It was 23 degrees outside when I got in my car at work to go home. I pulled out of my space as usual, and at the end of the parking lot drive, which was on a downward slant, I stopped without incident before entering the road. Brakes worked.
Then I drove a short way going at about 15-20 mph, for less than 1/8 of a mile, and as I approached the next stop sign, I applied my brakes, and to my horror, the car kept rolling. The brake had gone down about half-way, I think, and there was no noise or vibration. Luckily, no other cars around, and I cruised through the stop sign and swung right, and all of a sudden, my brakes "caught" and I started slowing down. The whole thing lasted only a couple of seconds. The road was perfectly dry, nor had I driven through any water/snow/ice earlier that morning. After that, my brakes worked fine through the rest of my 30 mile trip. My car is a 2002 Nissan Altima, and the front brakes had been serviced < 6 mos ago. Any ideas? Can cold weather do this?
2007-02-05 11:05:34 · 8 answers · asked by MamaBean 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I'm absolutely sure there was no ice, but for those suggesting low brake fluid, wouldn't a warning light come on if that were the case? There was no warning light of any kind. I do intend to have my mechanic check it out, but I'm wondering in the meantime what my cause this.
2007-02-05 11:20:05 · update #1
make sure you have enough brake fluid - it sounds like you dont have enough fluid pressure - there may also be some water in the brake lines - you may have to bleed the brakes but first add some brake fluid and see if it helps
2007-02-05 11:12:00 · answer #1 · answered by noah 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My guess would be you driving on black ice and your car was sliding.If the road looks wet in cold weather it could be ice.If you are sure there was no ice take your back to the people who serviced breaks.If your brakes do fail you could die and or kill someonelse.
2007-02-05 11:10:46 · answer #2 · answered by upforitupforitupforitupforitru 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have anti-lock brakes, then they might be failing. If you hit black ice then it wouldn't stop the car until after you got off the black ice.
Now, if your master cylinder is failing, it could have these symptoms, and it is very likely in cold weather.
2007-02-05 11:26:09 · answer #3 · answered by Lemar J 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your brakes have to go down to the floor before the light comes on.check the master cylinder,it still could be low,or it could just starting to go bad.
2007-02-05 14:14:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
definite warming up a automobile is sturdy on your engine and could be finished once you stay in parts with freezing temperatures. Your mileage will nevertheless pass down because A. iciness gas is somewhat a lot less effectual. B. the computer mapping will use more effective gas even as the temperature is chilly. and C. Your automobile will idol longer once you allow it warmth up. Why you may want to allow it warmth up. There are a pair of causes. imagine initially of the oil. even as the oil receives chilly, it receives thicker, and therefore doesn't lubricate the elements on your engine besides. in case you imediatly positioned stress on those elements by potential of asking them to artwork flat out, you harm your inner elements of the engine. in case you allow the engine arise to operating temperature, you reduce those unfavourable outcomes by potential of allowing the engine to change into properly lubricated previously you position a load on it and ask it to do artwork. even as the seals are chilly there's a lot less performance interior the combustion chamber, because the seals warmth, get lubricated, they boost somewhat and the performance of the burn will strengthen. finally, even as a automobile is at operating temperature, you reduce the quantity of pollutants you position into the air. once you ask a automobile to do artwork, (aka positioned it in force and hit the gas) more effective pollutants is created. If the catalytic converter isn't warm, it received't effectivly do this is job to get rid of the pollutants popping out of the engine. as a outcome it really is maximum perfect to allow the engine idol and not in any respect do alot of work till it receives to operating temperature, that way your minimizing your impact on the ecosystem. (who might want to have theory letting your automobile idol might want to help issues, lol) so some distance as time, it truly depeds on the exterior temperature. you are able to look at your water temp gauge and wait till it receives to operating temperature, or in case you hit upon that takes too lengthy you are able to wait till your getting warmth popping out of your air vents. once this is warm you do not forget that your engine might want to no longer be top as a lot as temp, in spite of the undeniable fact that this is getting close and wont harm to force. A commonplace rule of thumb is that it will take someplace between 5 and quarter-hour. Longer than 15 can no longer help something. 5 is sturdy for days which aren't to any extent further too chilly. wish that permits :)
2016-10-17 05:34:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds to me like something in the anti-lock system was frozen or stuck u may want to have a service tech check it out for you
2007-02-05 11:11:54 · answer #6 · answered by iluv2licit 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If this was the only incident then I would say you hit an icy patch.
2007-02-05 11:41:43 · answer #7 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
low break fluid i guess.
2007-02-05 11:12:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋