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An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the world \u2014 having the breadth of skills, the savoir-faire<\/a>, to handle any situation you find yourself in. With that in mind, each Sunday we\u2019ll be republishing one of the illustrated guides from our archives, so you can hone your manly know-how week by week.<\/em><\/p>\n When you depress the brake pedal on your car, it pressurizes fluid in your brake lines which transmit force to your brake pads, forcing them to squeeze against your car\u2019s wheel. The resulting friction is what brings you to a nice, comfortable stop. When your brakes fail, it\u2019s typically because you\u2019ve lost a substantial amount of brake fluid, or because your brake pads are incredibly worn out. The best way to deal with your brakes going out is to practice preventive maintenance on your car. Make sure to have your mechanic check your brake system whenever you go in for an oil change<\/a>, or before a long trip.<\/p>\n If you are driving and think your brakes have failed, don\u2019t panic. And certainly don’t just turn the car off \u2014 doing so while it’s moving could cause your steering wheel to lock. Fortunately, you\u2019ve got other options; use the tips above to avoid an accident, slow down, and ultimately come to a safe stop.<\/p>\n