刹车失灵的迹象及注意事项

刹车是一个重要的安全装置, so getting acquainted with your car's brake system should be a priority. "The braking system on your 车辆 is critical in keeping you and your passengers alive and well and your 车辆 out of the body shop,詹姆斯·所罗门说。, Defensive Driving Courses program development and training director with the National 安全 Council.

刹车失灵的原因

刹车失灵或损坏的原因有很多, 包括不适当的或不经常的维护, low levels of brake fluid and worn brake pads and/or rotors, 来自未知来源的未被发现的损害, 和磨损从 极端天气，包括道路盐的腐蚀.

你的刹车也可能受损，如果你 拖着一辆重型拖车 它没有拖车刹车. This can overheat the 车辆's brakes and cause accelerated brake wear and damage.

So how do you know if your brakes are operating as they should be?

我怎么知道我的刹车坏了?

If you experience any of the following problems, it's time to take the car in:

• 奇怪的噪音. If tapping on the brakes causes a high-pitched squealing noise, 你需要尽快找个机械师. Other suspect sounds include scratching, scraping and grinding.
• 不规则的动作或感觉. If your 车辆 pulls hard to the left or right when you stop, one side of your brakes is working optimally and the other isn't, 所罗门说. Brakes that sink to the floorboard or pulsate before they function — 或者一个 steering wheel that shakes — are also red flags that need attention.
• 无法快速停止. An increased stopping distance indicates a problem with your brakes.
• 警告灯. Perhaps the most obvious red flag: the brake system warning light on your dashboard flashes when something is wrong.

如果刹车失灵怎么办

如果你开车时刹车失灵了, 保持冷静, 把注意力集中在路上, 并立即采取行动:

• 尽量不要惊慌.
• Activate your emergency flashers and honk your horn to alert other drivers.
• 把脚从油门上移开，开始减速, and carefully maneuver your 车辆 to the right lane or shoulder. 请务必发出正确的信号，并留意其他司机.
• 让你的车一直开着，直到你被停车并安全为止, because shutting off your engine will cause you to lose power steering.
• 降档，让引擎帮助车辆减速. 当你减速时，要避免以下情况:
  • Don’t shift into neutral because your engine has a braking effect that will be removed.
  • Don’t shift down too fast because it could cause you to skid.
• If your 车辆 has anti-lock brakes, press down firmly on the brake pedal. If your car isn't equipped with this safety system, pump the pedal.
• Once you've decreased speed, engage the parking brake slowly and gradually. If you do this too quickly and with too much pressure, your wheels could lock up.
• Get your car towed and brakes repaired by a professional before driving it again.

What brake questions should you ask when buying a new car

“之前 购买新车 或者一个 使用车辆，询问是什么 制动系统类型 它有故障安全系统作为备份,所罗门说。, who recommends asking the following questions while shopping:

• Are you required to listen f或者一个 noise from the rotors or drums?
• Is t在这里 a warning light system that indicates worn brakes?
• If the yellow brake light on the instrument panel comes on, how long do you have to seek assistance?
• If the red brake light on the instrument panel comes on, what do you do?
• How often (in miles and months) should you have the brakes looked at by a certified brake professional?

In addition to familiarizing yourself with your brake system, 确保你熟悉你的 车辆的其他安全功能 永远不要认为这是理所当然的. 一定要做 爱车保养 on a regular basis, to catch issues before they become a safety problem for you and your passengers.