March 30, 2010
Why is my car hard to brake if not almost immpossible with the engine off,is this normal,96 Tercel?
My car is almost impossible to stop when the ignition is off,why is this?
I have a 96 Tercel and tried some goofy hypermiling technique called pulsing where you speed up then shut the car off and glide,then after you slow down you turn the car back on and repeat,stupid.I learned it is a good way to get yourself killed.
Well I tried it and after I turn the engine off the care would barely brake,why is this.
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Filed under Gas Conservation FAQ by on Mar 30th, 2010. Comment. 
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Comments on Why is my car hard to brake if not almost immpossible with the engine off,is this normal,96 Tercel?
You’re an idiot..You shouldn’t be allowed to drive.
When you turn your vehicle off, your electronics shut off as well: power steering, power brakes, in this case, you’re not getting any of that because your vehicle, isn’t on..
I’m surprised you didn’t kill someone.
your brake booster runs off a vacuum line from the engine. when the engine is turned off it removes the vacuum assist and you must apply the pressure yourself.
It is because your vehicle is equipped with power brakes. In older cars the brake pedals were very hard to push so car-makers decided to put a vaccuum operated diaphragm behind your master cylinder. Engines (except diesel) make a signifigant amount of vacuum when they are running, and that vacuum assists your braking. Without the vehicle running there is no vacuum and your brakes go back to the stone age! Imagine driving a car with brakes like that EVERY DAY! Just keep your car running when you are on the road and you should be fine. Hope that helps!
you have a power brake booster, this enhances the pedal pushing power, to make your brakes operate with much less effort, normally, when the engine stops, there is just enough residual vacuum, to be able to brake and slow the car as you pull off to the side, In order for what you are doing to work, you would have to really step hard on the brake pedal. There are some cars pulsing works better on than others, most cars with manual transmission, have manual brakes too, and work with the power on or off. On a car with an automatic, it is not all that great an idea to roll with no power pushing the fluid for the transmission .I watched a video on the guy who could get 50 miles per gallon, and while it worked, it seemed to me like there were some inherent safety risks, in the process that had the potential for a possible accident, and that there are some excessive wear on automotive parts yet to be determined.