well i got to test drive another TC, This time the color i want, And i got to do it with out the sales guy, VERY COOL, Anyway, i noticed AGAIN, that the brakes Suck!

They felt just like the brakes i have on my car now, i was Really bummed out, esp when taking a Fast turn, the brakes just did not hold up like i Thought they would,

im a little bummed? Maybe its the pedal?

maybe im not used to the car, and this car needs more push on them to grip better?

any idea's?

was kinda bummed out about this today..

only downfall, i had with the car

 

Toyota brakes are on the softer side compared with other cars.

The pedal feel can be improved with stainless lines and stiffer calipers, but the only way to get stiffer calipers is with the big brake kit.

Initial bite can be improved just by changing the pads. Often performance can be improved just by changing the pads although pedal feel won't change much. Those are just a couple of small things which can be changed to improve performance.

 

Thanks : )

 

nah the tC's brakes are just fine its just that they are set to be more on the comfort side the the pedal has more travel to feel a bit smoother, it will stop fine if u want to u just neeed to use a lil more effort and press the pedal further down, PEACE

 

yea, just stomp and steer

 

I agree, they definitely do not suck!! They are set a little for the comfort side, but a lot better than some of the new cars I have driven. Just give em some pressure and they are great. They definitely saved my a$$ a while back!

 

I noticed that on my test drive as well. Not flaming the tC but the brakes probably are the one thing Toyota may have skimped on. Nothing a big brake kit won't help though. I am comparing them to my stock 1.8t GTI brakes I am driving now.

 

They're good enough for me, could be a little firmer but I'm satisfied. My Father-in-Law has an '05 Rav4 and that thing's brakes are super touchy. Hit it's brake pedal with a firm amount of pressure and it'll throw you through the windshield. I always allow plenty of room between me and the guy in front of me so the tC's suit my needs.

 

I drive like a jackass and AutoX my tC once a month. So far no accidents, no cones, and no DNF's. Brakes work just fine for me. I just hate the ABS sensitivity.

 

^^^

 

No offense, but try a couple GM cars, you will see what "soft" breaks are like, in particular, try Chevy Impela.

 

yeah them vw brakes are known to be quite good

 

Brakes are a very subjective thing. What works for one person may not work for another person. Activating abs does not mean bad brakes. It just means that your wheels are about to lock up. If your wheels are about to lock up, it means that your brakes performing.

I'm not sure where this misconception comes from where if abs is activated, the brakes aren't working.

 

The only major complaint I have about my tC's brakes is that - when they're wet - it's like I have no brakes for a few seconds until they finally grab. That sucks!

(I'm no teenager here, gang. I've owned quite a few cars, including other Toyotas, and have never had this feeling before.)

 

I know what you mean. My 96 Jetta 2.sl0w felt the same way. I guess I never think of it in my tC because I'm used to it...

 

If they stop. There fine HA! Unless you plan on making turns and braking really hard then i can see where you are coming from. But not buying a car because the brakes feel wierd...just wierd in itself. They felt fine to me they stopped when i wanted them to i was happy with that. Just upgrade the brake pads after you buy the car, no biggy.

 

Like the engine, it's all about how you break them in.... from the time I took delivery of my tC (with 2 miles) I drove it EXACTLY like I would have if it were 12,000 miles old. As for the brakes, I didn't "baby" them like the manual recommends..... I even had to slam on my brakes a couple of times on the freeway inside of the 200 miles. People that complain about soft brakes on the tC have tested mine, and they've reported a HUGH difference... that mine grab much easier and that the car stops a lot faster than theirs.

anyway, just my bit of input

 

What you stated is much like our break in/ bed in Procedure. See this link for all the details on how to do the procedure.

http://www.stoptech.com/whitepapers/bedincontents.htm

 

ABS starts to activate when the wheels start to lock up.. it's not a sensitivity thing, its a tire thing. The tires on the tC are not the best in the world, so they begin to break loose early, causing the abs to start working. I am still on the stock tires and know this feeling. I have also seen it on other vehicles. Slap on some grippy rubber and you will see the difference.

 

all toyota brakes are like that, you have to press it down slightly before it works. I think its perfect for a smooth gentle stop.