So the other day I tried to start my car, but it wouldn't start. I mean, nothing when I pressed the start button. Then I noticed that the brake pedal felt stiff. It was very hard to press the pedal down. So I applied a lot more pressure to the brake pedal, and the car started. Haven't been able to duplicate this. Anyone know what might have happened???

 

Happened to me once two, felt like my brakes were locked, was fine after the car warmed up, I'd be interested as well why this might happen.

 

you pump the brakes after you turn the car off causing it to do that

 

Interesting,thanks for the heads up

 

you probably used the brake to turn off the car (muscle memory and what not). It only happened to me once. simple fix, and now that you know it shoudnt really happen again.

 

Happened to me once too; freaked me out. It was a one-time occurance and has not happened again. In my instance, it happened right after a brief stop at Sams Club. Didn't do a single thing different than I would normally.

 

I'll have to try to reproduce it. Thanks!

 

I'll have to try this too...

 

So when the car is off, and you press the brake pedal 4-5 times, it will get harder and harder to press each time until it feels like the pedal is completely pressed down...So that is probably what happened. Anyone know why this happens??

Have a great weekend!

 

when the car is on, engine vacuum adds force to the brake pedal via the brake booster