Final answer:
If your brakes are giving out and you are about to hit an object, there are several steps you can take to minimize the impact. Pump the brakes, downshift if you have a manual transmission, use the emergency brake, and steer away from the object if necessary.
Step-by-step explanation:
If your brakes are giving out and you are about to hit an object, there are a few steps you can take to minimize the impact:
- Pump the brakes: First, try to pump the brakes rapidly. This can help build up pressure in the braking system and potentially restore some braking power.
- Downshift: If you have a manual transmission, downshifting can help slow down the car using engine braking. Shift to a lower gear and let the engine slow down the car.
- Use the emergency brake: If the regular brakes are completely non-functional, use the emergency/parking brake. This is typically a hand-operated lever or a pedal, and it can help slow down the car.
- Steer away from the object: As a last resort, if you cannot stop the car in time, try to steer away from the object to minimize the impact.