I’m mostly thinking about a scenario where you are going down a highway (say, at 120kmh for the sake of the example) and suddenly your brakes fail
could shifting to Reverse function as a brake in that situation?
edit: thank you all for the answers, I want to note that I myself don’t drive and did not consider doing this, I was just wondering if this was possible
have a lovely day o/
In: 11
Can you? It depends on the car (Newer cars definitely not, older ones maybe)
Should you? If you have to stop *right now* and your car *can* do it, it’s an option. It would be unsafe but you’re already in an unsafe situation to begin with.
Here’s a video showing what happens in an older (manual transmission) car where it is possible.
Not a car guy, so my first response would have been “jam it into park”.
But yes, using the parking brake would seem to be the best solution.
I am curious, though, about electric vehicles.
Driving an electric forklift, operators are instructed to utilize what is known as “plugging” for emergency stopping. “Plugging” is simply switching the transmission from “forward” to “reverse” while not letting up on the throttle. The electric motor brakes the forklift and, eventually, begins to reverse it back the way it came.
I am curious if “plugging” is a possibility in electric vehicles.
I witnessed a post office truck shift into reverse to try and stop. His brakes were still working but he was going to rear end a vehicle so shifted in an attempt to stop faster. His transmission and differential exploded. The wheels and axle stayed on the ground and the rear end of the box launched about 8 feet high. He still hit the vehicle in front of him. My dad was a mechanic for the post office and came home laughing and telling me about the damage to the truck.
My first car was an ’84 Kcar and one night I hit the brakes but wasn’t stopping so I slammed it into park at about 30kph. We stopped very violently and quickly, my passenger wasn’t wearing a seatbelt and ate the dash lol. It didn’t do any damage to the car.
Can you? It depends on the car (Newer cars definitely not, older ones maybe)
Should you? If you have to stop *right now* and your car *can* do it, it’s an option. It would be unsafe but you’re already in an unsafe situation to begin with.
Here’s a video showing what happens in an older (manual transmission) car where it is possible.
Shifting into reverse when your brakes fail is not a safe or effective way to stop your vehicle. Doing so can cause the vehicle to jolt or lurch forward, potentially causing a loss of control, as well as damage to the transmission and other parts of the vehicle. If your brakes fail, the safest course of action is to remain calm and try to slow down the vehicle using other means, such as downshifting, using the emergency brake, or using the friction from rubbing against a guardrail or curb. It’s important to have your vehicle inspected regularly and have your brakes checked by a professional to help prevent brake failure.
Not a car guy, so my first response would have been “jam it into park”.
But yes, using the parking brake would seem to be the best solution.
I am curious, though, about electric vehicles.
Driving an electric forklift, operators are instructed to utilize what is known as “plugging” for emergency stopping. “Plugging” is simply switching the transmission from “forward” to “reverse” while not letting up on the throttle. The electric motor brakes the forklift and, eventually, begins to reverse it back the way it came.
I am curious if “plugging” is a possibility in electric vehicles.
[myth buster did it.](https://youtu.be/hakNxO5pME4)
It’s about halfway thru the video when they start “testing”
Shifting into reverse when your brakes fail is not a safe or effective way to stop your vehicle. Doing so can cause the vehicle to jolt or lurch forward, potentially causing a loss of control, as well as damage to the transmission and other parts of the vehicle. If your brakes fail, the safest course of action is to remain calm and try to slow down the vehicle using other means, such as downshifting, using the emergency brake, or using the friction from rubbing against a guardrail or curb. It’s important to have your vehicle inspected regularly and have your brakes checked by a professional to help prevent brake failure.
Shifting into reverse when your brakes fail is not a safe or effective way to stop your vehicle. Doing so can cause the vehicle to jolt or lurch forward, potentially causing a loss of control, as well as damage to the transmission and other parts of the vehicle. If your brakes fail, the safest course of action is to remain calm and try to slow down the vehicle using other means, such as downshifting, using the emergency brake, or using the friction from rubbing against a guardrail or curb. It’s important to have your vehicle inspected regularly and have your brakes checked by a professional to help prevent brake failure.
[myth buster did it.](https://youtu.be/hakNxO5pME4)
It’s about halfway thru the video when they start “testing”
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