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Braking Issue?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by enigma88, Dec 13, 2012.

  1. enigma88

    enigma88 Junior Member

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    I was approaching a red light at an intersection so I stepped on the brakes. Except when I stepped on them, it was like they were jammed and I couldn't depress the pedal, the car just skidded. I released my foot from the brake and had to apply the brakes a second time for the car to stop. What just happened? This is not the first time this has happened...the last time I actually skid into the intersection but either the light had not turned green yet or the other cars just waited for me to cross.

    Has this happened to anyone else? Thank you for your time!
     
    #1 enigma88, Dec 13, 2012
  2. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    Snow or ice on the road? Bumpy or glass smooth road? Other foot under the pedal? Pair of SUV floor mats on top of the factory mats? Give us some more info and someone will give you some sorta answer :)

    Mike [​IMG]
     
    #2 WE0H, Dec 14, 2012
  3. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Did you hear any chimes/beeps from the dash when this happened? Did you hit a sharp bump while braking?
     
    #3 spiderman, Dec 14, 2012
  4. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    Wet roads! man hole covers! all when lightly braking.
     
    #4 retired4999, Dec 14, 2012
  5. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    The big thing here is the OP said, "Except when I stepped on them, it was like they were jammed and I couldn't depress the pedal, the car just skidded
    ​
    This happened to me once. I was approaching a crosswalk that had a sharp ice berm just before it. I was lightly braking when I hit it and when I did, the pedal sank to the floor boards, there was a couple of beeps and the some light flashed on the dash (don't recall which) and basically I had no additional braking force until I lifted off and reapplied. Went into the crosswalk a bit. This was very different from the regen-friction crossover that I have felt many times. It has not occurred since.​
     
    #5 spiderman, Dec 14, 2012
  6. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    I see, I have never had that happen that way!
     
    #6 retired4999, Dec 14, 2012
  7. mad-dog-one

    mad-dog-one Prius Enthusiast

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    Seems like your brake is broke. I would drop it at the dealer with minimal driving until the brakes are working properly. Please let us know what you find.
     
    #7 mad-dog-one, Dec 14, 2012
  8. Chazz8

    Chazz8 Gadget Lover

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    Did you mean the car just rolled or were the tires locked and the car skidded?
    What were the road conditions?
    I assume the brake pedal was jammed at the top of its normal travel.
     
    #8 Chazz8, Dec 14, 2012
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    never.
     
    #9 bisco, Dec 14, 2012
  10. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    I remember this from a previous post. The Prius Master Brake cylinder may be the culprit. Have the dealer check it out. Pumping the brakes is the way to stop. The Prius braking system is a superior design with 3 fail safe breaking systems in one car.
     
    #10 JMD, Dec 14, 2012
  11. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    I'm surprised there's no light set if there's a problem with the brakes.
     
    #11 El Dobro, Dec 15, 2012
  12. chinito77

    chinito77 Member

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    I had that happen on my 2006 a few times. On my 2012, the only braking issue is the brakes themselves. The don't brake fast enough. It's like the car has so much momentum that it starts to slow down fast but I really have to step on it hard to come to a complete stop. I'm thinking of changing out the brakes for something ceramic like...
     
    #12 chinito77, Dec 15, 2012
  13. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    LOL, you need a parachute mate.
     
    #13 kithmo, Dec 16, 2012
    chrisj428 and chinito77 like this.
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