Brake failure occurs when the braking system fails to function, causing the car to continue moving even when the brake pedal is pressed. The danger is clear: brake failure can cause serious accidents on the road.

To prevent this, it is very important to regularly check and maintain the brake system. Replace the brake fluid, brake pads, and pay attention to other components so that they are always in top condition. 

Here are some common causes of brake failure:

1. Leaking Brake Fluid

Brake fluid is the key component in a hydraulic braking system. If brake fluid leaks, the pressure needed to clamp the pads and rotor discs is lost. As a result, the brakes cannot function properly. Therefore, regularly check the brake fluid level in the engine compartment!

2. Vapor Lock

Have you heard of vapor lock? This occurs when the brake fluid becomes too hot due to continuous braking. Boiling brake fluid produces steam, causing the hydraulic pressure to drop, and ultimately leading to brake failure.

3. Damaged Brake Piston

If the brake piston is damaged, hydraulic pressure cannot be transmitted to push the brake pads. This is usually due to a damaged or leaking piston seal. As a result, the brakes cannot function optimally.

4. Faulty Brake Caliper

A damaged brake caliper prevents the brake pads from properly clamping the brake disc. This reduces braking power and can cause the brakes to fail.

5. Overheated Brakes

Overheated brakes can cause performance to decline. Therefore, during long trips, take regular breaks to allow the brakes to cool down.

6. Worn Brake Pads

Continuous use can cause brake pads to wear out or experience brake fade, similar to vapor lock. If the braking system experiences excessive heat, the brake pads can melt. As a result, the brake components cannot function properly.

For those who frequently drive down long slopes, establish a proper braking pattern using engine braking by shifting to a lower gear to avoid overheating the brakes.

7. Excessive Vehicle Load

An overly heavy vehicle load also puts additional strain on the brakes. If the brake pads and rotors are forced to continuously brake under excessive load, there is a risk of the pads wearing out quickly and the brakes failing.

8. Lack of Maintenance

Lastly, brake failure can also occur due to neglecting maintenance. Mud or rust in the brake system can cause the brakes to malfunction. Therefore, make it a habit to regularly check the brakes to ensure safe driving.

Indonesia

Rem blong terjadi saat sistem pengereman gagal berfungsi, bikin mobil terus melaju meski pedal rem diinjak. Bahayanya jelas, rem blong bisa memicu kecelakaan yang serius di jalan.

Untuk mencegah hal itu, penting banget untuk rutin ngecek dan merawat sistem rem. Ganti minyak rem, kampas rem, dan perhatikan komponen lain supaya selalu dalam kondisi prima. 

Berikut beberapa penyebab rem blong yang sering terjadi:

1. Minyak Rem Bocor

Minyak rem adalah kunci utama dalam sistem pengereman yang bekerja dengan sistem hidrolik. Kalau minyak rem bocor, tekanan yang dibutuhkan buat menjepit kampas dan piringan cakram jadi hilang. Akibatnya, rem nggak bisa bekerja maksimal. Jadi, cek volume minyak rem di ruang mesin secara rutin, ya!

2. Vapor Lock

Pernah dengar istilah vapor lock? Ini terjadi kalau minyak rem terlalu panas karena pedal rem diinjak terus-menerus. Minyak rem yang mendidih bakal menghasilkan uap air, bikin tekanan hidrolik hilang, dan akhirnya rem blong.

3. Piston Rem Rusak

Kalau piston rem rusak, tekanan hidrolik nggak bisa diteruskan buat dorong kampas rem. Biasanya, ini karena seal piston yang rusak atau bocor. Akibatnya, rem nggak bisa bekerja optimal.

4. Kaliper Rem Bermasalah

Kaliper rem yang rusak bikin kampas rem nggak bisa menjepit piringan rem dengan benar. Efeknya, daya pengereman berkurang dan rem bisa blong.

5. Rem Terlalu Panas

Rem yang kepanasan bikin kinerjanya menurun. Makanya, saat perjalanan jauh, sempatkan berhenti secara teratur biar rem bisa adem lagi.

6. Kampas Rem Aus

Menggunakan secara terus-menerus bisa menyebabkan kampas rem rusak atau brake fade, seperti yang terjadi pada vapor lock. Kalau sistem pengereman mengalami suhu yang berlebihan, kampas rem bisa meleleh. Akibatnya, komponen di rem tidak dapat berfungsi dengan baik.

Buat yang sering lewat turunan panjang, atur pola pengereman yang baik menggunakan engine brake dengan menurunkan posisi gigi mobil untuk menghindari suhu panas pada rem.

7. Beban Mobil Kelebihan

Beban mobil yang terlalu berat juga bikin kerja rem makin berat. Kalau kampas dan piringan rem dipaksa ngerem beban berlebih terus-menerus, risikonya kampas cepat habis dan rem jadi blong.

8. Kurang Perawatan

Terakhir, rem blong juga bisa muncul karena malas perawatan. Lumpur atau karat di sistem rem bisa bikin rem nggak berfungsi dengan baik. Jadi, biasakan rutin cek rem biar selalu aman saat mengemudi.