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Nothing is quite as frightening as losing your brakes, especially when you’re driving at high speeds. While certain symptoms usually let you know when your vehicle’s braking system is about to fail, there are occasions when it just stops working all of a sudden. Here, the team at Chik's Auto Air, a leading auto repair shop in Honolulu, HI, lists some tips to prepare you for that possibility.

Do:

Engage the emergency brakes carefully.

auto repair shopSome people tend to instinctively lift the handbrake the moment their regular brakes stop working. However, this will only work if you are driving at a low speed. Downshift to a lower gear first to slow down the car before you try to engage the emergency brakes. This maneuver is often referred to as engine braking.

Get off the road safely.

Once the vehicle slows down enough for you to maintain control, carefully pull over to the side of the road. Watch out for overtaking cars and use your turn signal to let other drivers know where you are trying to go. Don’t use your hazard lights because they will negate the signal light’s function.

Don’t:

Turn the engine off until you are at a complete stop.

Some drivers shut off the engine in hopes of stopping the vehicle. Doing this will only give you less control over braking, in case the loss of brakes is only temporary. Some steering wheels lock when the engine is off as well. Whatever happens, keep the engine running until you come to a full stop.

Panic.

This is the hardest tip to follow, but keeping your wits about you will help you navigate this situation. Prioritize slowing down. More often than not, other cars will be going as fast as you are, so all you need to do is release the gas pedal, pump the brakes a couple more times to see if it will work, then follow the previous tips.

If you experience a brake failure or other cause for auto repair, bring your vehicle in to Chik's Auto Air. This family-owned auto repair shop has specialized in oil change, brake service, and auto air conditioning repair and maintenance for almost 45 years. Give them a call at (808) 591-1726 to schedule an appointment, or visit their website to learn more about their services.

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