If your brakes fail what is the first thing to do?

Answer 1

If your brakes fail, it is an emergency situation that requires quick and decisive actions. Follow these procedures:

• Shift to a lower gear to decrease the speed of the vehicle.
• Pump the brake pedal in an attempt to restore pressure to the brake system. If pressure is restored, stop pumping.
• If this technique does not restore your brakes, use the parking brake to aid in slowing and stopping the vehicle. Be careful; applying the parking brake too abruptly may lock the rear wheels and put the vehicle in a skid. To prevent this, use your thumb on the release button, or pull the brake release as you alternately apply and release pressure using the parking brake.
• If necessary, steer towards something soft (sand or pea gravel) or into a clear area off the roadway.
• If a collision is unavoidable, steer to sideswipe rather than colliding head-on; this will reduce the force of impact force.

Answer 2

If your regular brakes fail, try your emergency brake. If you are driving a manual transmission vehicle you can downshift which will help slow the vehicle down.

If none of your brakes are working and you really panic, throwing your transmission into reverse will slow you down. It will probably ruin your transmission, but could save your life.