BRAKES - What You Don't Know Can Get You Killed

Everything you need to know about emergency brakes, fluid contamination and engine braking with an automatic transmission and the ignition turned off.
A continuation of our series dissecting things that went wrong in the AutotopiaLA Mercury Comet crash.
#brakes #wreck #autotopiaLA #classiccar
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[@georgedimakos2723]

Im 56 years old and ive been playing with cars all my life...this is the best educational video ive ever seen ! Great job uncle tony!!!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@656hookemhorns]

I had a brake failure in 1966 F100 at age 16. Down shifted got it down to 10mph and used the parking brake to complete the stop. So glad my dad taught me what to do.

[@captainjohnh9405]

One or two mph can make a huge difference especially for those of us sitting behind an non-collapsing steering column.

[@derekhobbs1102]

My old boss wouldn't allow a modified Datsun 510 out of the workshop without later model collapsible column after splitting his sternum in a crash.

[@captainjohnh9405]

@@derekhobbs1102 I'm just driving a grocery go-getter, but as an old biker I still know everybody is out to kill me.

[@crazycoffee]

@@captainjohnh9405 I feel like this when I drive my truck or Toronado. Everyone turns 10x more stupid.

[@gregriutzel7834]

I've been taught in auto school they're PARKing brakes. Great video! Change your fluid every 2-3 years, keep 'em clean.

[@todddenio3200]

Uncle Tony, all valid and valuable information and explained in terms anyone can understand. Thank you for posting this as it could save the life of one or more of your viewers or someone else who those viewers are sharing the road with if or when brake failure occurs. This is a true public service announcement if ever there was one about driving.

[@Monaco-BuilditFixitDriveitEver]

Definitely!

[@crazycoffee]

He has helped me more than I think he realizes

[@WildDisaster]

This topic shouldn't die. Tbh, there should be a safety video whether with cars or general shop and tool safety every week.

[@jamoshotrod]

Being a racer, I do suggest mock emergency moments. At the big end, when you find out there is a problem, literally no time to think. It's all reaction without thinking about it.

[@jerrywesterfield5636]

In a crisis, you will revert to the lowest level of training. Make sure that your training is adequate

[@Monaco-BuilditFixitDriveitEver]

Really like your content! I had an old 70 Roadrunner with a 440 six barrel (not original). In the middle of a long high speed drive the throttle would not shut down. The out boards were still dumping fuel! Fast became faster! I thought quick. Brakes? Neutral? Just turn the key off? And I did. The big, fast, automatic B-body slowed down. 90,80,70…….apply the brakes, which were fine, and pull over ,( outside Santa Maria on the 166 ) It all worked out. Inspection found one of the air cleaner bolts sheared off, fell into and wedged the rear outboard carb (and thus all three) about a quarter open! For some reason it didn’t fall all the way into the intake. Lucky! Thanks Uncle Tony! Know your car- practice things!

[@pentestarcar]

This is my absolute favorite video of yours. I have successfully landed many runaway cars by doing some of the very things you’ve covered. This is something every single one should know, from hot rod to soccer van.

[@georgecurtis6463]

The thing that makes me bang my head on the wall is when folks call that lever an emergency brake. Spent my career telling folks it's a parking brake . And how to use it. It also applies to automatic transmissions. You dont want the parking pawl to get jammed. It will cause damage to the internals or the shift linkage if used first. Drive in, apply parking brake while holding the brake pedal down. Once parking brake is applied, then shift into park and then release the foot brake. Same basically applies to stick shift except you will shift into 1st or reverse depending on how the angle of the car is. Great lesson !

[@pauliusgruodis137]

same people who write brakes as breaks

[@theendarkenment]

I think it’s just one of those things where you heard one thing or another growing up. Like Soda vs pop. Everyone around me called it a parking brake so I never called it an emergency brake but a lot of people still say emergency even though most manuals I’ve ever seen say parking.

[@georgecurtis6463]

@@Crazy8ts yup, and that's the problem. I have found that a vast majority of folks dont use it. And this causes problems as I stated. I had to educate almost all my customers through 35 years of being in the business. Parking brakes are critical, more so than they are given.

[@davidedgar2818]

My boss was so careful about checking every brake job in our shop. He looked over the work, ran the brake lathe, and test drove every one. The E brake was always included. I've had to rely on the E brake twice myself to avoid a catastrophe. My boss always said that" if you go, then you're going to have to stop better to have working brakes than a fast car"

[@et76039]

Your boss was a wise man.

[@stevemurray710]

20 years ago I pulled up on the brake of my clean 83 Audi coupe to park. Cable snapped. Another thing to inspect.

[@edbeck8925]

Both of those guys didn't know when to realize there was a problem, actually several problems. Sticking throttle, stop the car. Smelling breaks burning, stop the car. Then when it all came to a point they both just panicked and did almost nothing. The driver tried to swerve left and shift to park, both were meaningless. And all the brakes in the world won't save you, if you ignore or don't understand the warning signs. And on top of that drive beyond your ability in skill , experience and knowledge.

[@TheBeingReal]

That guy said he was $200k and two wives into it. Wonder if he is on wife 3 yet. Lucky they were not both killed with just a lap belt too.

[@FreakOlds]

“Don’t just be a passive piece of meat sitting in the seat” Words of wisdom especially now where 90% of the population is meat in the seat. People getting into the hobby nowadays gotta do their homework and educate themselves at “being one” with their vehicles. There’s a big difference between driving a vehicle or piece of equipment and operating said vehicle or machine.

[@allanmcelroy9840]

Absolutely! One of the reasons I try and avoid bigger cities vs living in the country

[@piedpiper1172]

Problem is it’s so hard to buy a car that doesn’t actively attempt to make you into meat in the seat. - Lane keeping so aggressive the wheel fights you on signaled lane changes - So reliant on the back up camera that rear view mirrors routinely have extremely poor visibility and adjustability. My partner (5’1’’) recently helped a friend move a new crossover and said she literally couldn’t adjust the rear view far enough to use it, it was just pointed practically into the sky for her. - Auto brake and auto stop functions so aggressive they’re prone to over reacting if you use an actually safe follow distance instead of tailgating - “autonomous” driving systems that themselves routinely cut cars off and make all sorts of “normal” unsafe moves - Manual transmissions are increasingly a “feature” that actually costs *more* than the auto, if even offered. - Don’t even get me started on the one pedal systems some EVs use that are just, insanely badly designed such that they can be using considerable percentages of their brake force and never light up the rear brake lights… Like, I get it. There are a subset of drivers these things make safer. But in aggregate, they make a lot people into passive and disengaged drivers. There is a pretty narrow range of years (~2008 - 2016, plus or minus 2-4 years by make and model) where you can buy a car with modern safety but without all the intrusive “drivers aid” stuff that’s just one worn spec of silicone away from mechanically totaling the car.

[@stevenbernier4206]

A light application of the E brake while holding the release makes a great limited slip diff for getting unstuck in the mud or snow. My neighbor thought I was a genius when I got his newer 4X4 truck unstuck in the snow by doing that.

[@mattdavis822]

I tried this last winter with my 94 silverado but couldn't get it to work not sure what I did wrong

[@missingremote4388]

@@mattdavis822 Silverado have the foot pedal parking brake My 95 suburban has it too It would be difficult to control the brake pressure just right. And if you're driving on a frozen sheet of ice, no traction aids will work. Except chains or studded tires. Or rock salt / kitty litter

[@blackcoffeegarage]

I've owned a few dozen classics. Brakes are the MOST important thing on a running, driving car. Period. Always put the 'WHOA" before the "GO".

[@Carstuff111]

THANK YOU!! I get weird looks from people because I will sit in my car with my eyes closed and work the controls. I treat my car more like a plane than a car. I check the fluids before every trip, check the tires, clean the windows if need be and let the car run for at least long enough to get good oil flow through the engine and let it idle down a bit on its own. I jack the car up about once a month to check suspension and steering components, grease the parts I can. I am responsible for the safety of myself and others. I replaced my brake lines before they could fail, keep the fluid changed out in the brakes and the clutch. I even keep an eye on the level of gear oil in the trans-axle and change it every couple years. I find it, therapeutic... but I am weird and refuse to deny that now.

[@jangell1320]

Eleven months later, this video pops up in my feed. No idea how I missed it originally, but this is absolutely one of the best videos ever. Excellent information and excellent delivery. Everybody, new drivers AND those of us with some miles behind us, need to watch and pay attention. Another great job Uncle Tony. Thank You!

[@markshattuck9078]

In the airplane world - the lesson is 1st- Aviate (focus on flying the plane) 2nd- Navigate (determining where to go) 3rd - communicate (with Air Traffic control & passengers). Learned this from a KZbin Video about the Denver take-off where the engine Nacelle blew off 1 or so minutes in to the flight. You said similar things.

[@edwardsmith6609]

Love the part about single and double reservoirs. It reminded me of old WW2 aircraft with 2 engines (for some odd reason) where the thought was in event of an engine failure, feather the prop and ride the good engine home. However, in a lot of practical applications... the second (still running) engines primary purpose was to accompany the aircraft to the crash site. Great vid Tony ! Thank you.

[@Jonhobbs64]

I saw the rod that goes into the master cylinder fall out into the floorboard one time! That was a wake up call!

[@terryschnereger8531]

Uncle Tony I like your tenacity and detail towards the end, you cant stress enough about it. You hit the mark just right. Know your car, know yourself!

[@dinomilo2801]

Great video Tony...understanding how the function of a brake system works is crucial and practicing these techniques will save a life. I've experienced most brake failures mentioned in this video being a mechanic for over 32 years now...tony is spot on with everything in this video...hope it will save lives...never give up go till the last second.👍

[@crazycoffee]

I'm 21. I got my 68 Toronado when I was 18. UTG has helped me so much its amazing. Besides convertering from all around drums to discs. What would you recommend to improve braking. I'm not the best at bleeding or brakes in general. I rebuilt them with my father's help in 2019. Drums all the way around. The pedal goes flat about 1/4 of the way in. New parts besides the drums all the way around. Should I rebleed?

[@dinomilo2801]

@@crazycoffee you can rebleed by gravity or have someone help you. if that doesn't work readjust the brake linings.last thing would be to measure the rod between the brake pedal and master cyl. There is also an adjustment on this rod. It's funny I own a 68 cutlass s ...you have a sweet ride my brother....hope this helps

[@dinomilo2801]

Have you blead the master cyl?

[@clembob8004]

Great video! When I was a teenager on the farm, my father had a 50 Ford pickup with NO brakes and it was just a field truck so he never fixed them. But I learned all the ins and outs about stopping or slowing down with NO brakes. Of course it had a manual trans so it was fairly easy to downshift and sometimes kill the engine, but at times it was really tricky. Of course the other thing is that it was always a good idea to keep it under 25 mph and don't drive on a public road unless necessary.

[@dongeorge4037]

The "parking brake" on my '57 TR-3 required that the "button" be pushed to lock it -- ie, it was designed for road racing with the ability to use the "parking brake" to assist the driver.

[@jimifed2798]

Good looking little robust car. Wouldn't mind having one even if it wasn't perfect condition.

[@stevemurray710]

MGA too.

[@keithroute8906]

Great job explaining emergency brake operation, I thought everyone knew how to use them but if not, you could have saved someone’s life down the road if they didn’t know. Never give up on pumping the brakes, more great advice, rather die trying then just bracing for a death hit. Many times they will come back enough to slow down in the nick of time. Another potential life saving piece of advice.

[@gregdelagrange8573]

Excellent video Tony! I have a 51 Hudson with single circuit drum brakes. Hudson actually had the safest truly dual redundant brakes system on their hydraulic brake equipped cars 1935 or so up. The parking brake is connected to the service brake pedal. If you loose all hydraulic pressure it will still stop with the pedal starting at about 3/4 to the floor. It's definitely not as good as the hydraulic system but you don't have to mess with the parking brake handle.

[@Hydrogenblonde]

This is some of the best driving advice I've ever heard.

[@MrJeffcoley1]

I’ve experienced two brake failures, one as a passenger and one as a driver. In 1985 I was 15, riding with a 16 year old friend in his POS 1970 Toyota Corolla. He applied the brakes and nothing happened, so he pumped them which caused them to lock up. He skidded out of control and sideswiped the guard rail. The blue paint was still visible 30 years later! The other time I was driving my 2007 F150 in ice and snow when the tire chain came loose and wrapped around the axle, severing the brake line. The pedal went all the way to the floor, I started rolling backwards down the icy hill. I immediately applied the parking brake which fortunately stopped me very quickly before I rolled off the road into a ravine. Good times

[@ramoncasillas4490]

Wow. I personally think your the most knowledgeable person i know when it comes to automobiles........along with my great late friend Tom haas. RIP. I MISS YOU DEARLY. I truly love you and your show. Thank you Tony 🙏🏻💯

[@crazycoffee]

My dad taught me to do it the old way. I still don't know a lot about brakes. That's why I still ask for his help. I'm loving these brake videos UTG. I have a week off of my graveyard warehouse job. I have a starter for my 68 Toronado on the way now. Since I haven't drove it on the road with the tunnel ram, new distributor, headers, and porting the heads. I'm going to go over the brakes and make sure everything is right. Please UTG all the "wiring cars" and brake system stuff you can. Almost every single video you guys have made has helped me. I can't explain how much I'm thankful for you guys. You've helped me along my life and going down the path i want more than anyone. Keep up the work. Every video has so much info I rewatch them regularly and still learn more. Every video you guys upload an increase in quality is there. I'm sorry for the long wall of text. I'm just so thankful for you guys and the other knowledgable individuals you shout out. I will watch you until you're watching me from the sky UTG love you guys.

[@cfmechanic]

Since I first started driving I have always practiced driving the cars to their limit, this way I know how to recover when and if a situation should arise. This includes j turns drifting as well as recovery and panic stops knowing how hard to push without locking the wheels up.

[@nickbonvino]

Recently took my 1970 Mustang to a shop for leaky wheel cylinders, turned out it needed rear drums, pads, hoses, lines, rotors resurfaced, etc. there was many years of neglect on my part so it was expected.. but after seeing what could go wrong, we’ll worth the money! Great video!

[@naethancastro2393]

I am so glad i found your page literally after buying my first classis mopar and i gotta give you a huge thanks man! This is one of the most knowledgeable channels I've ever come across and has helped me diagnose and fix so many problems I've already had.

[@67L-88]

Another point to bring up is brake fade. You cant drive around with your foot on the brake without overheating the brakes. Once the brakes are overheated they no longer do anything. This applies to all friction-type brakes. Ask a truck driver and they will tell you tales...

[@hydro2wheel]

My wife uses the clutch pedal as a foot rest. She no longer is allowed to drive my truck and it is a thorn in our relationship to this day. I gave her the chances, the benefit of a doubt a few times, and she still did it over and over. She is completely unaware that she is doing it when she does it. Not brake fade but a similar result on the surfaces involved which still smells the same at the end of the drive.

[@apethings7671]

First u give fuel filter w bypass, single air shock, idle passage brush pick, edelbrock carb overflow stall, piston swap. Now u save our lives. Speechless

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

Anyone who drives a car where they salt the roads in the winter. Inspect, or have someone you trust Inspect your brake lines at least once every year or two. I live in Southern Ohio and almost every car I've owned has had a brake line fail due to rust. Luckily the worst one wasn't that bad. Those dual pot master cylinders definitely do their jobs

[@nhra7110]

This may be the best video UTG has ever put out, in the name of safety and understanding of brake malfunction. Great job UT!

[@joeteejoetee]

I think that you saved dozens of lives in the future with this video today. Thank you all!

[@Jonhobbs64]

As always, great info Uncle Tony! I still can't believe that guy tried to slam it into park and stop the vehicle 😮

[@mromatic17]

lol i used to work at a rental car place and i would slam the cars in park going 40mph and just hear them go bbbbbzzzzzzzzz till they eventually ran out of momentum!

[@bobbyboucher5309]

I like how you teach man. Zero ego, all about moving forward without knocking down anyone else. Imagine if this was normal behavior amongst most adults but sadly it isn't. People actually get hurt or even die because some asshole convinced them they are incapable of problem solving. You deserve way more views for being the opposite.

[@cliffcorbitt9494]

10:30 I love listening to your analogy because I am a steam boiler mechanic and have been for Memphis Tennessee plants for years and I know exactly what you're talking about with steam being created inside that line. Catastrophe waiting to happen buddy

[@MrTheHillfolk]

Sorta like steam but different. Pops used to work at an IBM plant and they had pipes filled with 400 degree water. Yes, water. That hadda be some sick pressure in those pipes.

[@famousutopias]

Yup! Steam’s a compressible vapor like air. Only it’s condensible so things can get interesting as you well know. I’m a low pressure steam heating system problem solver myself

[@todddenio3200]

@@famousutopias steam is one of the very few things that is capable of performing both very extreme compression and very extreme expansion. But the very extreme expansion of it is allowed to get started rapidly will result in an almost unstoppable nearly explosive action which once started creates a very explosive reaction that IS unstoppable. Just look at when a steam plant or water heating system for buildings develops a leak and the system isn’t replacing the lost water so an air pocket is created that is allowed to turn into steam which expands so fast and hard that it enlarged the original leak which allows more steam to be created to fill the additional space the bigger leak created which in turn lets it expand more and so on until the system explodes with the power of a whole lot of dynamite. And this can all happen in a matter of a few minutes or a matter of just seconds or even a fraction of a second. And when it does it’s final expansion of the remaining water all at once the pulse wave of that expansion has a growth rate equal to or even greater than the expansion of the water itself which is an astounding 1628 times it’s liquid mass to become steam in an instant and that pulse wave can reach out much farther than the original 1628 times the steam occupies which is why when a boiler blows up it can send debris such as the bricks a building was constructed of flying hundreds of feet away from its original location. I was a boiler and steam plant engineer licensed to be second in charge of boiler systems up to 10,000 HP so I am very familiar with the actions and power of steam

[@ROYALPRIX]

Invaluable content. Just bought a 72 Maverick that's been sitting for 18 years and going over the brakes. Good stuff.

[@steveraus3495]

I'm a professional driver (long-haul trucker) who has to share the road with the ignorant and stupid an average of 550 miles a day. I REALLY APPRECIATE what you're doing to educate the masses. Bravo, Tony, BRAVO!

[@raiderjohnthemadbomber8666]

SUPER great class Uncle Tony. One of your best by far. I'd like to add one thing, in a panic stop you should always pump the brakes. It will do as you said and it will also rock the car thereby putting more pressure on the front end and help slow the car. Also if you just hold the pedal down you'll probably lock the brakes which will cause a skid which is not helpful when trying to stop a car quickly. Keep doing what you do, UT and I'll see you tomorrow.

[@tommyhawks856]

This is one of your best videos, Tony. This video has potentially saved many lives.

[@joshgreen2164]

This is why i love Tony. One addition if its trying to idle at highway speeds riding the brakes isn't an acceptable option. Overheated they don't do much.

[@jayarnold8883]

You nailed the cause of the brake failure in my opinion. I've also noticed that all those high dollar aftermarket brakes have a real . problem with seizing up and i suspect tight manufacturing tolerances. I've dealt with performance calipers seized up brand new in the box

[@ChrisTheBmxGuy]

@@jamesplotkin4674 I view it either way it was caused by riding the brakes. If it had some water in it or not who knows but riding the brakes will boil whatever is in those calipers.

[@jayarnold8883]

@@jamesplotkin4674 The fluid boiled because the caliper is jammed solid against the rotor.

[@Born_Stellar]

@@jayarnold8883 if that was the case the car would have stopped. think about what you said.

[@theshed8802]

The only observations that I would make Tony is that you need to mention that when you kill the ignition you need to make sure that you don't engage the steering lock. It's easily done in some vehicles. Additionally, it doesn't matter how old or new your brake fluid, once you get it hot enough, it boils, and you loose brake. I've had 2 day old brake fluid boil in hard driving situations, everything has a limit. Good video Tony. Regards Greg

[@randallmason9687]

Excellent video! I learned this the hard way racing vintage motorcycles! I had ran a few races, and track days without reflushing the brake fluid. After a few hard laps, no warning or brake fade, the lever went to the grip! Thank the Lord that I had plenty of run off room! Upgrade to DOT 4 fluid, and flush the system. Brake fluid is way cheaper than crashing!!

[@mromatic17]

You brought up a good point Tony. I was broke and stranded once cuz of a wheel cylinder but i usually have 1 laying around in my tool box just like a fan belt and misc parts. I was about 300 miles away and I had dish soap and water. I drained out all the brake fluid that was left and mixed up 60% water and 40% dish soap and blead the brakes. I made it home thankfully and I stayed on the freeway at a long distance to avoid using the brakes as much as possible.

[@timezone4907]

Awesome explanation of how a brake system works and the emergency brake aka parking brake works. The brake fluid explanation with the problem of water absorption is spot on This is another great video UTG thanks.

[@sultankuto8724]

I am an experience driver with 100s of thousands of miles on stick shift but the knowledge I have gained from this channel is indescribable,always great to add on to your knowledge......been tinkering with my caburated classic for three weeks,been sitting for 6 year but indoors,even revived my battery with a stick welder my joy is indescribable almost palpable.....thank God and thank you uncle tony goodwill to you and all your endeavours.😎😎😎

[@sirkdopsah1081]

These videos is what sets your channel apart. There is a million videos on look at my cool car. Very few on the absolute essential how to and what to do if....Common sense? Lol. We all know the zombies we encounter every day. Much appreciated Tony❤

[@jgmopar]

My 71 Charger had sat for 10 years before i got to start working on it again. Passenger side Caliper was locked frozen from the reason you state in the video. I had to go through the whole brake system and replace wheels cylinders and calipers as well as all the hoses. My 1965 Valiant has single reservoir. Popped a wheel cylinder and lost all brakes while driving Parking brake saved me. Excellent Video here. Great advice. loosing the Transmission much better than slamming into a car a 50mph

[@johneverett3947]

Another great video. Having owned a shop for 32 years it always amazed me the number of people that don’t know that brake fluid has a limited life span. That can of your dads brake fluid in the garage, dispose of it. During a normal service as a matter of course my technicians were required to measure the moisture content in the brake fluid and list it on the work order. Most manufacturers have suggested times values for flushing it. 😊😊

[@eddiehuff7366]

Good info Tony. Also, fwiw I'm sold on 2 stage master cylinders. On my F150 in busy traffic the primary part of the master cylinder failed on me but the secondary saved me from a crash.

[@deliveryguyrx]

The same thing happened to me in my GMC Sarari minivan.

[@allanmcelroy9840]

Personally I've always preferred dual line master cyl myself-if one line fails the other can still offer slowing power while with the older version u fuuuked.

[@Monaco-BuilditFixitDriveitEver]

Yup! I have no phobia about my single master! But I know, and have respect for it. Love it Uncle Tony! Keep it up! You build them! I’ll drive them everywhere!

[@markszczepaniak5888]

Good video Uncle Tony, spot on. I had a stuck throttle on my 1973 roadrunner, first think I did was kill ignition and down shifted and stopped the car with no damage to my car and anybody else. No body was hurt, but that comes from knowing your car. Thankyou for that video.

[@rporestorations]

Uncle Tony hit the nail on the head. Especially in that last section. If you wanna be a real "car guy", learn as much as you can about every component of the car. Know how everything works and what to do when things don't. That's the diffrence between looking the part and being the part.

[@battlestar7779]

You definitely added so much value to that potentially horrific crash UT. Those guys involved probably don’t realize how important their accident was, to get caught on camera. Most of us would never reveal such an accident to such a big audience, due to our pride. We all owe those two a big “thank you” for sharing that. And, of course, THANK YOU 🙏, for the great follow-up and your advice, on a topic rarely addressed anywhere. Yes, I learned a few things watching this one too. To cool 🏁

[@markanderson2145]

" Don't be a pice of meat, sitting in the seat!" Classic. Uncle T, you should be a Professor at Auto Common Sense University. In fact you already are. I have learned more about Braking in your last 2 videos than all the theory and book learning than I have Ever been exposed to. Brilliant, Important, Life Saving information. Tony, you are the Man the Myth and the Legend. THANK YOU / mad respect 🙏.

[@jreeder6168]

As a teen a brake line failed in my 64 Ford coming up to a stop sign. You are absolutely right about "keep driving." Managed to stop before running out into the busy intersection. Down shifted to 1st and killed engine. Thankfully it was not power steering or steering wheel lock.

[@theendarkenment]

One of my favorite features on my Panther cars is the parking brake automatically releases when the vehicle is put in drive. So you can actually operate it much like a regular brake in an emergency situation. Always hated the ones that you have to stomp again to release.

[@KC9UDX]

I had a Cadillac like that. In the DooM era, we yoosta call it the Strafe Pedal.

[@BlutoBlutarsky]

Agreed. That feature goes back to 1965 I believe on Ford full sizers. On the older ones the brake auto releases in reverse also.

[@ronmusco8757]

Thank you for this video. Well done. I've been in this hobby 35 years and it was a great refresher and I learned something.

[@zappa3543]

You're absolutely right Tony I worked at a used car lot for 38 years we learned to drive cars with no brakes get them back to the shop ,

[@YTjndallas]

Thank you so much. For myself and for everyone else you informed!

[@gorflunk]

100% agree with 100% of everything you said. I have had my share of brake failures in manual trans and automatics. Glad you said to modulate (pulse) the e-brake while keeping the lock mechanism disengaged, that has saved my bacon more than once. Always, always, always test out your e-brake, make sure it's in good working order, practice stopping with it so you know the sweet spot that will give you max control and stopping power without locking. Don't just settle with a sub-optimal braking system, get that thing fixed now or don't drive it. "If you can't stop, don't start." Learn it, live it.

[@cameronbrown7925]

Really awesome advice! Thank you! I discovered in the owners manual of my parents automatic car that the transmission could only shift into a lower gear once the car had slowed down to the maximum speed for that gear. I tested it by selecting 1st at 100km/h, and sure enough, the transmission shifted to second straightaway and when we were down to 60km/h, it went into first. Deceleration was quite rapid I can tell you. 60km/h in first in that car was engine leaping up through the bonnet revs!! So I agree 100%. Learn what you can do and do it for as long as you can. Excellent video!

[@pauljones2031]

Pretty important message regarding life in general. Never give up.

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

Emergency brakes ARE intended to be used in the event of hydraulic failure, regardless that they ratchet for use as ALSO a parking brake. The colonial state I live in; Maine, enforces yearly saftey inspections, and emergency brakes are required to work or your car will fail. Not because the state cares if you have a parking brake or not, but because you NEED by law, a method of stopping your car in the event of hydraulic failure. We were taught in drivers ed here, to release the brake handle and step on the e-brake as required and or hold the button as you instructed. We had to know this in order to pass drivers ed. This is VERY easy to do. No need to panic. The rear brakes using an e-brake will slow you right down very nicely. I agree, this should be practiced. The biggest issue you didn't mention about old cars is, the brake lines will rust out. This is by far the most common failure, especially in the northern states where they salt the roads. All other things are helpful for stopping a car, like killing the engine and or downshifting, however NOTHING will help you slow down and stop as well as using the emergency brake properly. edit; Also, I did practice another method you mentioned in the past video; was the kill the engine and downshift the trans. I had already known you were mistaken about that, however just to confirm, I tried it anyway as you suggested and it does in fact, NOT work. I hit the key, downshifted the auto trans and nothing happened at all. I then re-started the car while in N and lightly applied the e-brake while running and came to a nice, controlled stop as I knew I would and as I was taught back in school so many years ago. From time to time, when I'm way out in the middle of nowhere, or no cars around, I often practice with the e-brake. It's SUPER easy, no- panic stopping. We should all know this emergency stopping method like the back of our hands and practice with our cars. Killing the engine and or downshifting, will likely just still result in crashing. An e-brake properly applied in non panic mode, can easily just stop the car.

[@ch0wned]

Not at the torque levels we’re talking about here.

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

@@ch0wned Yes. Even with monster diesel engines. You simply remove that drive force FIRST. Shift in N, hit the kill switch and or key off to remove the force, then just apply the e-brake as required to stop. No need to panic. Just practice this on back roads so you don't ever freak out when your main brake pedal fails. No engine can stop you from braking once you kill it's power. This fool didn't even shut her down.

[@HomeTipsAndTricks]

Drive it home, fella. You've done a wonderful job covering the 'what went wrong' with the Comet deal. Thanks for what you did with this one. --Fink

[@anthropicandroid4494]

I've been driving for years and this guy has meaningfully educated me

[@williamstamper442]

Only time I use a parking brake with an automatic is on the boat ramp with my duramax. Manual trans is a different story, use it all the time on my Jeep and 1950 Ford Seems as if a certain generation got this topic confused for many years. I'm talking people close to my age now, the gen x people. Tony this is good info for many people out there who are not mechanics and not familiar with braking systems. Forklifts are a great example of when parking brakes should be used every time the vehicle is not moving.

[@OllamhDrab]

It's also a good idea to use the ebrake once in a while even with automatics, sometimes people never touch em for the life of the car, then, that's when a cable or something seizes.

[@TheGhjgjgjgjgjg]

TRUCKYEAH DURAMAX WOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

[@williamstamper442]

@@TheGhjgjgjgjgjg giggity

[@Aloa2011]

I have a hand brake in the center and i have practiced using it to stop the car a few times ,the car is a 54 chevy hot rod,with factory drums, i change the brake fluid about once a year.TY for the Talk Tony!

[@zappa3543]

Build many cars through the years 38 years at a used car lot I own many cars and exactly what you're talking about and it's a privilege to know how to do this stuff we were taught it when we were young it's hard to explain it Tony you got to know what you're doing before you get into something that will mess with you anyways take it easy Tony good job

[@corvettefever360]

Wow! I literally just explained this same thing to somebody the other day. The misconception & difference between emergency brake & parking brake. This video is spot on, & very important information for so many who truly don't understand this. This is a very good video!

[@bentboybbz]

I'm so glad you are talking about the locking brake. I've seen people stab that brake and panic when it loses traction and it's locked. Similar to turning the key off and realizing the steering wheel has locked. There is no time to play with the ratchet or fumble with the key.

[@craignehring]

One of the BEST brake systems were Volvo's front quad piston crossed front and rear. if one system fails you still had 75% of your braking power. Saab comes in second Both very special

[@hughbarton5743]

I worked with both brands way back when, and I generally agree( I think Saabs were SLIGHTLY better, but this is why ice cream comes in so many flavors...) But there was an odd thing about the Saabs,which if you owned one and actually read the owners manual, was made abundantly clear: that lever on the floor was NOT an emergency brake...it was a mechanical parking brake, which worked on the FRONT calipers...don't try a Jr turn in one of those cars.....you will just continue at a somewhat reduced speed into whatever was directly in front of you..... Great comment!

[@gulfy09]

Volkswagen to

[@ryan1turbo899]

My first car was old enough for a single piston master, blew a line, and commenced to continue driving not knowing I would eventually lose all brakes with a car full of friends while approaching a red light. At that moment I yanked hard on the 35 year old parking brake, to my amazement it actually still worked… and being a teenager I drove it another 2 weeks like that

[@willshen6597]

Incredible advice for all drivers, not just hot rodders. Anyone can have a brake failure.

[@seandoole6504]

UTG is spot on about the brakes. There's one further point, specifically with drum brakes. If overheated, the drums will expand in diameter, effectively taking the braking surface further from the shoes and reducing braking power. Bad adjustment and improper maintenance serve to make this happen faster, as the shoes cannot move out far enough and will merely cause heat-generating drag that only burns the brakes out faster. Cooking your brakes will also cause the grease in the bearings to break down and could lead to catastrophic bearing failure.

[@brucewestoby]

Having worked in a car museum ... surprised how many " restored " car emergency brakes were frozen. . stuck rachet mechanism, cable , out of adjustment, or worn shoes. Have seen rock hard brake pedal too. Have seen the valve in the master cylinder not return the fluid, so the brakes can pump up and want to lock the wheels. Having the front wheels pull to side ( right or left) ins the sign of a leaking wheel cylinder, on the shoe ..so it wants to stick ... Any car with a brake problem received : new shoes, shaved drums, new wheel cylinders ( no kits) hoses, cleaned lines, new master cylinder. Maybe new wheel bearings . Great video. ! Brakes seem to be a neglected item. The rubber in the wheel cylinders may last 10-15 years max. Some of the cars had "silicone" brake fluid. . but a softer pedal.

[@theveeman]

Someone actually speaking my language. Well explained. Happy stopping everyone.

[@Manofconstantsorrowsu]

FIRST thing I ever thought my kids doing anything in life how to STOP!!AND if you're rear slips on the seat you no longer have control!! awesome teacher uncle Tony's Best 👍

[@donreinholz8121]

I think a lot of younger people don't understand that a never used parking brake will rust and may not be free enough to be used in an emergency. Also the PB prevents damage to your transmission on a slight grade. We used to hone the wheel cylinders and replace the seals in them but it isn't much cheaper than replacing them. Bleed some of the old brake fluid when replacing brake pads. The newer brake fluid might last a little longer. Thanks Tony. Master cylinders go bad all the time and have internal leakage. Good info on the manual shifters.

[@whiskeycreekcustoms6296]

Incredible advice for those who simply don’t know these things! I experienced my first brake failure in my first car (a ‘67 mustang) at 16 years old. Thankfully it was in a driveway… but it was a somewhat steep driveway and my fathers brand new truck was parked right behind me. Panic set in but somehow I saved it and no damage was done. From that moment on I practiced and familiarized myself with what to do in the same situation, and inspect brake hoses and lines routinely! I have had 2 more brake failures since then, and both were also in a driveway. I consider myself damn lucky to have never had it happen on the highway. But always keeping these things in the back of your mind is crucial when driving classics… or ANY vehicle for that matter!

[@GrandPitoVic]

Your are very right!!! People need to practice alot with the e-brake when they get a new (to them) car so they know in a emergency what the car will do in a emergency. I've seen people snatch the e-brake and the rear end came around on them. They had no control of the car because they didn't release the e-brake and reapply it to keep control of their car. Thank you for the content. This is very important knowledge.

[@petermontagnon4440]

When my Father taught me how to derive ,he said that you always popup the brakes ...exon the Emerge!!! My father told me know your vehicle!!! Excellent Video!! Any car!!

[@jamesdevore3022]

The Kentucky driver license book still tells you to pull the release while pressing the floor pedal or hold the button on the pull lever. They don't say anything about the style brake you showed at first.

[@timothydraper6626]

I learned the same 'never give up' lesson in a cycle accident, I lost full control, and waited for the inevitable, and was concussed for two weeks, it occurred to me years later that I should have used the brakes to scrub as much speed as possible off even though I had lost full control. I might have just got away with cuts and bruises if I had. Fight To The End. :-)

[@timothydraper6626]

@@DanEBoyd I was bouncing along in the gap between the curb and the road and realised I couldn't return to the road, and gave up and waited to crash, it seemed to obvious when I suddenly thought 'I ought to have scrubbed as much as I possibly could', it was my first bike crash at 28mph tho, so it was new situation to grapple with. Lesson solidly learned.

[@bobeaseshop9389]

Only use ATE DOT 4 from metal cans... never use brake fluid from a plastic bottle. By the time one uses plastic bottle DOT 3 it's half done with water. Great Video!!! I have posted so many videos about never use parts store plastic bottle junk. Use any way you can to stop the water in the brake fluid. Change it every 2 years and it give you a chance to check the WHOLE system. Live are in the balance like you said.... Bobbyu

[@Mohawk62]

Another awesome vid Uncle Tony, thanks. My dad's rule... you should only go as fast as you can stop! That phrase goes through my head every time I mash the gas pedal. Hope this video might save someone.

[@user-ut4vw6qp3o]

SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY with a old cars. Your point is well taken. I don't understand why anyone would take a old car down the road without servicing the brake system first. Our brains have time lapses so even if the owner said he changed them ... it could be 10 years ago! Every old car that sat for years or a barn find car I have worked on has needed virtually ALL new or rebuilt brake components: master cylinder, slave cylinders, caliper rebuilt, new shoe linings (I have seen them stuck to the drum and off the shoe), new self adjusters, and if up north new brake lines. FYI Tony, there was a situation with a vehicle that sat for a long time. I restored a 1967 Amphicar that sat for 20 years in a garage. The brakes felt hard but no fluid moved to the slave cylinders to move the shoes. So I disconnected the flex lines and examined them. They were not filled with crud but swollen completely shut from the old fluid being in there for 20+ years. From that point on any old car I got I would replace the flex lines even if they are not cracked. Just as a safety measure to ensure they are wide open. Great job on educating the public on brakes ... safety is non-negotiable and can mean saving a life , if not your own!

[@phillipvansickle4220]

I've had a double chamber master cylinder fail in heavy traffic. Downshifted and used the parking brake. Also had a throttle stick wide open (aftermarket air cleaners or even floor mats can do this). Killed the ignition and steered the car off the road. Every few years I throw a vacuum bleeder on each wheel cylinder and change the brake fluid in all of my vehicles...cheap insurance against problems.

[@wgenerotzky]

Sad how common knowledge has been lost, good thing you’re helping to bring it back, as should all us with it.

[@youhaveamonkey]

This is RIGHT ON. I think it might be handy if you did a torque converter 101….

[@elmermeek6162]

Excellent video Tony, I was hoping you would explain that info to the new comers, I used to repose cars and bikes, one day I'm delivering a Toyota Camry to the auction and the brakes went out on the freeway when I was in the fast lane, the only way I had to stop was both pump the brakes and use the parking brake to gradually stop the car while I steered to the shoulder of the freeway, now you can't just yank the handle up or jam the pedal down it has to be done slowly and without locking either the brakes or the mechanism that's applied. And this process should be practiced in a safe environment. When I was a teenager 35 years ago my father made me practice it, so he wouldn't have to pay a ridiculous amount of a insurance clame as my car was a 1967 mustang shelby gt-350 coupe, and yes I was 16 with a shelby I bought from a farmer that parked it headlights first into a telephone pole. I gave him $200.00 and towed it home, there was no frame or unibody damage so I put the front clip from a 1967 mustang gt. On it and the car was a sleeper at the time, anyway great viedo.

[@martehoudesheldt5885]

i left comment on the other 2 vids on this about "E" brakes and in this vid you covered them well done thankyou! now if people will just learn to use and remember to use it in an emergency. just remember no steer, no stop = NO DRIVE !

[@natevanlandingham1945]

Back when I had a stick shift ranger I blew out a brake line on the way to work one morning. Drove the remaining 20 miles to work down shifting and foot emergency brake then the 50 miles home the same way .

[@Monaco-BuilditFixitDriveitEver]

Yep! Know your ride!

[@DK-jg5vk]

Hold up a minute Tony... In your reaction to the Mercury crash video, you said that anything you can do to slow the car down in the event of a brake failure will mitigate the severity of damage, and that is true. So if the Mercury guy would have had a functioning emergency/parking brake, he should have deployed the f(@k out of it. In a system that has drum rear brakes, the parking brake cable in many cases only deployes one brake shoe, But one rear brake shoe sounds a lot better than "no brakes". He could have done that while he was pumping the brake pedal and down shifting etc. I totally agree with you that this video gives us all an opportunity to plan out what we would do if this ever happens to us in our cars and also to teach our children what to do in this situation.