Ray, I am afraid that I disagree with some of these tips. Some auto makers, Cadillac being one, used to advise their owners that, in case of brake failure that the system was designed for you to be able to make *one* stop. Once you start to press down on the brake pedal do *not* let up otherwise you would lose the reserve emergency brake fluid. Also, in most of the GM autos trying to put the parking brake on while the car is moving will not work. The parking brake, apparently, is some sort of a rod or finger which goes into some sort of slot and this ain't gonna happen when whatever the slot is located on is moving. It is not like the old parking brakes which grabbed the drive train and squeezed. Now, additionally, on some GM cars the blamed thing will *not* go into reverse (automatic tranny) when the car is moving more than about 2 or 3 miles per hour. Now, if the brake failure is caused because the vehicle has stalled then pumping the brakes and all that is a good idea. If the vehicle has stalled and you are going down the road then slipping the tranny into neutral and trying to start the car may well solve the problem. If your car has a manual tranny then you probably do have a much better chance of slowing down by gearing down than you will with an automatic tranny. Way back in about 1967 Ford announced a new automatic transmission. It was designed to prevent engine damage should you slam the tranny into low when you were moving right on down the road. In the words of Ford, that tranny was "fool proof, not idiot proof". In most cases a way long time ago if you downshifted the automatic tranny the thing would really do exactly what you told it to and should you be running about 70 or 80 mph and slam the tranny into low the engine would reap the benefit of turning about 8,000 rpm which would encourage lots of little parts to go where they were not designed to be. (LOL) I am fully aware of this phenomena because one of my good buddies did this while in his Father's car. Understandably dear old Dad was not at all amused! Anyway, these are just my thoughts based upon experience. Cy, the Ancient Okie...
-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ray Boyce Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2006 7:25 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [BlindHandyMan] How to Handle Brake Failure Hi Thanks to a number of mechanical checks and balances, brake failure rarely occurs. But even though most drivers will never have to experience it, it doesn't hurt to be prepared. Steps: 1. Size up the traffic situation and base your decisions on the whereabouts of other vehicles, intersections or steep hills. 2. Look for a safe place to steer your car and quickly downshift to low gear (this applies to both manual and automatic transmissions). 3. Build up your brake pressure by pumping the brake pedal fast and firmly. It should take three or four pumps to get the brakes to work. Don't pump anti-lock brakes -- press down hard on them instead and plan on taking longer to stop. It is normal to feel pulsation at the brake pedal if you have anti-lock brakes. 4. Use your parking brake if the pumping solution is ineffective or not recommended. Release it quickly if the car starts to skid. 5. Don't forget to steer. Swerve only if it's absolutely necessary -- doing so can cause you to lose control of the car. 6. Throw your car into reverse if all else fails. Note that this can cause serious damage to your transmission. Sounds to me that this was put in here by a Gearbox Repairer. For if you do this that is where you will be next. Tips: Sounding your horn and flashing your headlights will warn other motorists. Turn on your emergency flashers once you've come to a complete stop. Try to remain calm - panicking can cause you to make mistakes. Use a cell phone to call for roadside assistance if your brakes continue to fail. Wait in your car or another safe place until help arrives. Get your brakes and brake hoses checked every 6 months. A not uncommon cause of inability to brake is a soda bottle or ball rolling under the pedal: clean out under your seat! Warnings: If you have anti-lock brakes, do not pump them. Autos sold in the United States must contain fail-safe brake systems. If you have problems with your anti-lock brakes, simply press down hard and plan on waiting longer to stop. Do not drive for any long period of time with the brake light on. Add brake fluid and go see your mechanic. To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday The Pod Cast address for the Cooking In The Dark Show is. http://www.gcast.com/u/cookingindark/main.xml Visit The New Blind Handy Man Files Page To Review Contributions From Various List Members At The Following Address: http://www.jaws-users.com/handyman/ Visit the new archives page at the following address http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man list just send a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.0/439 - Release Date: 9/6/2006 ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Yahoo! Groups gets a make over. See the new email design. http://us.click.yahoo.com/WktRrD/lOaOAA/yQLSAA/86xolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday The Pod Cast address for the Cooking In The Dark Show is. http://www.gcast.com/u/cookingindark/main.xml Visit The New Blind Handy Man Files Page To Review Contributions From Various List Members At The Following Address: http://www.jaws-users.com/handyman/ Visit the new archives page at the following address http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man list just send a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/blindhandyman/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/blindhandyman/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
