What Causes the Brake to Feel Hard When Starting the Car?
2 Answers
There are many reasons why the brake feels hard when starting the car. Here are the detailed explanations: 1. Related to pressing the brake before turning off the engine: The car's braking system works best when the engine is running, and the brake booster is the key component that amplifies the force applied to the brake pedal. When the engine is off, the brake booster may malfunction, and typically, pressing the brake pedal three times will deplete its remaining vacuum force. Therefore, the brake feeling hard is essentially due to the lack of assistance from the booster. Solution: In this case, simply restart the engine and try pressing the brake pedal firmly to reactivate it. 2. Malfunction of the car's brake booster: If you did not press the brake pedal after turning off the engine or if you notice the brake pedal is hard to press while driving, it is likely due to a faulty brake booster. This could be caused by a leak or blockage in the brake booster's vacuum tube. Solution: If this issue is noticed before driving, it is advisable not to proceed and instead take the car to a repair shop for inspection. If the problem occurs while driving, stay calm, prioritize slowing down and stopping the vehicle. You can try pressing the pedal multiple times to see if braking can be restored. Applying more force usually allows the brakes to function.
As an experienced driver with over a decade behind the wheel, I often encounter situations where the brake pedal feels stiff and hard to press during startup. This is mainly because the brake booster isn't functioning properly due to issues with the vacuum system. The booster relies on vacuum generated by the engine to help you press the brake pedal easily. If there's insufficient vacuum during startup or a leak in the vacuum line, the pedal becomes very stiff. I remember once when I was driving to the countryside for an outing, the brake was so hard during startup that I couldn't press it, which gave me quite a scare. I had to drive very slowly. Later, upon inspection, I found a small crack in the vacuum hose, and replacing it fixed the issue. Always pay attention to how your brakes feel while driving, and don't wait until they suddenly become stiff to address the problem—safety comes first. Take your car to a repair shop and have a professional mechanic check the vacuum level; it's an easy fix.
