Q: Brake pressure drops with bumpy roads
For whatever reason, my 2011 Toyota Prius with only 50,000 miles on it cannot keep brake pressure when going over bumps. Now, once I knew to expect it, single bumps are ok. Bumpy roads, though, are terrifying. I never know how long it will take me to stop so I go very slow, giving Prius drivers everywhere a bad name. I need to fix this, pronto. What part is likely to be the culprit?
The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our
terms of service
for more details
Get an instant quote for your car
Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing
What others are asking
Brake calipers sticking and car hard to turn.
The front upper and lower ball joints may need to be replaced and causing the steering to bind. Also have the tie rod ends checked. The caliper pistons or the caliper slides are binding. The caliper will need to be...
Windshield wipers not working properly
The windshield wiper switch actually contains 3 switches internally which send a coded input to the wiper motor processing electronics in the wiper motor assembly defining the mode and speed at which the wipers operate. In the wiper motor assembly...
BAS/ESP light coming on
Your vehicle may be having an issue with the connections to the brake sensor. The connections may have corrosion which will make the system go into failure mode, intermittently causing the throttle to not respond. I recommend having your brake...
Car cranks but it won't start - 2003 Nissan Altima
Your symptoms suggest a problem with both camshaft and ignition timing (driven off the cam). Given your mileage, I would suspect a worn timing chain, chain guides, and the chain tensioner. It is also possible the timing chain was loose...
The car has good spark and fuel but won't fire up
Hi there: In most cases, the issue you're describing is typically caused by ignition coil (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ignition-coil-replacement), distributor rotor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/distributor-rotor-and-cap-replacement), or crankshaft position sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/crankshaft-position-sensor-replacement) that is faulty, damaged or has an electrical harness that is pinched or damaged. It could...
Coolant leaks as soon as I add it to the radiator tube while Car is off and cold.
Hi there. Look at the engine and try to locate where the fluid is coming out of. Most likely the coolant is leaking out of a heater hose next to the engine by the firewall. If the hoses are good...
My car pulls hard to the right during acceleration .
Hi there. Most of the time, when the car pulls to one side during acceleration, it is caused by either the suspension being out of alignment or what's referred to as a radial pull with the tire. Inside the tire...
car cranks but no start
Hi Ricardo. Thanks for sending in your question. If you've received all of these error codes, then there are two possibilities. First, that there are multiple component failures on your VW Passat, or the ECU is damaged in some way,...
Related articles
Why Do Brake Rotors Warp?
Brake rotors (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-rotor-disc-replacement) are the large metal discs visible behind the wheels of a car. These spin along with the wheels...
What Is Engine Braking?
Drivers can use engine braking to slow the speed of their engine and vehicle. Engine decompression helps your brakes last longer and car stop sooner.
2012 Toyota Corolla vs. 2012 Honda Civic: Which One Should I Buy?
Compact cars are the unsung heroes, slightly larger than a subcompact, but not quite big enough to be classified as a mid-size sedan. These vehicles have a small wheelbase of no longer than 109 inches with between 100 and 109...
Browse other content
Cities
Maintenance
Estimates