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2002 Nissan Altima Base 4dr Sedan Manual

2002 Nissan Altima
Trim Info:
Front Wheel Drive, 4 Door Sedan, Compact
23 mpg city / 29 mpg hwy
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January 28, 2013, 2:48 pm

Bonita M
 

Question: Question about the brakes

I live in Chicago. A few days back when I went to start my car, the brake pad was very hard to press down. It corrected itself the following day, but I was afraid to drive it, fearing that I would not be able to brake properly. What could be the problem?


February 9, 2013, 9:19 am

Elizabeth K
Expert Mechanic

The power-assist in your brake system runs on vacuum. If you were to step on the brake pedal after the engine was shut off, you would notice that after the first couple of pushes, the pedal would get gradually stiffer. That is normal. When the engine is running again, the pedal would once again get easy to push.

If the pedal is hard after the engine has been running for a few seconds, then have the vacuum line and the brake booster inspected. If there is only a problem after the engine has been shut off for a while (and that is a new development) then you may have a slow leak in the brake booster.


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