The obvious first thing we learn as new drivers after pulling away for the first time is braking to a stop again. By definition, braking is pressing the brake pedal to slow down, but learning how to brake properly is not always so simple. Simply slamming on the brakes brings you to a sudden, screeching halt - which will likely cause chaos around you.
There are a few things to think about when it comes to braking correctly. For example, stopping a vehicle with good brakes is easy, but how do you have to modify your brake technique in an old car without ABS? You might have heard it said that the most effective way to utilize ABS brakes is to stomp on the pedal, but is that true? Let's explore these questions in more detail.
Your Car’s Braking System
We know that the brake pedal slows us down, but how do car brakes work? A car's braking system uses friction materials to press against the rotating disc or drum attached to a wheel. As Newton's first law states, an object's momentum is maintained unless acted upon by another force. In this case, that force is the friction of the brake pad, which slows the car down. How long it takes to stop depends on our reaction time and how hard we press the brake. The total stopping distance includes reaction time plus braking time.
An ABS, or anti-lock braking system, works on the same concept, only modified slightly. If traditional brakes are applied too hard, for too long, they may lock up. This causes a dangerous situation where the car can skid and slide uncontrollably. In order to prevent this, an ABS system monitors how fast the wheels are rotating in relation to one another and applies the brakes in pulses to slow the vehicle down more controllably. This can often be felt through the brake pedal, and actually provides much better stopping distance compared to standard brakes.
Pumping the Brakes
In modern cars with ABS, pumping the brakes to stop in time as we did on old cars is no longer necessary. That technique used to entail rapidly stepping on and lifting off the brake, and the idea was to minimize lock-up and maintain a measure of directional stability under heavy braking. The whole point of ABS systems is to do away with the need for this while preventing the uncontrollable skids of wheel lock. Read all about how ABS brakes work here.
The Right Braking Technique - How to Brake Smoothly
How to brake smoothly and efficiently for the comfort of our passengers and for the safety of other road users is important and holds the following advantages:
- Provides a smoother and more comfortable experience for your passengers
- Reduces wear and tear on your car's brakes and other parts
- Saves fuel
- Gives other drivers time to react appropriately to your actions
- Reduces the likelihood of a skid in a car without ABS
In addition to our guide to beginner's driving tips, the right braking technique encompasses these steps:
- Scan and plan: A good rule is to be aware of your surroundings so that you know when a need to stop arises. You can't brake smoothly if you notice an obstruction too late or if you rush up to a stop sign. Look ahead at traffic patterns, traffic lights, and hazards - and slow down in time. Sometimes, lifting off the gas pedal is all that's needed to adjust your speed. Keep in mind the car you're driving: weighty vehicles like station wagons and CUVs need longer stopping distances than small and light hatchbacks, for example, although you should always have sufficient space ahead of you, regardless of what you drive.
- Squeeze: The 'squeeze' part of braking is when you press the brake pedal in a fluid motion to the point at which the brakes begin to slow the vehicle down. Remember, it's not an on/off switch - this is a slow brake action, not a hurried, jerky one.
- Brake: Once you have reached that point, apply more pressure early on to slow the car. A common mistake is braking too little initially and too much at the end.
- Timing: Learn how much pressure to apply in everyday scenarios. Time traffic lights so you don't have to stop at a red light but rather arrive as it turns green, so that you can keep going. If you do need to stop, leave enough space and time to ease up on the brake just before standstill to reduce the stopping jolt.
- Correct position of feet: Step squarely on the brake and remember to press the clutch in a manual car to prevent stalling. Brace yourself by pressing your left foot against the car's bulkhead while braking. Generally speaking, braking with your left foot isn't a great idea, so try to avoid it.
- Anticipate: Drive defensively and be ready to brake in conditions that might call for braking, such as driving past animals, children, pedestrians, or passing a crossing.
In an emergency, if you have ABS on your car, the best way to use the brake system is to stomp on the pedal as hard as you can. There is no danger of the wheels locking and your stopping distance will be as short as possible. In an older car without ABS, see the FAQs for steps on controlled braking. On long downhills, downshift to one of the lower gears, so your engine can assist with braking. This helps reduce the risk of your brakes overheating.
Conclusion
With these useful hints, you can drive and brake more smoothly and give both your car and passengers an easier time. It is important to know your car and its safety systems, such as the characteristic pulsing action of ABS that you can feel through the pedal when it activates, as well as modern conveniences such as electronic park brakes - and how to activate and use them. The onus is always upon the driver to ensure that their car is secure in any type of driving or parking situation.
