All

Not driven the FL2 for a week or so but when I went out today the brakes seem to require more than normal pressure to haul her up. It almost seems like the brake assist / servo isn't working properly and the pedal feels soft. Can't imagine it needs pads etc as is a 2009 with 16k on it.

Anyone had anything similar? The missus - SD4 HSE - Black - 2012
Me - BMW 330d Saloon - Black - 2011

If it was a Servo problem you tend to get a hard pedal requiring a lot of pressure to to get any braking, similar to having put a brick under the pedal

I havent driven mine for about two weeks until today, same sort of thing but after working the brakes gently a few times it was all ok. Thick it might be an acumaltion of ice on the discs, rust or both

yeh will have to keep an eye on it this week, thanks The missus - SD4 HSE - Black - 2012
Me - BMW 330d Saloon - Black - 2011

I had the same problem today. Guessing that air might have got into the system due to freezing and thawing. It does improve once you get going but the initial dab on the brakes was a little scary

Had the same thing tonight, pressed the peddle and nothing car just kept on going, got out on an open stretch of road and tried the peddle two or three times quite hard and all was back to normal. I have noticed on the last couple of occasions a thud when pulling away, just thought it might have been the pads sticking on. Will have a good look at the rear discs and pads tomorrow

In this weather, with lots of snow/humidity, there is a lot of water that will be around wheels.
After stoping the car, the snow is slowly melting and reach the warm calipers/brake disks in a liquid state.
After a while this water freezes around calipers, brake disks and brake pads forming a "solid block film".
At first pulling away, the thud is because the freezing adhesion between brake pads and brake disks is broken.
Also first few brakes seems to be inefficient because of the still "uncrushed" ice film between the moving parts of the brake calipers.
I hope that I was clear enough explaining it... Sometimes I'm not so good with English...

I had this just today with my hand brake, pulled the brake on while on an incline (My drive) and for a nervous 2 or 3 seconds while the car set off down the drive, absolutely no brake at all (was ready on the foot brake 'oh he of little faith' ) but then a solid lock up of the hand brake - I'm guessing as Alex says ice formed on the hand brake shoes which are not used during normal braking.

All this "soft brakes" happens all four seasons. As Alex reports ice, snow, rain, plus, sludge and after the car wash (polish on the discs). All resolved and back to normal very efficient braking after a couple of firm applications of the brakes.

athelstan wrote:

All this "soft brakes" happens all four seasons. As Alex reports ice, snow, rain, plus, sludge and after the car wash (polish on the discs). All resolved and back to normal very efficient braking after a couple of firm applications of the brakes.

This was noticably different, but I tend to agree that ice is the culptit. By the way, I also thought that I had reversed over something coming out of the drive as the sensors kicked in due to ice/crud having activated them

Not unlike drying the brakes after you've been wading or through a deep puddle.

If it doesn't go away after a few firm brakings there might be air in the braking system. Better be checked by dealer then. 2010 Freelander 2 Select TD4 auto....gone
2011 Freelander 2 TD4 auto ...current

i've had this twice over the xmas period

both days were after low temp and fog, first time i pulled out of my property and nearly over shot a give way up the road as there was very little there in the way of braking force

the second time i tested the breaks before the junction

very strange i have never had this before in last years snow, or anytime on my first FL2 Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Last 2 days I have also experienced a soft brake pedal when the car has been sitting overnight. Had no problems at all during the snow or when the overnight temperature was down to -11 but the last 2 nights temp only around freezing but with thick damp fog lingering around all night, so possibly moisture on the discs.

Car has only done 5000 miles so if the problem persists I will be paying a visit to the Dealer.

It's actually corrosion that causes this and the poor pedal feel, let alone the feeling of not stopping. Just hit the pedal a few times and they will be back to normal. Happens with all makes of cars.