Difficulty braking
Discussion
Hi,
Firstly, new user and first post!
I have an issue braking, either car or my technique.
I'm driving a vauxhall zafira tourer C, 64 plate. Cars in good condition, ex motobilility, and 4 different tread pattern and brand tyres, paid for by the state.
The problem I'm having is lack of brake when braking. I'm using the same foot pivot technique with all pedals, and gradually increasing brake pressure. However, my foot is pivoted as far as I can and I'm not able to brake quickly enough. Can't even get ABS to activate.
My work around is to press the pedal as I would on a leg press, but the pedal goes to the floor before I'm at maximum braking power. I'm getting smother and more controlled braking this way, but it's not right. ABS will activate if I am heavy footed, so I know that works.
This issue has stated about a month ago, however when driven by my father, there's no issue at all. He says brakes are fine.
I'm perfectly fine on the gas and clutch though, and when I got the car, and test drove, I had no issue with the brake, this seems to have developed.
Brake fluid ok, pads about half worn, discs ok. No visable leaking or damage.
I'm rather perplexed by this.
It's either me or the car. I can't see the designer thinking that the gas and clutch be smooth and responsive to operate andrequire a gental operator; yet the brakes require a stampede of elephants to function!
Cheers
Scott
Firstly, new user and first post!
I have an issue braking, either car or my technique.
I'm driving a vauxhall zafira tourer C, 64 plate. Cars in good condition, ex motobilility, and 4 different tread pattern and brand tyres, paid for by the state.
The problem I'm having is lack of brake when braking. I'm using the same foot pivot technique with all pedals, and gradually increasing brake pressure. However, my foot is pivoted as far as I can and I'm not able to brake quickly enough. Can't even get ABS to activate.
My work around is to press the pedal as I would on a leg press, but the pedal goes to the floor before I'm at maximum braking power. I'm getting smother and more controlled braking this way, but it's not right. ABS will activate if I am heavy footed, so I know that works.
This issue has stated about a month ago, however when driven by my father, there's no issue at all. He says brakes are fine.
I'm perfectly fine on the gas and clutch though, and when I got the car, and test drove, I had no issue with the brake, this seems to have developed.
Brake fluid ok, pads about half worn, discs ok. No visable leaking or damage.
I'm rather perplexed by this.
It's either me or the car. I can't see the designer thinking that the gas and clutch be smooth and responsive to operate andrequire a gental operator; yet the brakes require a stampede of elephants to function!
Cheers
Scott
Find out from whoever you bought car from if any "mobility" parts have been correctly removed, and car back to "factory" settings for pedals/steering
Get a trusted garage to check your brakes ASAP. Yours and others peoples lives could depend on it
Why has it got 4 different tyres on it?
Ideally you should have same make tyre and tread pattern on the same axle, the tyres should also have the same depth of tread so as to provide best grip in an emergency braking situation, or to help that situation happening in the first place.
Once front tyres are the same you may also notice that it steers better as well.
If you do buy new tyres, buy the best you can afford....cheap tyres do not last as long, may not brake to a stop as well, and whoever decided to put 4 different tyres on a car is a knob!
Get a trusted garage to check your brakes ASAP. Yours and others peoples lives could depend on it
Why has it got 4 different tyres on it?
Ideally you should have same make tyre and tread pattern on the same axle, the tyres should also have the same depth of tread so as to provide best grip in an emergency braking situation, or to help that situation happening in the first place.
Once front tyres are the same you may also notice that it steers better as well.
If you do buy new tyres, buy the best you can afford....cheap tyres do not last as long, may not brake to a stop as well, and whoever decided to put 4 different tyres on a car is a knob!
HustleRussell said:
It should not be possible to push the pedal to the floor. Sounds like it's the car, not you.
I've always found Vauxhall brakes to be very eagerly assisted.
Being Motability, does it have any adaptations which may complicate diagnosis?
I would second this, I have a Zafira C and the brake servo is strong, has the vehicle been anywhere near a car wash with a 'wax and wash' service - was wondering if your disks are either contaminated or perhaps glazed?I've always found Vauxhall brakes to be very eagerly assisted.
Being Motability, does it have any adaptations which may complicate diagnosis?
Thanks for the replies folks.
Can't see much on my phone so I'll reply best I can.
The car was from pentagon vauxhall Derby, full history and no modifications. The tyres were all fitted by the same garage in South Wales, no idea why all different, all in good condition though. Not ideal, but come October time I'll be putting a set of goodyear vector 4 season tyres on. Had those on my civic and were fantastic in our pitiful snow.
I am a relatively new driver, however been on motorbikes for several years prior, just can't take a large do to an emergency vet on a little bike.
I noticed today that there is a slight squeel from the front right disc on braking, and it continues for a few seconds after releasing the brake.
As above, when I got the car the brakes were wonderful, I do up to 200miles a week in the peak district but I doubt enough to wear brakes that much.
I've got a 12 month warranty with it, so I'll try to get any work covered by that.
Cheers
Can't see much on my phone so I'll reply best I can.
The car was from pentagon vauxhall Derby, full history and no modifications. The tyres were all fitted by the same garage in South Wales, no idea why all different, all in good condition though. Not ideal, but come October time I'll be putting a set of goodyear vector 4 season tyres on. Had those on my civic and were fantastic in our pitiful snow.
I am a relatively new driver, however been on motorbikes for several years prior, just can't take a large do to an emergency vet on a little bike.
I noticed today that there is a slight squeel from the front right disc on braking, and it continues for a few seconds after releasing the brake.
As above, when I got the car the brakes were wonderful, I do up to 200miles a week in the peak district but I doubt enough to wear brakes that much.
I've got a 12 month warranty with it, so I'll try to get any work covered by that.
Cheers
Pericoloso said:
G went missing in dog.
Large do.
Op ,have you had your brakes PROPERLY inspected yet ?
Pentagon is checking the brakes. Fri next week was earliest. Large do.
Op ,have you had your brakes PROPERLY inspected yet ?
I don't need to travel bar two days which I have alternate transportation anyhow.
My phone autocorrect is naff. Keeps telling the other half that I love Sue...
So I apologise if things have weird typos.
Cheers
Jaetten said:
My phone autocorrect is naff. Keeps telling the other half that I love Sue...
I’d be very interested to hear whether the brake pedal is actually going to the floor. Ineffective brakes is bad enough but if the pedal is going to the floor it suggests a critical safety issue.
So here's a thought OP... have you ever tried an emergency stop? If not I urge you to go and practice some real braking. Get the ABS to come on or the wheels to lock. With respect, if you couldn't tell that your brakes were buggered when the pedal went to the floor, you need some help.
So get out there and practice some proper braking.
Now of course, you need to take care with this exercise.
Do it in a straight line
Do it with noone else about
Do it on a road with plenty of space
Build up to it with firmer and firmer braking
But get on it. Otherwise when you need to stop quickly, you'll be s
t at it and then it's too late 
HTH
Bert
So get out there and practice some proper braking.
Now of course, you need to take care with this exercise.
Do it in a straight line
Do it with noone else about
Do it on a road with plenty of space
Build up to it with firmer and firmer braking
But get on it. Otherwise when you need to stop quickly, you'll be s
t at it and then it's too late HTH
Bert
BertBert said:
So here's a thought OP... have you ever tried an emergency stop? If not I urge you to go and practice some real braking. Get the ABS to come on or the wheels to lock. With respect, if you couldn't tell that your brakes were buggered when the pedal went to the floor, you need some help.
So get out there and practice some proper braking.
Now of course, you need to take care with this exercise.
Do it in a straight line
Do it with noone else about
Do it on a road with plenty of space
Build up to it with firmer and firmer braking
But get on it. Otherwise when you need to stop quickly, you'll be st at it and then it's too late
HTH
Bert
I would agree, but with one proviso - don’t do this if you have a black-box fitted!So get out there and practice some proper braking.
Now of course, you need to take care with this exercise.
Do it in a straight line
Do it with noone else about
Do it on a road with plenty of space
Build up to it with firmer and firmer braking
But get on it. Otherwise when you need to stop quickly, you'll be s
t at it and then it's too late HTH
Bert
Jaetten said:
Can't even get ABS to activate.
<snip>
ABS will activate if I am heavy footed, so I know that works.
You seem to contradict yourself. Given the above it sounds like technique to me or the servo of the cars braking system doesn't support you given your situation and the range of pressure you can apply controllably. <snip>
ABS will activate if I am heavy footed, so I know that works.
Pica-Pica said:
I would agree, but with one proviso - don’t do this if you have a black-box fitted!
Ergo physically stationary, yet it picks up hard braking.
Box is always right though, limitations of the box. I dread to think what they say I'm doing come mot and service.
BertBert said:
Did you work out how the box picked up hard braking? It'd have to be able to monitor brake pressure and know what high pressure looked like.
Bert
I initially thought, after speaking with my insurer that it had som form of gyroscope that picks up harsh acceleration braking and cornering.Bert
It detects speedy GPS which is naff in hilly areas.
But now I'm not sure. I doubt it's connected to the ecu. I don't even think we have those boxes in the UK.
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