Horsepower and Failing Brakes
Do you know the sound and brake pedal feel of failing brakes? Many years ago, I rode with my buddy, who purchased his first muscle car, a 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle. She was equipped with a 396 that pumped out 325 hp. Oh, how I remember that enormous engine and power bulge near the windshield. His Chevelle had a flashy chrome badge with an ‘SS’ and the number 396 underneath. She was sleek, powerful, and ready to roar. She was awesome.
He was so excited about owning a 67' Chevelle that he didn't check the vehicle carefully. He decided to let her go when we were stopped at a red light in Granada Hills, CA. Pedal to the metal was his philosophy. We quickly accelerated to 69 MPH before he needed to stop soon. Pedal to the metal turned into metal on metal. The worn-out pads created too much friction on the rotors, and they overheated. The Chevelle began to vibrate violently. A foul odor of smoke and death filled the air as the wheels pulled hard to the right. It was terrifying! Luckily, he could stop the vehicle before any further damage was done.
If your brakes fail, don't panic! If you have anti-lock brakes, press firmly on the brake pedal to decelerate. Release your foot from the accelerator, turn on your emergency flashers, and then honk your horn to alert other drivers and pedestrians. After that, if you have a manual transmission, downshift your car safely off the road.
If your car lacks anti-lock brakes, pump the brake pedal. After decelerating, slowly engage the emergency brake to help the vehicle come to a complete stop. When the emergency brake is engaged too quickly or pulled too hard, it can cause a wheel lockup and lead to additional troubles.
If you drive a newer vehicle, you may see a warning light come on with an inability to stop quickly. This braking failure can unleash the possibility of an accident or worse. Reflecting on that day, I'm quickly reminded of the 67' Chevelle experience that happened without injury. I was lucky, but some aren't as lucky.
M1 is your brake service champion. So, after your vehicle is safely off the road and has come to a complete stop, call M1 Auto Repair in West Jordan, UT. Let the experts at M1 examine your entire brake system. M1 will locate the brake issue and repair or replace components in your vehicle's brake system to keep you safe. Don't experience brake failure. Call M1 Auto Repair at 801-878-9455 or visit us at 7586 S Redwood Road West Jordan, UT 84084.