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7 Deadly Skids And How to Deal With Them
1. All wheels locked. It is very common and it is a killer.
The came: Foot clamped on the brake pedal too hard and too abruptly. Car may start to skid in straight line, but can spin out as road crown upsets its balance or the road offers uneven friction to the tires.
What to do: Release your brakes instantly. Get your car going straight. Stab-brake in quick jabs. Never let a spin-out begin.
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Why Car Brakes Are Vital to Your Vehicle
If you’re into fast cars and racing, you’ll know that there are a lot of things you can tweak on your car to make it perform better; engine, suspension, wheel and tire modifications can all make a big difference, but one key thing that many people overlook is the brakes. I started autocrossing two years ago in my Subaru WRX. It’s a great car to learn on; the turbocharged 4-cylinder boxer engine packs enough punch to accelerate quickly and the AWD not only helps you get the car up to speed quickly, but it helps you carry the speed through the corners too. But the biggest drawback to a WRX is its brakes. It doesn’t have the same 4-piston Brembo brakes that it’s bigger brother, the STi, has. So after my first few autocrosses on my stock brakes, I realized they needed some love if they were going to stand up to the abuse I was giving them.
Since I was only racing every other weekend, I didn’t want to get anything too extreme; I needed a brake setup that was tough enough to not develop brake fade after a few hot laps, but easy enough to live with in my daily commute. So after doing some research on the internet, I found that my stock brake lines at the caliper were actually made of rubber! Rubber brake lines flex, which can add a squishy feeling to the brake pedal. So I decided to add a set of stainless steel brake lines and upgrade my brake fluid to a DOT5 racing fluid while I was at it. I also wanted the brake pads to have more initial bite after I hit the pedal, so I upgraded to a set of Hawk HP brake pads. They seemed like a good compromise to me as they are marketed as a performance street pad and I had read a lot of good reviews on them.
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Understanding Car Brakes – How to Brake Safely
Modern cars have highly effective brakes which can bring a car to a stop remarkably quickly. In everyday driving situations you should apply brakes gently at first, then progressively increase the pressure. This will allow you to bring the car to a stop smoothly and under control. If you brake too harshly then you run the risk of locking up the wheels and skidding. If this happens you will lose the ability to steer the car. Harsh or late braking also reveals poor driving ability. Good drivers can anticipate the need to reduce speed will in advance of needing to use the brakes. If on your driving test remember bad braking will not endear you to your test examiner.
In an emergency braking situation a critical factor is whether or not your car has an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) fitted. Virtual all cars produced within the last five years have ABS fitted. This system works by stopping the wheels locking up and skidding when the brakes are used in an emergency situation. It allows the driver to continue effective steering whilst braking heavily which from a safety point of view a crucial advantage. ABS works by turning the brake on and off several times a second and only kicks in under heavy braking.
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The Dangers of Wheelchairs
Many individuals rely on wheelchairs for mobility. Though a wheelchair may seem like a simple device, it is actually quite complex. As such, they require regular maintenance and service to operate safely.
Wheelchairs have several different parts, including the wheels, the axle, the seat, handrails, and brakes. Each of these parts serves an essential role in the overall safety of a wheelchair.
The wheels are the most essential part, as they are what allows the individual to be mobile. The wheels also support all of the person’s weight. Bad wheels could lead to a collapse of the wheelchair or could severely limit a person’s mobility.
