> **Quick Answer:** Pump the brake pedal rapidly to rebuild hydraulic pressure. If that fails, downshift hard through your gears (or shift an automatic to a lower range), use the parking brake slowly and steadily, and steer toward a runoff area, guardrail, or uphill grade. Do not turn the engine off while moving. Get the car stopped, get out, and call for help.
## What Do I Do the Second I Realize My Brakes Aren't Working?
Pump the pedal hard and fast, several times in quick succession. Many brake failures are partial: a sudden loss of fluid pressure can sometimes be recovered just enough to slow the car if you pump rather than hold the pedal down. One firm press that goes straight to the floor is a sign of total hydraulic failure. Keep pumping anyway while you start your next move.
Downshift immediately. In a manual, drop two or three gears at once. In an automatic, move the selector from Drive to 3, then 2, then 1 as your speed drops. This is called engine braking, and it is real. A vehicle dropping from 70 mph to 40 mph through downshifting alone gives you far more control and options than staying at speed.
Activate your hazard lights now so traffic around you starts to react before they know why.
## How Do I Use the Parking Brake Without Spinning Out?
Apply it slowly and steadily, not in one sharp yank. The parking brake acts only on the rear wheels. Grabbing it hard at highway speed will lock those wheels and spin the car. Pull or press it gradually while steering straight. Use it as a tool to bleed speed, not to stop instantly.
If your speed is already down to 30 mph or below from engine braking, you can apply it more firmly. At that point you are not fighting physics nearly as hard.
## Where Should I Try to Steer the Car?
Aim for anything that slows you down with the least risk of flipping or striking other vehicles. In order of preference: an uphill grade, a soft shoulder, a guardrail at a shallow angle, or open grass or gravel. An uphill grade is the best option on the highway because gravity does the work for you. Many mountain highways, like stretches of I-70 in Colorado, have dedicated runaway truck ramps built exactly for this scenario. They are filled with deep gravel or sand and are designed to stop a vehicle fast without injury.
Avoid aiming for a concrete barrier head-on. A glancing blow along a barrier at 20 mph is survivable. A straight-on hit at 40 mph is a different situation.
Do not turn the ignition off. You need power steering. Shutting the engine off on most vehicles locks the steering column, which removes your ability to control direction at the worst possible moment.
## Is It Safe to Stay in the Car After I Get It Stopped?
No. Once stopped, turn on hazards if they are not already on, exit from the side away from traffic, and move well behind the guardrail or up an embankment. A stopped vehicle on a live highway lane or close to it is at serious risk of being struck from behind. This is especially true at night or in low-visibility conditions.
Call 911 immediately after you are clear of the car. They will dispatch highway patrol and can alert nearby traffic management. If you have no signal, use the techniques covered in [how to signal for help if your car breaks down and you have no
*Photo: Pexels*
phone](/how-to-signal-for-help-car-breaks-down-no-phone/) to flag down help. Once the car is safely positioned and you have made contact with emergency services, arrange a tow. A vehicle with brake failure cannot be driven to a shop.
For guidance on staying safe while waiting roadside, see [how to stay safe broken down on a highway at night](/how-to-stay-safe-broken-down-on-highway-at-night/).
## What Actually Causes Sudden Brake Failure and Will It Happen Again?
The most common cause of sudden total brake failure is a ruptured brake line or a failed master cylinder. The master cylinder sits in the engine bay near the firewall and pushes hydraulic fluid through the lines to each caliper. If a line cracks or the master cylinder seals blow, you lose pressure to one or all wheels instantly. You may have seen a low brake fluid warning light before this happened. That light is not decorative.
Brake fade, which is different, happens when brake pads and rotors overheat from sustained heavy use, such as descending a long mountain grade. The pads stop gripping effectively. This is temporary but equally dangerous in the moment. The technique is the same: engine braking first, parking brake second.
Either way, do not drive the car after getting it stopped. Have it flatbedded to a shop. If you are not sure whether you need a flatbed versus a standard tow, [here is how to tell](/how-do-i-know-if-my-car-needs-a-flatbed-tow/).
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*Photo: Pexels*
## Common Questions
**Q: Can I restart my brakes by pumping them if the pedal goes to the floor?**
A: Yes, sometimes. Pumping rapidly can rebuild enough residual pressure in a partial hydraulic failure to give you some braking. It will not restore full brakes, but it can slow you enough to use the parking brake safely.
**Q: Should I turn off the engine to stop the car?**
A: No. Turning off the ignition on most vehicles locks the steering column, and you lose power steering. Keep the engine running so you can steer. Use downshifting and the parking brake instead.
**Q: What if I'm on a flat highway with nowhere to pull over?**
A: Steer toward the right shoulder as far as possible, use engine braking and the parking brake steadily, and aim for any soft surface like grass or gravel. Even a shallow angle against a guardrail is preferable to staying in a live lane at speed.
**Q: My brake warning light came on days ago and I ignored it. Did that cause this?**
A: Likely yes. The brake warning light can indicate low fluid, which often means a slow leak in a line or caliper seal. A slow leak eventually becomes a total loss of pressure. A shop can spot this in a few minutes during any brake inspection.
**Q: What does a tow cost after a brake failure, and does insurance cover it?**
A: A local tow typically runs $75 to $150 for the first few miles, more for longer distances. Whether your policy covers it depends on whether you carry roadside assistance or comprehensive coverage. [Check what your car insurance actually covers for towing after an accident or breakdown](/does-car-insurance-cover-towing-after-accident/) before you assume you are covered.
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*Need roadside help? Visit [Tow With The Flow](https://towwiththeflow.com/brake-failure-on-highway-what-to-do-emergency/) for real answers when your car breaks down.*
Brake Failure on Highway: What to Do in an Emergency
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