Rocky Mountain Driving Tips

If your brakes go out:

Brakes can go out. It’s just a fact of life and even if your vehicle is brand-new, there is still a possibility. Often, brake fluid is boiling, brake pads go to wrack and ruin, drums and discs overheat even brake-lines can disconnect (or be ripped out by debris).

Whatever the cause, it’s a cold, terrifying feeling when you push your brake pedal all the way to the floor and nothing happens.

Try to keep your cool. As you work your way to the right shoulder, try pumping your brakes several times to see if anything is left of your brakes. Sometimes, they fade greatly and feel like they are out when they are still somewhat useable. Make sure no one is behind you when you pump (in case they suddenly grab and you stop).

If nothing happens, you need to start dropping gears. Turn on your hazard blinkers (to let others know you’re in trouble). Take your time and let the vehicle’s gearing do the work as you make your way down to your lowest gear. If possible, pull on to the right shoulder while you gear down. Once you get down to your last gear and your vehicle is rolling as slow as you think it will go, pull (or push) you parking brake lever/pedal. Usually, the parking or “E” brake is cable operated and is separate in operation from your regular brakes. Usually, this will stop many vehicles when they are moving at their slowest in gear. Once stopped, shut off your engine immediately.

If your rear brakes are gone, the parking brake may not work. Most steep, downhill highways have emergency ramps that look like mini ski slopes. Even though they are made for trucks, they will stop just about anything. These ramps are filled with fairly deep, loose sand that sinks the tires quickly dissipating momentum. You’ll notice a call-box right by the emergency ramp.

The final option is the guiderail. Look, it’s a scary proposition, but if there is no other option and you HAVE to stop, this may be your only recourse. Get into your lowest gear and gently rub the guardrail steadily increasing your turning effort. Don’t turn against the guardrail too quickly. Once you’re at a near crawl, put your car in park. You’ll most likely hear a loud clanking noise before the transmission settles into park. 

Hollywood Style:

Here is another possibility that I don’t recommend, but I have a buddy who saw this on an old episode of CHIPS and wanted me to relay it to you.

It MIGHT be possible to contact the Highway patrol and have them “assist” you in stopping. In the television episode, the vehicle with stricken brakes waived down (pre cell-phone days) a CHP officer and motioned to them that they had no brakes. Later, a patrol car pulls in front and gently eases on the brakes as the brake-less vehicle bumps the rear and is eventually brought to a stop. 

I suppose you could have a passenger call and give your location to the Highway Patrol. In my estimation, it would take so long that you would be at the bottom of the hill or crunched by the time they caught up with you. Not to mention the carnage caused by all of the vehicles slowing to watch the spectacle.

No, this is not a very good option but you never know… it MIGHT work. I guess.   

If your tire blows:

Do NOT slam on your brakes!

If you lost a front tire, the drag from the disintegrating tire will pull your car and (possibly) make you loose control. Rear tires are not as obvious as a risk as you still have your steering tires making contact with the road. Either way, try to maintain control without slamming on your brakes. Ease your way over to the shoulder as safely as possible. If you must bleed off some speed, drop down one gear. When you do, expect the car to heave back. Stay off the brake until you are near the shoulder. In icy conditions, you will have to react with as little sudden turning and braking inputs as possible. Remember: your contact patch for each tire is only a few square inches. Loosing one tire removes much of your traction.

Do not ride the rim of your tire any further than the shoulder unless you’re in an unsafe location, (i.e., too close to moving traffic). Once you’ve stopped, open your hood as this will allow motorists at greater distances to see that your vehicle is in trouble and allow them more time to avoid you. Set out reflectors, flares, brightly colored jacket – anything at 15 foot increments behind your vehicle to warn others of your status. 

Your car is now a target. If you can get you and/or your family out of your car, away from traffic – all the better. If there is nowhere safe to move – make sure they continue to wear their seatbelts.