The automobile braking system: the one safety feature on every car that needs to be in proper working order. It would probably be safe to say that you depend on your brakes as much as you depend on the car itself. Maybe more. Sometimes, though, there are odd times when you need the brakes to kick in.

The car brakes still work with the engine off, but they will not work the same as they would under normal driving conditions. Instead of being engine-assisted like normal driving, the braking pressure will only come from the pressure you put on the pedal.

To understand this, we need to look at how the braking system works.

Will My Brakes Work Without The Engine Running?

The braking system is augmented by a vacuum booster that allows proper braking with minimal input from the driver. This booster relies on an engine vacuum to create an enormous amount of pressure.

Should your engine suddenly stop running, the pressure in the circuit quickly drops so that the braking force is only exerted by pedal pressure. This results in the pedal being extremely hard to press due to the lack of vacuum assist from the engine.

You may notice that if your car is idling and you press the brakes rapidly that the engine may start to run faster as it is trying to compensate for the power needed within the brake booster assembly. This is the engine’s way of pulling in more air to create the vacuum for the booster function.

If for any reason, your vacuum booster should fail or the engine itself stops running, you automatically lose the vacuum assist function. At this point, you will be able to stop the vehicle, but the amount of pressure it now takes to engage the brakes is coming directly from you, the driver, and not the vacuum booster.

So, yes, the brakes will still work, but they will not work the same as they would under normal driving conditions.

The Automotive Braking System

The automotive braking system, while simple in design, has come of age right along with computer technology. Today’s ABS braking systems use that computer tech to properly apply pressure to each individual set of calipers to not only slow but prevent an automobile from sliding.

The average modern automobiles of today have a braking system located on all four wheels and operated by hydraulics. Due to the law of gravity, when an automobile begins to brake, all of the braking forces shift forward to the front brakes and front wheels.

For the most part, the more efficient disc brakes are used on the front and drum brakes on the rear. Some of your more ‘high-end’ sports cars and luxury cars employ disc brakes on all four wheels, while most of the older model cars use the drum type on all wheels.

Brake Hydraulics

The hydraulic system that operates the brakes is a fluid-filled system composed of slave and master cylinders, all interconnected by pipes. When you depress the brake pedal, a piston in the master cylinder pushes the fluid through the pipes. This fluid, in turn, flows to the slave cylinder on the wheels and engages the disc or drum to slow the vehicle.

This particular setup provides constant pressure in all of the pipes, giving power to each brake. It also allows great force to be applied, much like using a long lever to move a heavy object.

Most current models of cars use a tandem system of master hydraulic cylinders; in case one fails, there is a backup to keep the pressure applied. These master cylinder pistons have to travel 4 to 6 inches in order to fill the slave cylinder, which only moves a fraction of an inch to apply the brake.

Brake Boosters

Today’s cars are also fitted with brake boosters. They operate on a vacuum pressure to help boost the pressure being applied to the master cylinder. This, in turn, makes an effort needed to apply the brakes ever so slightly.

It is the sole purpose of the brake booster to make braking as effortless as possible. Should your brake booster fail, it would be harder for you to press the brake pedal. Also, visible fluid leaks could be a sign that the booster or master cylinder is about to fail.

Anti-Lock Braking Systems

Today’s hydraulic brake systems also use what is known as ABS technology. Anti-lock braking systems ABS for short keep your vehicle from going into an uncontrolled slide. It accomplishes this by using several different components that make up the ABS ​​​​system.

These components consist of an electronically controlled pump valve that keeps each wheel’s braking mechanism properly primed with fluid. In addition, there are speed sensors located at the front and rear of the vehicle that allows more pressure to be applied to a certain wheel should it detect a spin condition.

The repeated sound coming from the brakes when you stop hard is the brake pads pushing against the rotor as they work to stop the car and prevent skidding. The car may feel like it is stuttering to a halt. This is the normal way the ABS system works. 

If you hear or feel anything out of the ordinary, then check your brakes during normal braking and see if it still occurs. 

ABS braking systems are pretty commonplace in today’s new vehicles. While ABS not too long ago was considered an add-on accessory, now it is viewed as a standard safety item.

What Type of Fluid Do Braking Systems Use?

A lot has already been mentioned about the fact that automotive braking systems work off of fluid pressure. But what kind of fluid should you put into the braking system of your vehicle?

The fluid designed for use in automotive braking systems is primarily a hydraulic fluid. This simply means that it is used under great pressures and extreme temperatures to move the various parts of the braking system. It is most commonly referred to simply as brake fluid.

While brake fluid function is relatively easy to understand, it is also important to know what​​​​​​​​​ the different types of brake fluid are:

• Glycol Based are brake fluids that are primarily used in ABS systems
• Silicone Base is the fluids used in cars and trucks without ABS systems

Just as your car needs its oil changed at regular intervals, so too should the brake fluid be periodically changed. Over time the fluid can absorb moisture which will degrade the quality of the fluid, causing it to become less effective.

Most mechanics recommend that you change out your brake fluid every two years. Refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual for the recommended change interval.

What Do The DOT Numbers Mean?

Now that we have determined that brake fluids fall into two categories let’s take a look at the several different DOT numbers that further define these vital fluids.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued numbers that refer to a brake fluid’s boiling point. In general, the lower the number, the lower the boiling point. That is why it is important to choose the correct DOT number for your particular driving conditions.

Here is a list of the DOT numbers and their boiling points.

• DOT 3-140C (284F)
• DOT 4-155C (311F)
• Super DOT 4-195C (383F)
• DOT 5.1-185C (365F)

It is important to know that DOT 5.1 brake fluid is a silicone-based product that does not absorb water. However, it can not be used in modern vehicles because it does not lubricate the ABS pump.

One Final Note

Now that we have determined that your car’s brakes will work without the engine running, it just goes without saying that your braking system needs to be in proper working order at all times.

Should you notice any abnormalities in your vehicle’s braking system, it is better to be safe than sorry and consult with a qualified mechanic that is familiar with your vehicle.

All of us who own cars know that we change our windshield wipers every six months to a year or if we notice a difference in the visibility. Other than the routine of changing our windshield wipers, we don’t ever really think about them. As a newlywed, I noticed that my husband doesn’t turn his windshield wipers off before he turns off the car. I started to wonder if there was a possibility of his battery draining because he wasn’t shutting off his wipers.

Under typical electrical situations in your car, your windshield wipers will not drain your battery. It is, however, a best practice to make sure all accessories are “off” before turning off your vehicle. Making sure the accessories are off will decrease the possibility of leaving something else that may drain your battery.

It is a relief that windshield wipers will not drain your battery. There are, however, many situations that may lead to your battery draining in your car. The good news is that there are precautions that you can take to prevent draining your battery. You can do things specifically for warmer and colder months.

What Can Drain Your Car Battery?

Many things can drain your car’s battery. Some examples that can drain your battery are:

• Battery draining due to faulty alternator diode. A corroded diode will cause the circuit to draw power, even if the engine is not running.
• Extreme temperatures, like temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit and -10 degrees Fahrenheit, will cause your battery to drain.
• A car sitting unused for extended periods will drain your battery quickly.

Here are some things to check when trying to discover why a car battery is drained.

Leaving The Lights On

The first thing that can drain your car’s battery is leaving the lights on in your vehicle. We have all done this at least once in our driving careers.

If your car doesn’t have some kind of system to alert you when the lights are on, it can be easy to leave them on. Depending on where your mind is when you park, the simple task of turning off the lights may escape your mind completely.

An Old Battery

The battery might be old. Batteries have a lifespan between four and six years. If that battery goes beyond that time, the charge may drain faster than average. It is a good idea to keep up with the lifespan of your battery to be able to catch the changes in the rate of the battery draining.

Electrical Issues

If there are electrical problems in your car, that may not be your fault. Your car alarm, clock, and radio are all normal electrical operations that are left on in the background. Sometimes, systems in your car that are not left on might be turned on due to an electrical glitch.

The best thing you can do is take the car to a mechanic to diagnose an electrical glitch and how to fix it.

If you suspect a battery drain due to a parasitic accessory, then you might be able to test it yourself with a few extra parts and a multimeter. (See Video)

Loose or Corroded Connections

The fourth way your car battery can drain your battery is corroded or loose battery connections. Corroded or loose batteries are likely due to irregular maintenance.

When you maintain your vehicle regularly, the shop will check all the fluids and connections in your car to ensure your safety. They will also be able to see if the connections have come loose and will reconnect them during the maintenance.

You may only need to charge your car battery if it is completely dead. You can buy a charger for about or call AAA to come help.  

Prevention in The Summer

There are many things that you can do in the summer to help your car battery from draining. An example would be buying a car battery charger, it can stop it from dying when not in use.

1. The first thing to try and do in extreme heat is to try and keep your car away from excessive heat. Heat can be especially dangerous because, internally, the temperature will dry up the battery fluid if you can search for cool or shaded areas to park your car. You can also try cooling down the interior of the car before getting in (IE: Keeping the doors open for a moment to let out the trapped air).
2. What is essential in the summer months is to drive your car regularly. If you do not drive your vehicle regularly, the battery will die sooner than you expect. What some people suggest is to drive your vehicle to run simple errands about once a month. If you do not want to drive, an alternative is to turn your car on and leave it running for about 15 minutes.
3. Another way to keep your battery from draining in the summer is to be mindful of your electronic devices. Most people are used to driving with their different devices plugged in, like, cell phones, navigation systems, and tablets. When you have your electronic devices plugged in, it begins to drain your battery. In the summer, your car battery is already working overtime, and leaving electronic devices plugged in increases how fast the battery drains.
4. The fourth way to prevent your car battery from draining in the summer is quite simple; keep your battery clean. Corrosion on the battery will cause the battery to drain quicker, and keeping it clean helps the battery run optimally. The easiest way to clean your battery is to wipe the built-up grime with a paper towel. You can scrub the battery terminals with a toothbrush using a mixture of baking soda and water, then wipe it away with a cloth.

Prevention in The Winter

There are many things that you can do in the winter to help your car battery from draining. An example would be having your car battery checked before winter begins to verify the battery’s health.

The first thing to try in the extreme cold is to park your car away from the cold. An ideal place for a vehicle is inside a garage, which keeps the battery away from the outside elements. If you do not have access to a garage, the next best thing is to park your car with the front of it facing the opposite way of the wind.

What is essential in the winter months is to pause before you turn on your accessories. In the winter, it is necessary to let the alternator charge the battery before you bombard it with all your accessories. It is also essential to make sure all of those accessories are turned off before you turn off your car.

Turning off the accessories will make sure that they are not draining the battery when the vehicle is not on.

In the winter, if you notice your car is having some difficulty turning over, you can juice it up before you start it. Carrying a battery jump starter is an essential item to have if you are going to have your car in cold temperatures. 

A fully charged battery will not freeze until about -76 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas a battery not fully charged will start to freeze around 32 degrees Fahrenheit. This extra charge can help your battery last through the winter months.

The fourth way to prevent your car battery from draining in the winter is to keep your battery free from dirt and debris. When the temperatures drop in the winter, the battery has to work harder with the thickened engine oil and electrical resistance.

If you see a white substance on your battery terminals, that is a sure sign of corrosion. To clean off that corrosion, take a damp cloth, baking soda, water, and a toothbrush to clean that off of the battery. 

Conclusion

The windshield wipers are one among many accessories in your car to turn off to ensure your car battery is not drained. In the summer and winter, we can prevent battery drain by keeping our cars inside a garage or an area with better temperature regulation.

If we maintain our battery and follow best practices to prevent battery drain, then a draining battery is usually due to electrical issues in our car, such as the alternator or bad wire connections.

If you have AAA or go to an auto parts store, they are likely able to test your battery and diagnose any problems. Then you can get back on the road with confidence that your battery is in good working condition.   

You recently bought a set of all-purpose tires that are marketed as being able to conquer any terrain and handle the most brutal of winter weather conditions. However, as the flagger turns his sign and directs you to drive slowly through the accident scene, you can’t shake the feeling that the glass scattered all across the intersection is going to shred your new tires.

Car tires can run over the glass because nearly all major tire brands for passenger vehicles have used steel belt technology beneath the rubber tread since the mid-1970s, so it is very unlikely that glass would puncture your tires and cause a major blowout.

However, as with most things in life, you can never say “never.” While there is basically no chance that glass on the highway will do any significant damage to a normal car tire in good condition, it is up to you to know if you may be an exception. If your tires are old, worn, or heavily abused, then the chances increase that running over glass may cause an issue.

Can Windshield Glass Pop a Tire?

No, generally speaking, windshield glass cannot pop a tire.

First and foremost, essentially all modern passenger vehicle tires are equipped with steel belts beneath the rubber tread, negating the damage that sharp objects can do when piercing the rubber of the tire.

In addition, the windshield glass is designed to “conveniently” break. It takes a significant force to break a windshield from a car, but if some major impact causes the glass to shatter, the pieces of the windshield will not be sharp.

This “tempered glass” that is found in the windshield of cars is designed with rapid heating and cooling processes so that in the unlikely event that one of the windshields breaks, it will break into tiny little pieces that mimic pebbles.

Windshields were designed like this to protect passengers. It would be a terrible thing to get into an accident and avoid any bodily injury only to have the windshield fall out and cut the passengers to shreds. With tempered glass technology, if the windshield were to fall out during an accident, the passengers would be met with a lap full of what amount to playground pebbles.

Therefore, when driving through an area in which the highway appears to be covered with windshield glass, do not panic, as this glass will not damage your tires. In fact, when driving through an accident scene, sharp little pieces of plastic from the bumper are more likely to damage your tires than will the windshield glass, although this, too, is unlikely.

What to Do if You Drive over Glass Shards?

Steel belt technology in tires has been a major boon for auto owners since its introduction in the mid-1970s. Not only does it make driving safer, as it greatly reduces the chances of sharp objects piercing your tires, but it also extends the life of the tires, saving you money by reducing the frequency with which you need to get your tires changed.

While we have established that broken glass on the highway is extremely unlikely to “pop” your steel-belted tire and cause a blowout, there is a chance that it could do some insidious damage and cause a slow leak. The following are a few ways in which glass may slowly damage your car tires:

• Old, worn, or abused tires – tires that are nearing the end of their useful life (most likely around 30,000 or 40,000 miles for most brands) or that have seen their tread damaged in off-road activities run a greater risk of having glass puncture them and cause a leak.
• It is summer – warm temperatures cause the rubber in tires to heat up and soften. This makes it easier for glass shards to find their way into the tire rubber and cause a slow leak. Also, consider the friction with the road and the fact that dark objects absorb more heat, making the small likelihood of glass piercing your tire greater in summer.
• Bottle glass – while we have determined that tempered windshield glass is unlikely to cause your tires harm, other types of glass, such as that used to make beverage bottles, offer no such technology. The sharp, pointed edges of this shattered glass increase the likelihood that your tire could get punctured when driving through a parking lot or alley.

This Video shows what might happen if you run over a glass bottle. 

Even if one or more of the above conditions contribute to glass puncturing your tires, it is not going to make your tire “pop.” Your tire may eventually blow out, but it will occur many miles later due to the following process:

• Glass cuts the tire – a piece of glass cuts into the rubber of the tire, introducing itself into the steel belt.
• Foreign particles enter – this wound caused in the steel belt of the car tire allows dirt, air, and other foreign particles to enter the tire, forming a harmful accumulation over time.
• Corrosion and contamination – the buildup of these foreign particles leads to corrosion and contamination, which will eventually cause the steel belt to separate from the tread. When sufficient separation occurs, you will experience a blowout, which happens about 5,000 to 15,000 miles after the glass initially penetrates your tire.

Therefore, while the postmortem will reveal that a glass puncture was the cause of your tire blowout, it is a little far-fetched to say that running over glass caused your tire to pop.

If you run over the glass and are concerned that the integrity of your tires might be compromised, there are some steps you can take to make sure that you are glass free.

1. Give a Visual Inspection

After driving over a bed of glass, pull your vehicle off the road and into an area where you will have ample space to thoroughly examine all four tires.

Look for any glass that is sticking to the tires. While it is most likely just stuck in the tread, it could be lodged in there due to a hole in the rubber. Carefully clean this glass out with a stick or gloved hand, making a note of how resistant the glass is to dislodging.

In addition, look for any sliced or damaged areas of the sidewall, and keep your ear open for a minor hissing sound that may indicate the release of tire pressure through a small leak.

2. Check Tire Pressure

While it is always a good idea to keep a tire pressure gauge in the glove compartment of your vehicle (they can be bought for as little as a dollar at some auto stores), the reality is that not everyone does.

If you are one of the people who does not have a gauge, then find a gas station that has an air pump and check your tire pressure. Your owner’s manual will tell you where your tire pressure should be sitting, but for most vehicles, it could be around 32 to 36 psi.

When you buy a tire, it might show 34 psi on it, but the best for your car or vehicle may be indicated on the door or frame. You can also look in your owner’s manual. Try not to use anything significantly lower or higher than this range because it could be problematic.

If there is not a gas station with a pressure gauge nearby, keep an eye on your dashboard, as most modern vehicles will have a tire pressure warning light. In fact, some even have the technology to give a tire pressure reading while driving. If a tire pressure issue arises, a small, orange light that looks like an exclamation point will illuminate.

3. Take it to a Tire Center

Most tire shops will run a free diagnosis on leaks. In addition, if the leak is caused by a puncture in the tire tread, most will remove the foreign object and do a complimentary patch. In the unlikely event that a piece of glass punctures your sidewall, you will probably need to get a new tire.

Car horns are essential to safe driving, so it’s only natural to worry if they would be damaged or disabled in freezing winter weather. Many people have had a few close calls on the road where their car horn probably saved them from a nasty accident. Nobody wants their car horn to stop working during winter weather when driving can be especially dangerous.

A car horn can freeze and could temporarily malfunction, but it won’t be damaged. If you are preparing to drive in sub-freezing weather, test your horn before heading out to make sure that it works. If your horn isn’t working, give your car additional time to warm up and thaw your horn.

Extremely cold weather might also cause your car to honk all by itself overnight. In that case, you might have a few older parts that the cold is affecting and might need replacing. We will walk through what exactly causes a car horn to malfunction and other things that may go wrong with your car in cold temperatures.

Why Freezing Weather Might Cause A Car Horn to Malfunction?

It’s great to know that cold weather won’t permanently damage a car horn, but it is important to know more about why a horn might malfunction and what you can do to prevent that.

The horn relay, the bit of circuitry that tells your horn to honk after you press on the steering wheel, can become coated in ice overnight during freezing weather. Ice is a bad conductor, so your horn won’t be able to honk until that ice is removed or thawed.

To be safe, you can always give your horn a test before driving, and letting your car warm up a bit should be enough to solve the problem.

The guys over at Car Talk, Tom and Ray, had some answers as to why a car might be honking all by itself during cold weather.

Cold weather can cause parts of your car to shrink minutely. Older horn relays, horn pads, and the springs holding up those pads can shrink enough so that they accidentally set off your horn. New replacement parts should be strong enough that some shrinking won’t affect their usage.

How to Protect Your Horn From Cold Weather?

One of the best things you can do to keep your car horn from malfunctioning due to cold weather is to keep it in a garage. Garages are warmer than outside and are protected from sources of ice like snow, rain, and dew.

If you don’t have a garage, you can take your car to a mechanic prior to the worst of winter weather to make sure that any maintenance is kept up to date. This can help prevent your various relays, springs, and other parts from going bad in both your horn and other parts of your vehicle.

How Else Might Cold Weather Affect My Vehicle?

Cold weather can affect many of your car’s systems, so here are some things to watch out for:

• The air in your tires shrinks during cold weather, reducing your tire pressure.
• The rubber in all-season tires can lose its grip in freezing weather.
• Motor oil thickens in cold weather, making it harder to start the engine.
• Windshield wipers can become brittle in cold weather, causing them to tear or crack.
• Your windshield will be sensitive and could crack when exposed to excessive heat.
• Your battery may lose part of its strength in freezing temperatures, making it harder to start the engine.
• Your engine block will be more vulnerable to damage if your antifreeze isn’t at peak effectiveness.
• Engine and fan belts can become brittle and snap in cold weather.
• Salt from the roads can corrode your undercarriage and ruin your paint.

What Can I Do to Keep My Car In Good Shape During Cold Weather?

Consider taking these steps to avoid most of the trouble and damage that cold weather can cause to your vehicle:

• Use winter tires: Winter tires are designed to resist the shrinking caused by cold temperatures, so they won’t lose their grip. (see video below)
• Use thinner motor oil: If you live in an area with particularly cold winters, switching to thinner motor oil, or synthetic motor oil, can help keep your engine running smoothly. If you are unsure which type to get or if your area gets cold enough to warrant thinner oil, refer to your car’s manual or ask your mechanic. (see video below)
• Use winter windshield wiper blades: Just as winter tires are designed to better resist the cold, winter wiper blades are designed to get less brittle during cold weather.
• Don’t pour hot water on your windshield to thaw it: Hot water can cause your frozen windshield to crack, so make sure you only use lukewarm water to avoid any damage. You can also use a homemade or store-bought water and rubbing alcohol mixture to defrost your windshield. Alternatively, an ice scraper should be able to get the job done.
• Keep your battery healthy: Cold weather can reduce the capacity of your battery, so you may want to consider replacing it if it is more than three years old. Clean and tight terminals and connections will keep your battery working at its best. If your battery does die in the winter, a jumpstart may be able to revive it. In particularly cold areas, a battery warmer can keep your battery from freezing in sub-zero temperatures.
• Replace your belts as needed: Cold weather can exacerbate the weakness of old belts, so make sure you replace them once they begin to age.
• Double-check your antifreeze: Old antifreeze and antifreeze with the wrong ratio of antifreeze to water won’t be as effective at protecting your engine. You can test your coolant with an antifreeze hydrometer or have a mechanic check for you. Your antifreeze should be a bright color like pink, green, or blue depending on the brand.
• Keep your gas tank full: Even though it won’t get cold enough for your gasoline to freeze, water moisture that collects in your tank and fuel line can freeze. The best way to prevent this is by keeping your tank full.
• Give your car a chance to warm up: Letting your car warm up for a bit can help ensure that any frozen or ice-coated parts of your car, such as your horn, have a chance to warm up and thaw. This can also help prevent various systems, such as your power-steering or transmission from developing leaks, or from heating too quickly.
• Wash your undercarriage: If you live in an area where the roads are salted to prevent ice, that same salt can stick to your wheels and undercarriage and corrode the metal there. Washing your vehicle’s undercarriage can remove built-up salt and prevent corrosion.
• Keep your car in the garage: Your garage is warmer and protected from the elements; this will help reduce the effects of the cold on your vehicle’s various systems.

Using Winter Tires?

What Do the Numbers Mean?

Regular Maintenance

Unless you’re a mechanic yourself, you may need some help with things like replacing your belts or selecting the right type of cold-weather motor oil. The best way to ensure that your vehicle is ready for any winter woes is to take it to your dealership or preferred auto mechanic.

They should be able to give you the best recommendations for what steps to take to prepare your particular vehicle for the weather in your particular area. A ‘99 Ford pickup in Florida won’t need the same winter preparedness as a new Tesla in Alaska.