What should you do without conventional breaks in an emergency?

Question

In an emergency, should you pump conventional breaks or apply a steady pressure wihtout locking the breaks? In my permit book it says one thing, but then on the DMV pratice test it says another.

Answer 1

Depends on the emergency. In most conditions, pumping your brakes is more effective.  If you have ABS system, it does it for you.

Answer 2

Do NOT do what fordman said:

1. If you turn off the engine, the power steering stops working.

2. If you suddenly or rapidly apply the parking brake, the wheels lock and the car skids out of control.

Answer 3

if you don't have convential brakes you will need to use the emergency brake and if that fails you will need to use the transmission to slow you down, if that fails look for the best place to hit something a dirt bank or run off into a field.

Answer 4

On a standard transmission, downshift till it is safe to gradually use your parking brake to bring your car to a halt

On an automatic transmission, shift from drive to low, then to 2, then 1 and slow the car down using the engine then gradually use your parking brake to bring your car to a halt.

Answer 5

If your service brake (regular foot brake) fails due to a line being cut or some other reason, then you have your E-brake (Emergency brake/Parking brake) as a backup system.

This is a "cable" brake, and works similar to your bicycle cable brake (when you apply the brake, it pulls a cable and MANUALLY applies your rear brakes).......people rarely use their Parking/Emergency brake and don't know how it works....

When you apply the Emergency brake, don't lock it up.

If you have your E-brake on your center console, then hold in the button and use this brake in a "feathering" fashion, but don't release the button or your rear brakes will LOCK on......

so, you hold in the button and move this brake handle in an up and down (on and off) fashion. Your vehicle will slow down and stop, but it will take longer.

If you have one of those E-brakes over on the left side of the floor under the dash, then hold up the release lever while you pump it. If you have no lever, then you will have to slightly press the e-brake, then press again to release it, but don't let the pedal come all the way up. You can then pump it up and down.

When using conventional brakes, apply steady pressure. Practice this method, known as "threshold braking", and you will find that it works very well.

To do this, press your brake pedal down quickly to the point JUST BEFORE lockup and then come off a bit and brake again to a soft stop. You can come to a soft stop even though you are using this "threshold braking" method.

I hope this is simple enough to understand. Bottom line, get to know how your vehicle operates, and know your limitations, both mechanically and mentally.

Answer 6

1. pump the brake pedal.

2. apply the foot brake while holding the release lever.

Answer 7

Apply steady pressure without locking the brakes.  The ONLY time anybody recommends pumping the brakes was in the case of ice/snow and your tires locking up.  These days most cars have anti-lock brake systems and you dont have to pump them, they do it all smoothly and automatically for you.  If you dont have ABS and you're in snow/ice, thats the only time you should "pump" the brakes.  Or if you have a brake failure and need to build up pressure in the brake system as a last resort, but thats what the emergency brake should help with as well.

Answer 8

If you step on the brakes and the pedal goes to the floor, start to down shift the transmission.  Majority of cars are automatics.  Do not jam the transmission from Drive to Low in one fell swoop unless it is a matter of life and death.  Also the emergency brake can be used to scrub off speed.  

Here is the best advise I can give that will be the hardest to enact.  Do Not Panic!!  Keep thinking.  Keep your eyes and head moving.  Failed brakes have no effect on the steering.  Until you get the car under your control, steer the car out of danger.  Screaming and freezing up in your seat do absolutely no good.  

Sadly the vast majority of drivers have ZERO training in emergency procedures.  We are too concerned with safe driving and obeying the law.  I wish all new drivers would attend an Advanced Driving Course.  The Bob Bondurant Driving School offers courses geared toward new drivers.

Answer 9

If your car has ABS breaks then push on the brakes as hard as you can and hold it there.  If you don't have ABS, then you may need to pump the brakes if you lock the wheels up.

Should the brakes fail, then quickly hit the emergency brake and then quickly turn the engine off and put it in a lower gear, say L for an automatic and 2nd if it is a straight shift.

That's my opinion.