What Causes the Brake Pedal to Be Hard to Press After Starting the Car?
2 Answers
Car starting after the brake pedal is hard to press reasons are: 1. The car's vacuum booster pump leaks or fails; 2. The brake was pressed again after the engine was turned off, related to the brake booster pump; 3. Lack of necessary maintenance on the brake system, too much debris in the brake master cylinder, poor sealing, or vacuum booster pump failure; 4. Improper operation leading to mechanical failure. Solutions for the brake pedal being hard to press after starting the car: 1. Restart the engine and try to press the brake pedal hard again; 2. While driving, the priority is to slow down and stop, try pressing the pedal multiple times to restore braking; 3. If this situation is discovered before driving, the car can be directly sent to a repair shop.
I remember one time when I was driving my old car, I got a cold sweat after starting it and finding the brake pedal completely stiff. Later, it was diagnosed as a failure in the brake vacuum booster system, which is commonly caused by the engine starting but the vacuum pump leaking or the hose being damaged, resulting in no booster assistance. Causes include aging rubber components, cracked pipelines, or unstable engine idling affecting vacuum generation. There are other possibilities, such as contaminated brake fluid or air entering the hydraulic lines, causing abnormal pressure. Safety first—if you encounter this situation, never force the pedal down. Instead, slow down to stop and inspect or seek professional repair. I've developed a habit of regular checks, inspecting the vacuum hoses and brake fluid condition during every maintenance session, which effectively prevents such dangers.
