Now you're talking corner cases. Call 911.

 

I know how you can fix this just sell it and move on.

 

I am guessing you are referring to an event that happens outside of normal parameters and not one of these?



Maybe 411 would be better than 911.

 

It's interesting to me that some auto enthusiasts fail to recognize how critical reliable brake functionality is, particularly for a daily driver that might sometimes be driven by non-enthusiasts in the real world.

I always warm mine up. But I was late to pick up my kid from the bus stop (he's in Kindergarten so the driver won't drop him off unless I am there.) I was so caught up in other stuff that I forgot to warm up the vehicle, and ended up sailing into the middle of an intersection due to the brakes not working. I was lucky that there wasn't anyone else in the intersection at the same time. I could easily have been t-boned at 45 mph. That really opened my eyes to fact that even if you intend to warm it up, everyone is likely to forget sometimes.

Is it really a corner case that a driver assume their brakes work without remembering EVERY time they drive? I don't have to worry that the brakes won't work on my Honda or my Subaru if I forget to idle long enough. Come to think of it, I have never owned a vehicle before where worrying about braking functionality was a daily affair. It's laughable to even suggest it's marginally acceptable. I sure wouldn't have bought it if I had known braking was optional.

"Sure you can test drive it. Just wait a few minutes until the vacuum builds up, so your test drive doesn't come to an unintended abrupt stop." I hope they'll fix it, because I'd eat a huge loss having to sell it, particularly in these economic times. That's why I was planning to keep it for a good while. Maybe if we're really lucky GM will do something other than try to define double stopping distance as normal.

 

Apparently you don't.

No... the corner case was your soap opera script below...

It's a legitimate use case, but still a corner. I hope you also don't forget to turn on your headlights, or signal, or accidentally swerve into oncoming traffic in all that haste. All legitimate scenarios you can add to your story above, and none related to low brake vacuum at startup... but that can still injure you or others. Blame GM? Or call 911?

Well played!

 

For those that love their SS and want to keep it, use the known remedy until a permanent fix is made. If you can't wait, then throw your states lemon law out there. The Saturn and Pontiac fixes are available on a limited basis through GM technical assistance to the respective dealers and soon the kits will be available to all owners. The HHR still does not have a kit available and nobody is saying when it will be.

I see my fair share of SSs and have yet to have a customer make this complaint. Why? I wish I knew that one. But to the ones that are affected your choice is to wait it out or arbitrate.

 

Neb

Please don't take this the wrong way but your just one of over 5000 SS owners. We all have the same problem not counting the othe GM turbo cars.

All of us are dealing with it fairly well considering.

The going on of the problem to us is getting a little old as we are in the same boat here. It is kind of like the one legged guy complaining to another one legged guy he misses his leg and can walk like he wants to walk.

If you want to dwell on this it is best to direct this to GM as they are the ones who need to address this. It may really help!

Getting a little overly dramatic may have an effect on them but with us it has little effect anymore.

We all might die on our way to work in any vehicle in a crash but it is something we deal with.

While the problem is not good it is something that can and is overcome by the many owners daily. If we are coping I am sure you can join us. It is not like were are losing SS owners weekly here.

I would think if I had one terrifiying case as you I would be instilled to remember the problem alittle better.

If you have something new to share please share it as I hope anyone would. I am sure Chevy Mgr will be the first to break the news when a fix is availible. But rehashing the same stuff over and over here is not going to fix the problem or get much sympathy here anymore.

It is what it is. Were all holding the cards were were delt and playing them come join our game till the fix arrives!

 

Cold fact but the truth!

 

I think we're all more concentrating on how to go fast as opposed to stopping....

 

Yep...It's not like any well kept secret at this point. Wait just a bit after cold start-up before you go. We have NEVER failed to do this. Once you get Hard Pedal Surprise the process gets built into your noodle.

I read a bunch of "I nearly hit" which could easily be Internet hype. The pedal might be hard without the booster but the car still stops.

Swapping the car for another will yield the same result.