Why Can't the Car Start When the Brake Pedal Can't Be Depressed?
2 Answers
The reasons why the car brake can't be depressed and the car can't start: 1. The car's vacuum booster pump is leaking or malfunctioning; 2. There are too many impurities in the brake master cylinder, the seal is not tight, the vacuum booster pump fails, or the brake oil is too dirty; 3. The brake oil mixed and used generates vapor lock after heating, the brake master cylinder or wheel cylinder leaks, or the air tank or pipeline interface leaks; 4. Improper operation causes mechanical failure. Correct braking methods: 1. When driving at low speed and encountering an emergency ahead, you can apply emergency braking by stepping on the brake pedal firmly; 2. When driving under normal road conditions, you can apply gentle braking by releasing the accelerator pedal while depressing the clutch pedal, shifting to a lower gear, and then lifting the clutch pedal after the speed decreases, followed by depressing the brake pedal until the car stops; 3. In situations where long downhill slopes in mountainous areas or continuous braking can easily generate high temperatures, intermittent braking by alternately depressing and releasing the brake pedal can effectively prevent the braking system from overheating.
My car has previously experienced the issue where the brake pedal couldn't be pressed down, making it impossible to start—it was really frustrating! The main problem was with the brake booster system. Modern cars require pressing the brake pedal to activate the anti-accidental start mechanism during startup. If the vacuum booster fails or there's a leak in the vacuum line, causing the brake to become stiff and unpressable, the car naturally won't start. I recommend first checking simple areas, such as whether any fuses are blown or if the brake fluid level is normal. If the problem persists, it might be due to a faulty booster pump or a ruptured vacuum hose. When driving, always pay attention to changes in brake pedal feel—if it starts feeling stiff, address it immediately to avoid delays that could lead to more expensive repairs. Safety comes first; if you notice such a malfunction, pull over right away and call for a professional tow truck to take the car to a repair shop. This approach saves hassle and minimizes risks.
