Hi guys Would like to get some info regarding the brake pedal on my Prius. When it is completely turned off the brake pedal doesn't build any pressure. In previous cars I have had the brake pedal would build pressure and then release that pressure when the ignition was started. My pedal only has ever so slight pressure and is able to go all the way down to the pedal stop. Is this normal or could it be something wrong? I have a Toyota Warranty until Jan 2014 so was thinking about taking it in for a free health check. If there was something wrong with my brakes then it'd get done under warranty before it runs out Cheers chaps Turn off signatures in Tapatalk Tapatalk
What you describe is a characteristic of a vacuum brake booster which is not used in a Prius. Prius uses a gas- charged hydraulic accumulator -- which was the subject of the early-production GenIII recall.
Hi Martin, This is normal for the Prius as it has a brake pedal stroke simulator effectively built on top of the hydraulic brakes. This is so that the pedal feels like a normal hydraulic pedal while you are using regen braking. As well as this the Prius does not use vacuum "servo" assist brakes as the engine does not run all the time. It uses an electric fluid pump that pushes fluid into a pressure bottle. This pressure is released to give a servo effect when using the hydraulic brakes. John (Britprius)
when i open the drivers door, the brake accumulator kicks in. by the time i sit and put my foot on the brake, it feels normal. yours should too.
Chaps, as always many thanks for the replies and the reassurance. Panic over! Lol! I may just take it for a health check anyway as my warranty is running out so would be a good way of finding any potential issues and getting them done under warranty, what do you guys reckon?! Turn off signatures in Tapatalk Tapatalk
