If your brakes fail while driving in Chicago, stay calm and take immediate action to slow down safely. Pump the brake pedal rapidly to try building pressure. Downshift into a lower gear to let the engine help slow the car, and carefully engage your emergency brake to gradually reduce speed. Steer toward a safe area (like the shoulder or a side street) while turning on hazard lights to warn others. Once you stop, call for help and get your brakes fixed before driving again. For insurance guidance or assistance, call Insure on the Spot in Chicago at 773-202-5060.
1. Remain Calm and Test Your Brakes Again
Panicking can make a bad situation worse — you need a clear head to handle brake failure on busy Chicago roads. Stay calm and keep a firm grip on the steering wheel to maintain control. First, try pressing the brake pedal again, even if it didn’t respond initially. Often, rapidly pumping non-ABS brakes can rebuild enough hydraulic pressure to slow the car. (If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, press and hold the pedal firmly instead of pumping.)
Double-check that nothing is under the brake pedal. Sometimes a loose object or floor mat can get wedged underneath and reduce your braking ability. In Chicago’s stop-and-go traffic, debris can slide around on the car’s floor. Ensure the pedal pathway is clear. If the pedal still goes to the floor with no resistance, it means your primary brakes have failed – so you’ll need to rely on the engine and emergency brake next.
2. Downshift to Lower Gears and Slow Down
When your main brakes aren’t working, your engine can become your best tool for slowing the car. Take your foot off the accelerator and downshift to a lower gear. This allows the engine to help reduce your speed — a technique known as engine braking.
The downshifting technique depends on your transmission:
- Automatic: Shift into a lower gear range (such as “L” or “2”) one step at a time to let the engine slow the car.
- Manual: Shift down one gear at a time, releasing the clutch slowly each time to use the engine’s resistance.
Be gentle and controlled when downshifting. Dropping to a very low gear at high speed can cause skidding or engine strain, especially on slick Illinois roads. For example, if you’re driving 60 mph on the Eisenhower Expressway, shift from “Drive” to “3” or “2,” not straight into “1.” Engine braking works best when done incrementally – you might feel the engine rev higher and the car gradually decelerate. That’s normal and indicates the engine is helping you control your speed without your wheel brakes.
3. Use the Emergency Brake Gradually
Every vehicle is equipped with a secondary braking system – the parking brake (also called the emergency brake). Illinois law requires this separate brake system to be capable of stopping the car if the main brakes fail. Use the emergency brake to further slow down, but do it gradually. Most cars have either a hand lever between the seats or a foot pedal for the parking brake. If it’s a hand lever, press the release button and lift the lever slowly; if it’s a foot pedal, press it down gently. The goal is to let the parking brake engage without locking up your wheels.
Apply steady, gradual pressure to the emergency brake. If you yank it suddenly at high speed, your rear wheels could lock and send the car into a skid or spin – a dangerous scenario on busy city streets or wintry Illinois highways. Pay attention to how the car responds: if you feel a skid starting, ease off the emergency brake slightly until you regain traction. By combining engine braking from downshifting (Step 2) with controlled use of the parking brake, you maximize your chances of slowing the car safely.
4. Steer to a Safe Location and Alert Others
With your car decelerating, start looking for the safest place to pull over. In Chicago, this might be the right shoulder of an expressway, a breakdown lane, or a quiet side street away from traffic. Steer smoothly – avoid jerky swerves – and guide your vehicle toward that safe area. You should still have steering control (and power steering if your engine is running), so use it to avoid other cars and obstacles. If you’re on a highway like I-90/94, aim for an exit ramp or the outer shoulder. On city streets, try to coast into a parking lane or an empty curbside space out of the flow of traffic.
As you maneuver, let other drivers know you’re having an emergency. Flip on your hazard lights immediately so drivers behind you see that something is wrong. Honk your horn if needed to get attention – for instance, if pedestrians are ahead or you need to signal drivers to give you room. It’s important to avoid turning off your engine or shifting into neutral while moving; doing so would cut power to your steering and brakes and also end your engine braking, making it much harder to slow down or turn. Keep the engine on and focus on controlling the car’s direction. Other drivers will usually notice your hazards and horn and (hopefully) allow you room to coast to a stop.
To recap, here are some quick do’s and don’ts in a brake failure emergency:
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Stay calm and focus on steering. | Don’t panic or make sudden, jerky movements. |
| Downshift one gear at a time to slow down. | Don’t shift into neutral or turn off the engine while moving. |
| Use the emergency/parking brake gradually. | Don’t yank the emergency brake suddenly at high speed. |
| Turn on hazard lights and honk to alert others. | Don’t continue driving without signaling that something is wrong. |
5. Safely Stop and Call for Help
Eventually, between engine braking and the emergency brake, your car will slow to a crawl and stop. Once you’ve come to a complete stop in a safe spot, keep your hazard lights on. Take a moment to breathe – you’ve just handled a frightening situation on the road. Now, prioritize safety and get help. If you stop in a traffic lane and can’t move the car further off the road, or if someone is injured, call 911 to alert Chicago emergency services right away. In most cases of brake failure without a crash, you’ll need a tow and repairs rather than police assistance.
Use your cell phone or an emergency call box to seek roadside help. On Illinois tollways or expressways, you can dial *999 (STAR 999) to reach the Illinois Tollway dispatch for roadway assistance – a useful local tip if your brakes fail on a Chicago highway. Otherwise, call a tow truck or your roadside assistance service to get your car to a mechanic. Do not attempt to drive again until the brake system is fixed. If your vehicle did hit something or if anyone was hurt, also contact your insurance provider to report the incident.
Below is a quick checklist of what to do once you’re safely stopped:
- Turn on your hazard lights (if they aren’t on already) to remain visible.
- Call 911 if you’re in a dangerous location, traffic can’t see you, or if an accident occurred with injuries.
- Call a tow truck or dial *999 for roadside assistance to get your car to a repair shop.
- Get your brakes inspected and repaired before driving again – a mechanic can fix issues like worn pads or leaking brake lines that likely caused the failure.
- Inform your insurance company if there was any damage or accident, so they can guide you on filing a claim.
Following these steps can prevent a bad situation from becoming a tragedy. Brake failures are scary, but if you remain calm and use these techniques, you greatly increase the chance of avoiding a serious accident.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does insurance cover accidents caused by brake failure in Illinois?
Yes, accidents caused by brake failure are usually covered under your auto insurance if you have the proper coverage. Your liability policy pays for others’ damages, and your collision coverage (if you carry it) covers your car. However, a brake-failure crash is typically treated as an at-fault accident, so your insurance rates may increase afterward.
How often should I get my brakes checked in Chicago?
It’s recommended to have your brakes inspected at least once a year (for example, during routine oil changes) and especially before winter. Chicago’s stop-and-go traffic and harsh winter conditions mean brakes wear out faster due to heavy use and road salt. Regular brake checks and maintenance help prevent failures and ensure you can stop safely in city driving.
Is it illegal to drive with faulty brakes in Illinois?
Yes, Illinois law requires all vehicles to have two working brake systems (foot brakes and an emergency brake). Driving with bad brakes is dangerous and can lead to citations or liability if a crash happens. Always fix brake issues immediately to stay legal and keep everyone safe.
Will a brake failure accident raise my insurance rates?
Likely yes. Insurers typically consider a brake-failure crash an at-fault accident because it’s the driver’s duty to maintain the vehicle. Any at-fault accident can lead to higher premiums, so keeping your brakes in good shape (and even adding accident forgiveness coverage) helps protect your rates.
What’s the minimum auto insurance required in Illinois?
Illinois drivers must carry at least 25/50/20 in liability coverage. That means a minimum of $25,000 bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury (all persons), and $20,000 for property damage. Understanding Illinois minimum car insurance requirements keeps you compliant and protected. The state also mandates uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage at the 25/50 limits, to protect you if you’re hit by an uninsured driver.
Get a Quote Today!
Brake-related emergencies can happen anytime, but having the right insurance support makes a big difference afterward. Insure on the Spot is a Chicago-based auto insurer that understands local driving challenges – from heavy traffic to icy winter roads. We offer affordable rates and reliable coverage to keep you protected on Illinois roads. If you want peace of mind for your daily commute, give us a call at 773-202-5060 or get your free quote online today. We’re here to help Chicago drivers stay safe and save money on their car insurance.