What to Do If Your Brakes Feel Soft or Fail

Few things behind the wheel are scarier than a brake pedal that doesn't respond the way it should. There's still a real order of operations here that gets the car stopped without full brake power.

1. Pump the pedal

   A soft pedal that sinks to the floor can sometimes rebuild pressure with a few quick pumps.

2. Downshift

   A lower gear slows the car through engine braking, which doesn't depend on the brakes at all.

3. Ease the parking brake on gradually

   Steady pressure, not a yank. Applying it too fast at speed can send the car into a skid.

4. Look for the clearest path to stop

   A runaway lane, a grassy shoulder, anywhere free of other cars and people.

5. Don't restart the engine if it stalls while you're still moving

   That can lock the steering wheel on some models. Leave the key in the "on" position instead.

6. Don't get back in it until a shop's looked at it

   Brake failure isn't something you test twice. Get it towed rather than risk driving on it again.