Feeling bored, want something to do this evening or tomorrow?

I would be pleased if you can try this little test when you have a moment.

With the engine running at idle rpm and whilst parked up, pump the break pedal a couple/few times till really firm and then keep hard pressure continuously on the brake pedal over several minutes.

Does the pedal creep to the floor ? Mine does.

Usual break / MOT tests are all ok i.e.

a) Engine off, pump pedal to release vacuum and hold. No creep detected.
b) Keeping pedal depressed, start engine. Pedal should depress as vacuum/servo cuts in.
c) Release pedal and turn engine off and wait 15 to 30 seconds
d) Pump break pedal (engine off as per (c) ) and a hiss (vacuum release) should be heard as the pedal depresses. Even pump cylces after that the hiss should get less, the pedal depress less and finally go firm after 3 or 4 pedal strokes.

My Croma passes all the (a) to (b) tests above but with the ignition on and engine running idle creep test the pedal will eventually creep to the floor.

I've not yet tried suitable test with just the ignition on.

Now the Croma has "hill hold" and my sloping drive often causes this to come into action and when it does I've noticed huge changes in break pedal feel/response.

I'm beginning to think that this creep is a function of the ABS/Break unit/system and not an issue but I am interested into what other people find becuase if there is an issue I want it sorted before my 3 year warranty is up.

I think this is a feature of brake assist, I noticed it in other cars I have owned, when braking really hard in an emergency the car can take over braking for you, and what happens is the brake pedal will go to the floor. Not had occasion to use it yet in the croma.

Interesting. Emergency Brake Assist is not something I had considered. Lets see what others find / come up with.

The things I do for this forum...

Ours does exactly the same. Slowly creeps to the floor from a stiff pedal with the engine at idle.

Haven't tried mine yet (but haven't tried doing this in a previous car either).

Just in case it's the Hill Start Assist, I believe this only works if it's in 1st going uphill or reverse when pointing downhill.

If it does this when in neutral then, theoretically, it's something else making it happen.

Just another thought - do the pedals retract in an accident? Just wondering if this is a factor.

No it doesn't move under it's own steam... with the weight of your foot on it.


It goes solid with pumping then slowly creeps to the floor.

Well I'm really pleased others are finding this. I don't think I've ever read/heard of this behaviour anywhere and wonder if dealer technicians aware of this? Normal break system tests would not reveal this behaviour unless you did the sad thing I did and press the pedal after pumping down for a long, long time.

I'll have a try of the Bravo next time I'm in it.

It could be caused by the type of seal on the master cylinder piston. It may not be a cup seal but a soft round seal that from my experience does give the effect you are finding.

Yep...mine too. Rarely sit with my foot on the brake though, tend to stick in 'park' instead. One effect I have noticed is that the 'Hill holder' (in Lincolnshire...) doesn't engage if I only use light pressure on the brake pedal - could it be possible that there's a bleed from the master cylinder to engage the Hill holder, but it only comes into effect if the brake is applied firmly when stationary?

Far too complicated

I have this on my Multipla and I noticed it after a pad disc change.
It was scaring me so I changed the master cyclinder.
Still creeps down.
So this is normal ?
I had never noticed it before.

From everything I see posted here and many subsequent tests by me then this creep with the engine idling is NORMAL ......

IF the Usual break / MOT tests are all ok i.e.

a) Engine off, pump pedal to release vacuum and hold. No creep detected.
b) Keeping pedal depressed, start engine. Pedal should depress as vacuum/servo cuts in.
c) Release pedal and turn engine off and wait 15 to 30 seconds
d) Pump break pedal (engine off as per (c) ) and a hiss (vacuum release) should be heard as the pedal depresses. Even pump cylces after that the hiss should get less, the pedal depress less and finally go firm after 3 or 4 pedal strokes.

Hope you kept your old servo as there was probably nothing wrong with it.

few years ago i had a bmw 7 series and it did just as you described. was told by the dealer this was normal-yet it felt worrying sitting at junctions foot on brake and the pedal dropping away

s130 said:

Feeling bored, want something to do this evening or tomorrow?

I would be pleased if you can try this little test when you have a moment.

With the engine running at idle rpm and whilst parked up, pump the break pedal a couple/few times till really firm and then keep hard pressure continuously on the brake pedal over several minutes.

Does the pedal creep to the floor ? Mine does.

Click to expand...

Well b*gg*r me, it does doesn't it?

Usually stick it in neutral and apply handbrake so never noticed this before.