New Swift Vxi - brake pedals frozen before starting the engine.

I just bought the New Swift Vxi 2011 version.  I have been driving a Maruti 800 for long. I find that in the new Swift, the break pedals are so stiff before ignition and is so stiff that i have to depend on the parking brakes when the car is in the lock/acc/on postion. When the engine startes. the brake pedal eases out and is working perfectly fine. Is this the standard norm or is it something with the car i bought. Thanks in advance.

Dear Pratap,

It is completely normal. Modern cars come with booster assisted brakes. The boosters take vacuum from the engine and give you assistance, just like power steering does in the car. The Maruti 800 did not have such a system. Hence, the engine must be running in order to get a soft feel from the pedal. If the engine is off, brakes will still work, but they require higher effort, just like the steering wheel. Do not switch off the car when car is in motion. Brakes will not be as powerful as they are when engine is on. After switching off, you can operate the pedal around twice easily, but that depends upon the reserve power that is left. 

Thank you Sanshrinan. That was very helpful.

Hi All,

I have a strange problem with my new Swift(ZXI Petrol). I have got a steep parking. Sometimes between clutch , brake and accl , my engine gets off, at that time my brake's just get frozen and doesnt work at all. But I have to again press the clutch to get the car to stop. But then also the brakes are frozen only. But after I switch on the engine, the brake gets released.

I did refer this thread, but I feel that the brakes when frozen does not function at all. And I see it as very dangerous and you need to go for hand brakes. Have anybody of you experienced this.

Is it normal ?

And is this problem linked to ABS.

Regards

Srivaths

The situation 'appears' to be normal.

1. After you switch off, there will be reserve power left for one or two presses of the brake to say in simple words. 

2. If the braking is fine when engine is on, then there is no problem with the braking system in specific. However, the servo assistance system might be running short of vacuum or there could be a problem related to the servo. As the braking system is fine, even if you do not get servo assistance, you can brake, but that will require very hard press. Tried it on my ZDi and works fine. Just try it with greater effort. 

3. ABS motor is in idle state at low speeds and also, wont come into action in such cases. 

In the upcoming service inspection, jsut get the whole thing verified by the people there.