CAN YOU BRAKE THE DISTANCE?

Imagine for one moment you are driving too fast in a 60km/h zone when a child unexpectedly runs onto the road in front of you. Would you be able to stop in time to avoid a tragedy?

You might be surprised at the distance you will need to bring your car to a complete stop. A car travelling at 60km/h takes approximately 38 metres to stop, and if you're travelling over the limit at 80km/h, a vehicle in good condition and with good brakes can travel up to 60m before coming to a complete stop.

These are average stopping distances that apply for an alert driver in a car in good condition on a dry, sealed road. If any of these conditions were to change, braking distances could be more than doubled.

There are a number of factors that can affect the stopping distance of a vehicle.
Travelling on a wet road is generally going to take you longer to stop than on a dry road, and if you happen to stamp hard on the brake pedal and lock up the brakes, this distance could increase again.

Anti-lock braking systems are designed to prevent the wheels from locking up and provide control in a rapid stop situation.

Other poor road conditions, including black ice and loose surfaces, can also affect stopping distances. It is important to recognise these hazards and modify your driving accordingly.
Obviously the condition of your brakes will make a difference in stopping your vehicle. Worn brake linings and pads will hinder the performance of the braking system.

Brake fluid that has been contaminated with air or water can also affect braking performance. If you're not sure about the condition of your brakes, see your nearest TACC Accredited Repairer.

Many people overlook the importance of tyres when braking. Brakes slow the rotation of the wheel, but how quickly the car stops can depend on how much grip the tyres have on the road surface.

You might have the best brakes money can buy, but if there isn't enough tread on your tyres and the road is wet, the braking distance will increase dramatically - more than likely well beyond the hazard you wished to avoid.

Shock absorbers help keep the wheels on the ground when travelling over uneven surfaces like potholes. If they are in poor condition, they may fail to prevent the wheels from bouncing limiting the contact of the tyre with the road surface. In this way, worn shock absorbers will greatly increase a car's stopping distance.

Be aware also that the more weight carried in a vehicle, the longer it will take to stop. This is not so much to do with the size of a vehicle but more to do with the number of passengers being carried and any luggage or other load on the vehicle, such as a caravan, trailer or boat.
The condition of the driver is another factor that affects braking distances. If the driver's reaction time is slow because of the effects of alcohol, drugs or fatigue, the vehicle will obviously travel much further before the driver's foot reaches the brake pedal.
A good braking technique can make the difference between impact and avoidance. The brake pedal should be squeezed rather than stamped on, otherwise the wheels can lock up and steering around an obstacle becomes impossible.

Avoid travelling too close to the car in front of you. If the front vehicle brakes suddenly and you're sitting on its bumper, good tyres, brakes, shock absorbers and skill will not help one bit.
For safe braking, the brakes, tyres and shock absorbers must be maintained in good condition at all times. See your nearest VACC Accredited Brake Specialist or TACCRepairer for safety advice or information about you vehicle's braking system.

BREAKING SIGNS

A regular inspection of your vehicle's braking system during routine servicing will ensure the brakes are effective and safe. But you should also be alert to any changes in your vehicle's handling that could be due to faulty brakes.

A change in the feel of the brake pedal is a good indication there's a brake problem. If the pedal starts to feel soft (or worse, contacts the floor) do not drive the vehicle without first having it checked carefully by a qualified brake technician. Loss of pedal 'feel' can indicate a very serious problem with your vehicle's brakes which may result in sudden and unexpected failure.

Brakes operate on very high pressures in a sealed hydraulic system. Cracks in the flexible hose, or a leaking connection, may first be detected with a loss of pedal feel, but can fail suddenly. Loss of feel may also indicate that there's air trapped in the system which can dramatically reduce the performance of the brakes when under load. Safety in a car rests on our ability to stop quickly and effectively. A car with failing brakes is a dangerous and uncontrolled hazard to all road users.

A brake pedal that requires excessive pressure can indicate a faulty brake booster. The brake booster is a large, spherical housing, usually located behind the master cylinder, which provides extra braking force by using engine vacuum pressure to boost brake fluid pressure.
Another indication of faulty brakes is when the car pulls to one side when brakes are applied. If oil, grease or brake fluid gets onto a disc or a brake lining, friction on this brake will be reduced, resulting in the vehicle being unable to pull up in a straight line. This problem can also be associated with a steering or tyre problem, so make sure you have it checked out by a TACC specialist.

Brake fade is another problem that can occur - usually after prolonged use of brakes when going down a long hill or a mountain, or when towing. In these situations, the brakes can become so hot that they become increasingly ineffective; it can also result from brake fluid boiling which is old or contaminated by moisture. If you're not sure about the condition of the brake fluid in your vehicle, see your nearest TACC Accredited Brake Specialist.

Most vehicles are fitted with a brake warning light on the dashboard. If your vehicle has a brake warning light, and it comes on, don't ignore it; it means your brakes require immediate attention.

This is especially important for vehicles with anti-lock braking systems (ABS). Pay attention to the ABS warning light, as it is possible that the anti-lock braking computer has detected a fault within the system.

After driving through water, or a car wash, you should drive slowly and check that your brakes are working; wet brake linings can reduce friction. Applying and releasing the brake pedal cautiously while driving slowly can help to dry them out.

If you are experiencing any difficulties at all with your brakes, contact your nearest VACC Accredited Brake Specialist.

FLUID - A NEGLECTED BRAKE COMPONENT

We all understand the importance of checking and replacing worn brake pads and other components, but the importance of checking and maintaining the brake fluid is often forgotten.
When you put your foot on the brake pedal, the brake fluid transmits that pressure to the brake pads which are forced against the brake discs, slowing or stopping the car.

For this hydraulic system to function properly, the brake fluid must be free of dirt, grease and other contaminants. Brake fluid easily absorbs moisture, so it must also be kept sealed against air and moisture entry. Even a small concentration of moisture has the potential to reduce braking performance.

Brake fluid is designed with both high boiling and low freezing points to reduce the effect of extreme operating conditions.

However, if moisture has contaminated the brake fluid and the brakes are subjected to a heavy load, which can happen when towing or descending a steep hill, the water in the system can boil and thus create vapour in the hydraulic system. This can cause the pedal to feel spongy, or the brakes might not work at all.

Make sure the brake fluid used in your vehicle is of the required standard and always keep it sealed against air and moisture entry. Other attributes of the fluid are good lubricating qualities and high film strength, which are important to limit wear of brake components, such as pistons, cups and cylinders.

Just like oil, brake fluid needs to be changed, and vehicle manufacturers recommend appropriate intervals for this to occur; check your vehicle handbook, and see a TACC Accredited Brake Specialist rather than trying to change it yourself. Brakes are a primary safety feature of your car, and should be serviced by an expert. Also, brake fluid can damage paintwork if spilt.

Brake fluid must be disposed of responsibly, and a TACC Brake Specialist will be able to do this properly.

Remember to keep an eye on the brake fluid level of the master cylinder, which, in most cars, can be checked easily through the clear plastic brake fluid reservoir. Check your vehicle handbook for the location of the master cylinder. Fluid levels should be kept close to the maximum level mark.

In some vehicles the master cylinder cap needs to be removed to inspect the fluid level. If this is the case, try not to remove the cap too often, because a small amount of moisture will enter the brake system each time the cap is removed.

Be aware of any leaks that can develop in the brake system. This might be indicated by brake fluid on the inside of the tyre or near the master cylinder.

A brake pedal that gradually sinks to the floor under light pressure is often an indication of an internal leak in the brake system. Don't ignore the problem, as a gradual loss of brake pedal height could lead to a complete and sudden loss of brakes.

If you suspect there is a problem with your vehicle's brakes, see your nearest TACC Accredited Brake Specialist as soon as possible.

To ensure your vehicle's brakes are in a safe condition, have the system inspected and serviced regularly.

Issued by TACC, the Tasmanian Automobile Chamber of Commerce