Brakes / Steering
How to Handle Brake Failure
Step 1: Relax and begin warning other drivers.
If your brakes become unresponsive, do not panic. It's quite possible that an empty drinks can or some other piece of trash has become lodged behind your brake pedal. If this is the case, don't bend down to move it as this would take your eyes off the road. Use your foot to dislodge the obstruction. And then go to a petrol station and clean out your car! If this doesn't work, relax. Turn on your flashers and honk your horn. This will create some space around your car. Some other guides we've read stress taking your foot off the gas once you realize your brakes have failed. We assume that you've already done this if you're noticing brake pedal problems.
Step 2: Downshift.
Downshift your car to a lower gear. With an automatic transmission, this means moving from D to 3, 2, or 1. This will begin the process of slowing your car down. If you're traveling at high speeds, don't immediately shift from a high gear to a low one. Downshift in stages.
Step 3: Build up brake pressure.
If your car has an anti-lock braking system, or ABS, (which includes nearly all cars made within the last 15 years), simply press hard on the pedal. Do not be alarmed if it takes several seconds for your car to begin braking. Remember, ABS is an electronically-controlled system which pumps your brakes for you. So, while you would need to pump your brake pedal in a non-ABS equipped vehicle, this is not required in your ABS-equipped vehicle. Lastly, do not be alarmed if you feel a heavy pulse coming from the brake pedal. This is normal with anti-lock brakes.
Step 4: Use your parking brake.
Use your parking brake to help further slow your vehicle. Your parking brake will not slow your vehicle as quickly as your regular brakes, so be patient. Also, your parking brake can lock up your wheels if applied too quickly with too much pressure. Apply your parking brake slowly and be wary of wheel lockup.
Step 5: Use your eyes and brain.
Keep your eyes scanning the road for possible locations where you can further slow your progress.
Step 6: Seek friction!
If the previous actions don't work, you may need to start improvising ways to slow your car. Look for inclines or changes in the road terrain.
Safety tips:
How to practice brake failure in an empty car park:
Obviously, brake failure (like all catastrophic car failures) is pretty rare, so you don't need to go overboard in terms of practicing this. However, we do think it is essential to get a feel for using your parking brake to slow down a car. In an empty parking lot, accelerate to 10 or 15 mph. When you feel it's appropriate, try to bring the car to a stop using the parking brake. When using the parking brake in this manner for the first time, most people are extremely tentative and begin to think the brake isn't working. It takes some practice to get a feel for how hard to pull on the hand brake.
Steering Failure
The likelihood of experiencing power steering failure is about the same as winning the lottery. Of course, someone has to win the lottery. Likewise, someone's car will lose its power steering. And since you don't know who that someone is going to be, you should be prepared. Typically, power steering doesn't shut off instantly. When it fails, turning the wheel will simply become more and more difficult. You will need to work very hard to turn the wheel without power steering. Hopefully, your brakes are still working. But, if your engine has stalled, your hydraulic brakes will also have malfunctioned. So, you may have to employ some of the techniques used during brake failure. Try to come to a stop on the side of a road or similar safe area.
Summary
Losing one's brakes or steering is a frightening experience. Discussing these procedures and practicing use of your hand brake can help prepare you for these unlikely, but potentially tragic events.