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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Car cut out going down hill and breaks stopped working….DH thinks I’m overreacting!

20 replies

Sophie9090 · 11/11/2022 12:44

I was just out with my one year old son, driving through a village (so of course going very slow), approached a steep but short hill, engine turns off and the breaks stop working, I was absolutely terrified! I put the hand break on as I didn’t know what to do and I managed to stop just in time before I hit someone’s house!

I phone my husband straight away, as he knows a bit about cars, he made out it was something I did and made me feel like I was overreacting. He said we will keep an eye on it. I do not want to drive the car again.

I don’t see why the breaks stopped working if the engine was off and why the hell the engine turned off! AIBU to refuse to drive the car and for us to get it checked asap?

just a note, it was in the garage yesterday as has been making a strange noise, the mechanic said he can’t see anything major wrong and sent us on our way.

Thanks

OP posts:
etulosba · 11/11/2022 12:47

When the engine cut out you lost the servo assistance which helps you press the brake pedal down. The brakes still work but you have to press down on the pedal with much more force.

Dougieowner · 11/11/2022 12:48

You will loose servo assistance for the brakes with the engine off but they will still work (you just have to stamp a lot harder!).
Did the engine re-start ok or did you get roadside assistance?

junglejane66 · 11/11/2022 12:49

Did you try to restart the engine? Is there fuel in the car?

Newtrix · 11/11/2022 12:51

Not helpful but I had no idea about servo assisted breaks and engines cutting out, that'd really useful information so thank you!

FiveShelties · 11/11/2022 12:51

Did you leave the car there, or try to restart?

Brakes should have worked, but been harder to operate.

hesbeingabitofadick · 11/11/2022 12:58

Get the garage to collect it and check the engine and the brakes.
Until then use a cab if you need a vehicle.

Your DH blaming you?...see my username. Smile

Dougieowner · 11/11/2022 13:02

Newtrix · 11/11/2022 12:51

Not helpful but I had no idea about servo assisted breaks and engines cutting out, that'd really useful information so thank you!

I am old enough to remember cars not routinely having PAS and servo brakes.

First time I drove with servo brakes I hit the pedal and almost went through the windscreen!

Ponderingwindow · 11/11/2022 13:05

I wouldn’t drive it again until it has been to a mechanic. Your husband is wrong on this one.

AriettyHomily · 11/11/2022 13:07

Did you have fuel?

Notanotherwindow · 11/11/2022 13:08

No chance, driving without servo is actually really hard, especially downhill with the weight of the car against you. Like driving without power assisted steering, its really heavy. I'd get it towed back to a garage and not the one that sent you away and find out what's going on. Like fuck would I be driving it like that.

OnlyFannys · 11/11/2022 13:08

I would have been terrified and also refuse to drive it until it has been seen. I didnt know about servo breaks so I think you did well to stay calm and rational enough to try the handbrake in that situation to stop an accident occurring

greenacrylicpaint · 11/11/2022 13:22

the difference between servo brakes and 'normal' brakes is stark.

I wouldn't drive this car again until if has been checked by a certified garage. a modern car should not suddenly switch off like that.

ChatterMonkey · 11/11/2022 13:24

Like PPs above, i didnt know about servo brakes and the difference if the engine is off, really interesting and hopefuly wont need to use it but good knowledge to have!!

Winter789Mermaid · 11/11/2022 13:25

There was a thread on here recently about newer cars turning off on the motorway with some electrical glitch. Sounds flipping terrifying to me!

Threadkillacilla · 11/11/2022 13:27

As already said you need to really stand on the brake.
is it automatic?

mamabear715 · 11/11/2022 13:29

eeek..

etulosba · 11/11/2022 14:41

Unless you are unusually strong, without the engine running you will probably need to use both feet on the brake pedal and press as hard as you can to get the car to stop.

Orangio · 11/11/2022 14:49

This happened to me once. I had to transfer a lot of my bodyweight to the brake pedal to get the car to stop, but it did stop. I think it's likely yours is the same but you probably didn't stand up on the brake (which is reasonable if you didn't know you need to if the engine's off).
You should take your car to a better garage though, re the cutting out. It won't stop anywhere near as fast without the assist so it's not safe.

thelobsterquadrille · 11/11/2022 14:59

Take it back to a different garage and have them have a good look at it.

I wouldn't be driving it again either!

toomuchlaundry · 11/11/2022 15:05

You definitely weren't overreacting

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