Danger of Wet Brakes

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18503, 15 September 1934, Page 9

Danger of Wet Brakes

JT is well known that when the underpart of the car is washed down witli a high-pressure jet, water frequently penetrates inside the brake <-‘inms. with a result that the brakes may lie made temporarily ineffective. It is n wise precaution when cleaning the chassis to depress the brake pedal by means of a suitable length of wood, which can lie placed between t h I ii >i,l 11 1 /i ml ri<A ,i f Ili .t itu-1 mi

JT is well known that when the underpart of the car is washed down with a high-pressure jet, water frequently penetrates inside the brake drums, with a result that the 'brakes may lie made temporarily ineffective. It is n wise precaution when cleaning the chassis to depress the brake pedal by means of a suitable, length of wood, which can lie placed between tiie pedal and the edge of tin 1 instrument hoard, so that the brake shoes grip tin' drums, and percolation of water to the frictional surfaces is less likely to occur.

Writing in The Field, Sir Malcolm Campbell draws attention to the accidents which may happen when a ear owner first drives off after his vehicle has been washed. He cites a case in which a motorist was involved in a mishap due to t lie* failure of Hie brakes from tiie cause named.

It, was contended that the garage proprietor might be liable, in that he had not warned the owner of the possible danger; and in support of that view it was observed that had the engine become defective because of water having reached the ignition system or some other part, the garageman w,ould have been bound to rectify the fault. But Sir Malcolm points out that, the two examples are not parallel, for it is virtually impossible to prevent water from finding its way inside the brake drums if the underparts*. of the car are to be well cleaned, whereas with due care the mechanism of the engine should not be affected. He takes the view that every competent driver should be aware of the risk and take due precautions, adding:— “It is always necessary to exercise the greatest care when driving a ear away after it has been washed. There are very few models whose brakes are immune from this trouble, and in this connection a recent experience of my own may be of interest. As I drove slowlv out of the yard, and just ns the nose of mv car entered the street, a taxi came living by. I applied my brakes instantly, but although I was not travelling at more than two miles nn hour, I could not stop, and missed the taxi by inches only.”

Tiie precautions advised by this famous authority are that the driver should take steps to dry the brakes as quickly as possible. That is Dost done by driving in low gear and applying the brakes gently for a minuie or two, so that the resultant friction will quickly dissipate the water, and should it be necessary to halt suddenly, the resistance of the engine will serve as an effective brake.