Auto Care News Reporter - February 2010 - In this issue: How to stop a runaway car!

How to stop a runaway car: Five steps that can save your life

How to cope with sudden unintended acceleration

What should you do if your car suffers a sudden and unintended acceleration such as the problem that has triggered Toyota's massive auto recall? Here's our advice from the Consumer Reports Auto Test Center.

1. Brake firmly. Do not pump the brakes. Do not turn off the engine yet, because doing so would disable the power assist for your steering and brakes.

2. Shift the transmission into Neutral. Don't worry if the engine revs up alarmingly - most modern cars have rev-limiters to protect it, and this move will put you back in control of your vehicle.

3. Steer to a safe location and come to a full stop.

4. Shut off the engine with the transmission still in Neutral.

5. Finally, shift the transmission into Park or, with a manual transmission, set the emergency brake. Then breathe deep and call for help. Do not attempt to drive the car.

Memorize the above steps to prepare for the rare chance that you might experience unintended acceleration. Better yet, practice them in a safe location at low speeds until you feel comfortable with them. They could save your life.

Download a PDF of our advice.

When Brakes Talk, Drivers Should Listen

When it comes to driving safely, it's easy to take your vehicle's ability to stop for granted - until you really need it.

According to brake experts, your brakes often reveal possible serious situations when they make noise, pull, judder - another term for vibrate - or feel soft. Addressing these symptoms promptly enhances your safety and may save time and money in the long run.

Brake Squealing and Groaning Squealing noises soon after a brake job may indicate there is a problem. You should return to the shop where the work was done as soon as possible, to have the brakes checked out by a technician. Installing premium brake pads, calipers and rotors may cost a bit more up front, but often provides noise- and vibration-free operation and longer pad life.

In some instances, however, brake squealing simply indicates the pads are worn down and those squeaking wear indicators are doing their job.

The abrasive nature of many traditional brake pads against the rotor may also cause squealing. Low quality rotors could be the noise culprit, as well. Neither of these situations is ideal, but the resulting noise is more annoying than anything else.

Groaning noises also can be caused by low quality or abrasive brake pads. Squealing and groaning can both be minimized by installing premium brake system components. Have your installer use the same type of pad fitted as original equipment or an upgrade pad.

Pulling and Judder When your brakes are applied and the vehicle pulls to one side, low tire pressure may be at fault. But, it can also mean a brake caliper is sticking, leaking or not sliding properly due to corrosion. This can lead to uneven brake pad and rotor wear, reducing the life of the pads and causing steering wheel judder or vibration.

A trained technician can assess the situation and fix it right the first time.

Soft-Pedal Feel When air or water gets into the brake system, you may experience a soft-pedal feel. Improper bleeding and general corrosion are typically the culprits. Air in the system forces you to push harder on the brake pedal than normal to stop. Water can adversely affect caliper performance by causing brake fluid to boil prematurely. This can result in a significant loss of stopping power. It is best to have the brake fluid changed as recommended.

Motorists can learn a lot by paying attention to what their brakes have to say. It can be a key to being both safe on the road - and with their money.

brake jpeg
Smooth, quiet braking is determined in large part by the proper fit and compatibility of the brake caliper, pad and rotor. Installing premium parts may cost a bit more up front, but they help provide noise- and vibration-free operation and longer pad life on today's cars and trucks.