takes too much brake pressure to stop car

[tildenst]

I have driven my 2006 Lucerne V8 for about 95k miles. It has always seemed to me to take too much brake pressure to stop the car, as if the engine is still driving it forward even though my foot is on the brake. (And no, I don't drive with two feet!). I notice as well that it picks up more speed going downhill than any other car I've driven. Have to stand on the brakes at a stop light. Dealer checked it out while still in warranty and found nothing wrong.

[Tech II]

Was this a GM Dealer? Did they let you try a similar car on the lot?

One thing to try.....CAREFULLY, as you slow down, shift into neutral, and apply the brakes.....any difference?

PS......have you pulled the wheels and checked the rotors and pads?

Is your ABS light on?

[MikeCStig]

I think what you have is just a really heavy car with crappy brake pads. That doesn't mean worn out pads, just not good enough from the beginning. Get your brake pads changed and get the best brake pads you can. Also, have your rotors checked while they're installing the brake pads.

[tildenst]

Originally Posted by Tech II

Was this a GM Dealer? Did they let you try a similar car on the lot?

One thing to try.....CAREFULLY, as you slow down, shift into neutral, and apply the brakes.....any difference?

PS......have you pulled the wheels and checked the rotors and pads?

Is your ABS light on?

Yes. It was a dealer who checked it out. No they didn't have another Lucerne to compare it to.
I did the test where I take it out of gear and it makes a big difference.
I also noticed that the car will idle up a grade.
The brakes were replaced with good quality pads and new rotors. No ABS light.

[Crvett69]

its posible your brake power booster is not getting enough vaccum to it or its defective. one way to see if its working is shut the car off, apply the brakes 3 or 4 times to bleed the vacuum in the booster off. then with your foot pushing on the pedal start the car, the pedal should drop another 1/2-1". if it drops there might still be another issue but its probably getting enough vacuum. also if your car is idling up a hill your idle may be set to high

[polarzak]

Originally Posted by MikeCStig

I think what you have is just a really heavy car with crappy brake pads. That doesn't mean worn out pads, just not good enough from the beginning. Get your brake pads changed and get the best brake pads you can. Also, have your rotors checked while they're installing the brake pads.

GM has upgraded the pads for the Lucerne. I believe these are the newer ones. Just ask the dealer for the upgraded pads, and not the original pads.
No need ot go buy some expensive designer pads.

ACDelco 171-0985 OE Service Front Disc Brake Pad Kit

ACDelco 171-0954 OE Service Rear Disc Brake Pad Kit

The pads may help. My wife drives the Lucerne now, but if I recall it would inch forward on "slight" upgrades. That said, if yours is literally climbing a hill in idle, then you have a problem. Unfortunately you can't turn a screw on the carb, and reduce the idle...no carb so it is a dealer flash item. Put your car in Park and let me know what the idle RPM is, and then in Drive, and what the RPM idle is and I will compare it with mine. Maybe we can narrow this down. It might be a leak at the booster as crvett69 has suggested.

[Tech II]

If your car will idle up a grade, then your idle is too high.....and when applying the brakes, it's like applying the gas at the same time.......check for crud in the throttle plate that may be keeping the plate slightly open....