No one wants their journey to be hindered by car brakes malfunctioning. But the important thing is, will slamming on the brakes damage car and endanger the driver?
Please scroll down; our article will give you all the answers in one comprehensive insight.
Will Slamming On Brakes Damage Car?
The answer is a big “Yes”. The brake pedal hurts the operation of the ABS (anti-lock braking system).
Braking too hard at a high speed is even more harmful to your vehicle, as it causes brake system components to become hotter than normal.
Our report states that slamming on brakes at high speed can cause even more damage and potential hazards than you might expect.
If you repeat this operation too many times, the pressure on the brakes can cause dozens of system-wide problems, such as fluid leaks and the creation of tears/cracks.
According to data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administrator, about 16,000 traffic accidents yearly are caused by car brake system problems.
Therefore, never take slamming on brakes lightly because this problem will one day surely cause you unimaginable damage.
What Happens If You Slam On Your Brakes Too Hard?
We all know slamming on your brakes causes a lot of harm to the drivers as well as their vehicles. So, what happens if you brake too hard?
If you want more specific information about the negative effects of this, scroll down and explore our most specifically compiled information.
Cause Some Accidents
Applying the brakes while moving can cause you to lose control of your vehicle. The faster your speed, the higher the chance of causing an accident due to sudden braking.
Especially in extreme conditions (such as ice or puddles), you can’t seem to control the steering wheel even with experience.
Therefore, when traveling on these roads, your vehicle will more likely deviate from the road surface and crash into other vehicles.
Even if you are lucky not to have an accident, emergency braking puts the driver and passengers in the car at risk of injury.
Inertia suddenly causes passengers to slam forward, leading to collisions, scratches, or even head injuries.
Hurt Your Vehicle
If an accident involving heavy braking occurs, your vehicle will inevitably be damaged.
The damage will depend on the vehicle’s condition in traffic, the terrain, the climate, and your speed at the time of the accident.
While we can’t give an exact estimate of the damage your vehicle will incur, one thing is for sure: it will cost you a lot of money to repair your vehicle.
Besides, you also have to spend a lot of money on rescue services, components replacement, and compensation.
In some more unfortunate cases, drivers have had to permanently lose their vehicles because they cannot recover from an accident.
No one wants to lose a companion because of an unexpected accident suddenly, so always be careful and limit the abuse of slamming on the brakes when driving.
Adversely Affect Wheel Alignment And Engine Power
The drive shaft transmits torque from the engine to the wheels, maintaining the rotational speed of your wheels.
In terms of mechanics, this drive shaft has the same role as the human shoulder joint. Its varied socket and ball-bearing construction allow your wheels to move and rotate in limited directions.
Once the transmission of torque is interrupted, the wheel and the engine power will not be able to connect, creating “dislocation”.
That is also why it is difficult for you to control the vehicle’s direction after pressing the brakes.
Besides, the collision also causes the transmission shaft to be at risk of damage.
If you notice that your vehicle tends to have resistance when cornering, shaking, and strange noises when accelerating, it signals that the transmission shaft needs repair/replacement.
Damage Your Brake Hoses
Each time you step on the brake, brake fluid flows through the brake hose, which creates pressure to force your vehicle to stop moving.
However, the pressure and heat generated during this process can cause more damage to the brake system than you think, such as wear and cracking of hoses.
Damages may not cause too much damage at first. But to a certain extent, it will lead to a fluid leak that can potentially erode your brake pads.
Once this condition is not controlled in time, the brake fluid level will be markedly lower than normal, resulting in a disconnection from the brake.
You can notice this problem early on through the signal from the brake lights on the dashboard or the brake pedal being lower than normal.
If your vehicle is in this case, send it to an auto repair shop immediately.
Overheat Your Brake Pads
A sudden stop in wheel rotation to zero puts a lot of stress on your vehicle’s suspension. In this situation, the brake system will be “baked” at an extremely high temperature.
If this situation continues for a long time, the brake pads will be easily worn and deformed, causing the rotor to warp.
But don’t worry, as we’ll give you the first warning signs to spot brake pads overheat before it causes you damage.
Once you notice the brakes squeal, the brake lights come on, and the steering wheel vibrates, send your vehicle to an auto shop for a quick check immediately.
Provide A Bad Travel Experience
Braking definitely won’t make for a pleasant travel experience, as the inertia from this action will send your whole body forward.
If your vehicle does not offer ABS (the mechanism that prevents the brakes from locking up), applying the brakes hard could cause the vehicle to roll over.
Stopping movement suddenly will cause the tire to slide across the road. After experiencing high-temperature friction, tires will appear uneven wear, leading to vibrations and an extremely unpleasant smell of burning rubber.
Whether traveling on the highway or off-road, the vehicle’s speed is drastically reduced.
If you still ignore the signs above and continue driving, you may temporarily have to postpone your trip because of a blown tire.
Damage Your ABS System
The ABS (anti-lock braking system) protects the vehicle from locking and prevents wheel slip due to terrain.
However, this safety feature is at risk of being damaged by the overuse of the emergency brake.
When you step on the brake, the vehicle’s ABS is forced to operate when it’s not needed.
When this operation happens too often, the locking system will wear out, resulting in the system operating with increasingly poor performance.
Signs of a damaged ABS include an unresponsive brake pedal and a bright ABS light. Check your vehicle and take it to an auto repair shop as soon as possible if it shows these signs!
No Gas Saved
You didn’t mishear! Excessive braking will cause a significant loss of gasoline your vehicle uses.
According to a 2017 U.S. Department of Economic Affairs study, this amount of gasoline can add up to 30% more waste in highway conditions.
The main cause of this serious loss is that emergency braking takes a lot of fuel to complete.
Besides, a brake leak also causes gasoline to leak (creating black oil puddles under your car). Therefore, please never abuse, or you will pay a heavy price for safety and the economy.
What Should I Do To Avoid Slamming On Brakes?
Avoiding slamming on brakes is the key to keeping yourself and your vehicle safe. Therefore, stay alert along the way and handle the situation wisely to avoid this maneuver as much as possible.
Slowing down when cornering, changing lanes, or moving on slippery surfaces is best.
On hidden roads, do not forget to turn signals and honk your horn when necessary to notify other vehicles of your presence to avoid unfortunate incidents.
FAQS
Can Slamming On Brakes Cause Damage?
The answer is a big “Yes”!
Depressing the brakes too hard can damage your vehicle’s brakes, such as the suspension and brake rotors.
Besides, it also causes the wheels to warp, wear your tires, and damage the overall car components.
Is Braking Hard Bad For Car?
Sure! Heavy braking causes your wheels to suddenly stop, creating long slips, loss of control, and sometimes rollovers.
Brake pads that undergo friction heat up, damaging the glass brake pads or surrounding metal components.
Why Is It Important To Avoid Sudden Actions Like Braking?
By limiting braking, you can keep your brakes working properly without the appearance of wear or cracking.
Once the brakes are secured, drivers and passengers will have the safest journey without worrying about the risk of an accident.
Final Verdict
No one wants to risk their safety just because of car brake system problems. Therefore, checking this system periodically is the key to timely detecting and correcting problems, ensuring your safety and the best driving experience.
Through this article, we hope you could answer the question “Will slamming on brakes damage car” without difficulty. Wish you will have the most comfortable and safe driving experience. Good luck!