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Driving your vehicle should be safe and smooth all the way, whether you are traveling interstate or buying groceries at the supermarket.
As you drive your vehicle regularly, maintenance should be your top priority. One of the most important components you should never overlook or take any chances with is your car’s braking system.
In Short: NO! It’s never safe to ever drive with a broken brake line. It would be irresponsible for anyone to drive a car with a broken brake line as they are putting not just their lives but the lives of other people at risk.
The brake line is an integral part of a vehicle’s braking system. Brake lines should be inspected and maintained properly regularly because the vehicle’s safety operations heavily depend on them.
Signs of a Broken Brake Line
Some things can cause a broken brake line, such as moisture getting to the steel causing corrosion, road salt causing corrosion, impact from a car crash, etc.
There are signs you will notice when there’s a broken brake line and must pay attention to. Some of them include the following:
1. Reduced Brake power
Always observe how your brake pedal responds to pressure while driving your vehicle. Whenever you step on your brakes, you should feel some resistance. If you don’t feel this, there’s a problem, and you should fix it.
If you have to press the pedal to the extreme or have issues stopping your vehicle, then the brake lines are faulty. If you experience this, you should park and tow the car to the auto mechanic and have it fixed.
2. Brake Light Shows On the Dashboard
Anytime you notice your brake light is on, you should know the braking system needs urgent attention. This light comes on when the brake fluid is low in the master cylinder or if there is a hole or crack in the brake line causing the brake fluid to leak.
The low brake fluid in a vehicle mostly indicates a damaged brake line. If this shows on your dashboard, you should immediately take it to the auto shop for further inspection.
3. Brake Fluid Leaks
Brake fluid can be seen on the ground if it leaks. It is clear yellow when it is new and brown if it is old. If you see any leakages under your vehicle, you should check the brake fluid tank for likely fluid leaks, as it can cause a broken brake line.
What To Do When There’s A Broken Brake Line While Driving
If the brake line of your car breaks while your car is in motion, here are some things you should do:
1. Pump the brakes
A car’s braking system has two circuits; front/rear and diagonal (right front/left rear and left front/right rear). If a brake line blows, only one circuit will be affected while the other circuit continues to work.
You can pump the brake pedal repeatedly to build up pressure in the brake lines to give you some braking action. Though it won’t give you full braking ability, it will give you enough to control the vehicle and be able to park it in a safe spot.
However, If the two circuits blow, the result will most likely be disastrous. This is why you should take your car regularly to the mechanic to have it serviced.
2. Pull Over
If you notice a fault in your car’s braking system, this should be the next thing on your mind.
Never continue driving your vehicle, even if there is a little hole in the brake line. Make sure you park your vehicle at the first safe place you see and wait for a towing company to tow it away.
Don’t take chances and continue driving the vehicle hoping to get home or the auto mechanic shop with it, as it is extremely dangerous.
3. Never Pull The Emergency Brake
Even though brakes were designed to slow down or stop a moving vehicle, the emergency brakes in cars weren’t designed for such a purpose.
The purpose of the emergency brake is to prevent a vehicle from moving or rolling over from a fixed position. It was not created to be used for a car in motion.
An emergency brake works by locking the rear wheels, which can make the vehicle spiral if used in motion, causing extensive damage to the braking system or, worst case scenario, leading to a fatal accident.
Final Thoughts
Just like we’ve stated earlier, you should never take chances with your car’s braking system, as they are one of the most important components of your vehicle. A car’s brakes play a massive role in the safety of the driver and passengers.
Whenever you get any warning about your car brakes on the dashboard or hear any sound coming from any part of the braking system, you must visit your mechanic to diagnose and fix the issue.
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