make you lose control of your vehicle.[/ul] [/li]
Warnings
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[li]Do not shut the engine off during a brake failure, as the majority of power steering systems are hydraulically driven, and regulated by engine vacuum. If you do panic and shut the engine off, hydraulic systems typically give you three more power assisted pumps. Turn the key to the second position (accessories) so the steering wheel doesn’t lock.[/li][li]Sudden down-shifts may damage your transmission. This is especially true if you manage to shift in reverse. That said, you must do what is necessary to stop the vehicle.[/li][li]Once you manage to stop the vehicle, do not attempt to drive it again until you are sure the problem is fixed.[/li][li]Don’t try this unless 100% necessary. Don’t strike another car or drive off the road unless it is your last resort, as you could end up killing nearby pedestrians or the occupants of your vehicle.[/ul] [/li]
Things You’ll Need
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[li]Failed brakes[/li][*]A long, flat (or downhill) stretch of road[/ul]
.. dont worry there are loads of trees and poles on roads .. kindly use them while stoping a car with no Barkes ..
