Noise when tapping brakes?

[PolkSDA]

My apologies if this is normal behavior, but my '03 Grand Am didn't exhibit this, and I'm always wary of unfamiliar noises when driving an unfamiliar vehicle.

This isn't audible with the windows up and the sound system on, but if I have the windows open I can hear it: whenever I tap the brakes, even with the transmission in Park, there is an audible "whoosh". It's hard to describe, a pneumatic or hydraulic-sounding "hiss". Repeated taps on the brakes confirm that it correlates to hitting the brake pedal.

Just normal power brake "assist" or something to be concerned about?

(That's the one aspect I *hate* about getting a new vehicle... the angst over what is normal and what isn't...)

Thanks.

 

[Natesriv]

hmmm odd. I would definately check the fluild level and make sure it's at MAX.

Does it stop alright? I would (in an empty parking lot) do a few medium speed hard stops (pedal to the floor)...the ABS should kick in and you'll feel the pedal vibrate.

 

[PolkSDA]

I took it to the dealer after work today. It turns out that what I'm hearing is the motor that assists the power brakes. It's a little servo or something. As I suspected, that's not how the brakes on my Grand Am worked, so that noise was completely foreign to me...

All's well that ends well.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

PolkSDA,

Glad it ended well.

Erica Tiffany
Chevrolet Customer Care