Author Topic: Snatchy Brakes advice needed  (Read 15067 times)

guest4314

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Snatchy Brakes advice needed
« on: October 10, 2013, 02:22:58 PM »
Hi
I have a new Honda Jazz 1.4 EX and its a great little car BUT the brakes are something else...
The slightest application causes the front calipers to grab and this makes smooth progress during low speed manouvres impossible. They are like an on/off switch.
I have never experienced anything like this on any car I have owned, there is no way I can modulate the brakes short of tickling the pedal and this requires so much concentration it is actualy a distraction to normal driving.
Please don't say " they all do that "  ;D
If any one has any advice to reduce the grabiness I would love to hear it, as its a new car I have let it go on for a 1000 miles and done a few emergency stops to really bed the pads in but it has made no difference, the system just seems rediculously over servo'd ( assisted)

Mike

JazzyB

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Re: Snatchy Brakes advice needed
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2013, 02:36:43 PM »
As you say its a new car take it back to honda and get them to sort it

csp

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Re: Snatchy Brakes advice needed
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2013, 02:42:26 PM »
I found the brakes on my 2009 ES difficult to get used to and  did not notice a problem when I got my 2012 ES. The Emergency brake assist probably does not help. Ask the dealer to let you try another Jazz to compare with yours. If you are not happy then tell them there is a problem and they must sort it out, brakes are vital to driving safety.

bill ericay

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Re: Snatchy Brakes advice needed
« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2013, 04:23:16 PM »
I know you might not want to know this but......... my 2012 1.4 ES seemed like that when new , but after nearly a year I have either got used to it or the brakes have bedded in. Initially every time I touched the brakes they seemed to be coming full on, digital brakes either on or off, no in between !  I found the handbrake needed a lot of getting used to as well, but as I said earlier neither seems to be so much of a problem now.
If you are worried , as others have said ,go back to the dealer, that's what they are there for.
It's still a pretty good car  !
When I drive my wife's Micra the brakes feel like they're not going to work, but she has no problem with it !

guest4314

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Re: Snatchy Brakes advice needed
« Reply #4 on: October 11, 2013, 11:38:32 AM »
Thanks for the replies
I'm not saying the brakes are unsafe, just really tricky to modulate due to a rapid initial bite that bears no relationship to the pedal input.
A poster def got it right when they described them as digital --  on, off.
It is a good car as I said but the driving experience is significantly marred by the braking characteristics.
I am confident the dealer will report no fault as the brakes actually work.

Kenneve

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Re: Snatchy Brakes advice needed
« Reply #5 on: October 11, 2013, 03:44:16 PM »
Hi Mike 58

Have also just taken delivery of a new 1.4 EX, which is now my third EX since changing from a Landrover Freelander 1 some years ago. I have say that the brakes are no different from my previous Jazz cars. Yes, they are significantly more sensitive than the Freelander, but I soon got used to them and find them no problem at all now.
I suppose it's a case of what you are used to, certainly I prefer them now, knowing that the car will STOP when I want it to.

I remember in my much younger days, I once had a 1930 Morris Minor with cable brakes, which required almost your full weight on the pedal, in order to stop reasonably quickly, now that was hairy!!

I would submit, that in a couple of weeks time you will wonder what all the fuss was about.

Best regards.


guest2662

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Re: Snatchy Brakes advice needed
« Reply #6 on: October 12, 2013, 12:12:42 PM »
kenneve is spot on, mine were the same, I thought I would never get used to them, believe me you will given time.

John Ratsey

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Re: Snatchy Brakes advice needed
« Reply #7 on: October 12, 2013, 02:57:17 PM »
I'm another who found the brakes undesirably fierce at slow speed. It's something I have largely got used to but it still needs delicate control to bring the car to a smooth stop. It helps to wear thin-soled shoes.  ;D
2022 HR-V Elegance, previously 2020 Jazz Crosstar

guest4324

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Re: Snatchy Brakes advice needed
« Reply #8 on: October 18, 2013, 08:44:52 AM »
I also found this on my 2009 model with 40000 miles! I am now used to it and like another poster said, my first car was a MK2 ford escort and with 4 people in going down hill I was trying to push the pedal through to the road to get a bit more braking! That was scary!
 

guest4314

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Re: Snatchy Brakes advice needed
« Reply #9 on: November 26, 2013, 07:19:15 PM »
Well 2000 miles on and the brakes are no better, my wife is having to concentrate every time she brakes which is ruining the ownership experience for her.
I will take it back to the dealer but unless there is some magic fix that can totaly alter the feel of the brakes then its bye bye Jazz and trade in time

guest3920

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Re: Snatchy Brakes advice needed
« Reply #10 on: December 09, 2013, 11:12:00 AM »
We bought a brand new Jazz this year. Both my wife and I are finding the brakes unpleasant to say the least. This is our 15th car so we both know how to use a brake pedal (before any silly remarks), we have done 6000 miles and there is no improvement. Its that bad you tend to resist the need to use the brakes as firmly or quickly as you should - dangerous ! Not enjoying owning this car as much as I had hoped.
Going to speak to dealers but not confident of a good outcome.  :o


madasafish

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Re: Snatchy Brakes advice needed
« Reply #11 on: December 09, 2013, 12:18:01 PM »
Being an OAP but not yet ossified, I have modified my driving style to suit my brakes..

John Ratsey

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Re: Snatchy Brakes advice needed
« Reply #12 on: December 09, 2013, 09:47:34 PM »
Think of the brake pedal as being a deceleration control rather than a pedal where braking force is in proportion to the pressure on the pedal. I find that soft-soled shoes facilitates more delicate use of the brake pedal.
2022 HR-V Elegance, previously 2020 Jazz Crosstar

Jazzik

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Re: Snatchy Brakes advice needed
« Reply #13 on: December 09, 2013, 10:57:39 PM »
After more than four months we are still not quite used to the way our Jazz responds to the brake pedal.
One angry look at it and the Jazz throws the anchors...
If nothing goes right, go left!

guest4078

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Re: Snatchy Brakes advice needed
« Reply #14 on: December 10, 2013, 12:47:18 AM »
I find the brakes on our cars are very nice to use, progressive and nicely weighted, but they are an 05 and an 06. I used Mintex pads last change.
For those who find the brakes too sharp, why not try a different pad compound/maker, ask at a factors for a more progressive smoother pad.
It might change the car for the better for less than 50 quid.

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