You need to know what to do if your brake line breaks.
I bought my first car that day.I vowed to care for it diligently after I thought it was the most perfect vehicle in the world.I forgot about my promise and started tossing fast food wrappers in the back like everyone else.I decided to learn how to take better care of my vehicle after realizing that neglecting my car was turning the inside into a garbage pit.I took a class that helped me turn things around.You should read this because I want to teach you.
When you're behind the wheel, brake line failures can be very dangerous.When you hit the brakes, you create pressure that moves the brake fluid through the lines and into the calipers.When a brake line breaks, the fluid leaks out and the lack of pressure means it can't reach the calipers.You will know when the brake warning light comes on because you will lose the ability to stop or slow down.If it happens to you, here's what to do.1.Put the brakes on.If you first instinct is to brake hard and keep the pedal down, this can be detrimental.If you keep pumping the brake pedal, you'll get more braking action.There are two circuits in the brake systems: front/rear and diagonal.Only one circuit is damaged when a line blows.It is possible to build up pressure in the lines by pumping the pedal.It won't restore full braking capability, but it can give you enough response to control the car and help you stop safely.2.Pull over.Don't go to the garage or the auto parts store if you're able to stop after a small hole in the brake line.Get to the side of the road if you put your four-way flashers on.Don't rely on your residual brakes to stop the car.If you still have some braking power, you can coast to the nearest driveway or parking lot, but use extreme caution if there are pedestrians or other vehicles around.You can have the vehicle towed if you stop at the first safe place.3.Don't pull the emergency brake.The parking brake is not designed to stop a car in motion if you lose your brakes.When parked on a hill, parking brakes are used to keep stopped cars from rolling.They work by locking the rear wheels, which can cause the vehicle to spin and damage what's left of the brake system.If you are going very slowly but need to stop immediately to avoid a serious collision, such as hitting a pedestrian or slamming into a tree, you should never use the parking brake.In areas that use road salt, it's more common for a vehicle to blow a brake line.Older vehicles that have seen many winters should have their brake lines inspected regularly.If your lines show signs of problems, have your auto repair shop check them and replace them if necessary.Care Muffler & Brake Shop has more information.
When you're behind the wheel, brake line failures can be very dangerous.When you hit the brakes, you create pressure that moves the brake fluid through the lines and into the calipers.When a brake line breaks, the fluid leaks out and the lack of pressure means it can't reach the calipers.You will know when the brake warning light comes on because you will lose the ability to stop or slow down.If it happens to you, here's what to do.
If you first instinct is to brake hard and keep the pedal down, this can be detrimental.If you keep pumping the brake pedal, you'll get more braking action.There are two circuits in the brake systems: front/rear and diagonal.Only one circuit is damaged when a line blows.It is possible to build up pressure in the lines by pumping the pedal.It won't restore full braking capability, but it can give you enough response to control the car and help you stop safely.
Don't go to the garage or the auto parts store if you're able to stop after a small hole in the brake line.Get to the side of the road if you put your four-way flashers on.Don't rely on your residual brakes to stop the car.If you still have some braking power, you can coast to the nearest driveway or parking lot, but use extreme caution if there are pedestrians or other vehicles around.You can have the vehicle towed if you stop at the first safe place.