Brakes

I have a 2001 Civic LX. Tonight when I used the car I noticed I had to press down harder to get the car to slow down. What could this be? I am hoping to get a new car in the next few months but I hope I this car will last. I have close to 150000 miles on it. I have not used it much in the last few years but now use it almost every day the last month.

Sounds like your brakes need a service.

If its been parked up for "a few years" it might need new fluid.

I just checked and there is plenty of fluid. It has been a long time in years since i added fluid but not a long time in miles.

How do you like the civic hatch? I was thinking of getting the ex-l hatch or sedan

How old is that brake fluid? If it is older than 2 years, I would suggest flushing it with fresh fluid.
Check your pads and the thickness left. As the pad goes down, the caliper piston extends further. This sometimes provides a little change in pedal distance.
Check for leaks in the slave cylinder and make sure all your lines are good.

I would start there first.

Yes more than 2 years, brake pads are good they were checked less than 1000 miles ago. I really don't want to put 1 more dollar into this car.

JoeShades said:

I just checked and there is plenty of fluid. It has been a long time in years since i added fluid but not a long time in miles.

How do you like the civic hatch? I was thinking of getting the ex-l hatch or sedan

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Water can get into the fluid and cause this issue, thats why it would be a good idea to change the fluid. Still thats your call.

Do I like my LX Hatchback?, I think I would have to say its the best car I have had in a long while. Its comfortable, economical, responsive and quick enough to keep you interested.
I drove the Sedan as a loan car, presumably the base model with a 2.0. It didn't suit me. I like the feel of the turbo.

When I had a car that had mushy brakes I would go on an empty road or parking lot. Go up to decent speed 25ish or 20ish and slam hard on brakes, floor it. Do it like 2 times it fixed my issue, I saw ericthecarguy recommended it for mushy brakes.

JoeShades said:

Yes more than 2 years, brake pads are good they were checked less than 1000 miles ago. I really don't want to put 1 more dollar into this car.

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brake fluid is super cheap. You don't need that much to just bleed. If you have a friend bleeding the brakes isn't too hard, there are videos on youtube about the 2-person method.

JoeShades said:

Yes more than 2 years, brake pads are good they were checked less than 1000 miles ago. I really don't want to put 1 more dollar into this car.

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1 Liter of Prestone DOT3 is like $5 at walmart...

You rather jeopardize your braking ability for $5?

No I would do that, I just don't to take it to the dealer and get charged a ridiculous amount for service.

JoeShades said:

No I would do that, I just don't to take it to the dealer and get charged a ridiculous amount for service.

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Gravity bleed it.

I have one of these check-valve brake bleeders.

It allows for a one-man bleeding process without having someone opening and closing the bleeder valve. It makes a hell of a lot easier to flush brake fluid. It should work on a civic as well since its just a clear tube.

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-...bleeder-bottle-with-check-valve-simple-bleed/

derbo904 said:

I have one of these check-valve brake bleeders.

It allows for a one-man bleeding process without having someone opening and closing the bleeder valve. It makes a hell of a lot easier to flush brake fluid. It should work on a civic as well since its just a clear tube.

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-...bleeder-bottle-with-check-valve-simple-bleed/

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I have the same and it is what I used to gravity bleed it. Would be worth it to use aircraft gasket sealer around the threads to prevent air to go through them.

Thanks for the advice, usually my car is in the garage, but lately it has been sitting in the heat for 9 hours a day for a few weeks, could that be causing problems? along with suddenly being driven more?

JoeShades said:

Thanks for the advice, usually my car is in the garage, but lately it has been sitting in the heat for 9 hours a day for a few weeks, could that be causing problems? along with suddenly being driven more?

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Here's a little more info for you.
https://www.cars.com/articles/can-brake-fluid-go-bad-1420676929212/