During normal brake action, I find that there's an "empty" travel of the pedal (by empty, I mean, when the pedal is depressed, but no feel of brake engagement), short, but definitely noticeable. Continuing to depress the pedal, the brake would engage, and car would slow or stop effectively.

Maybe this is a feature on the Mazda3, if you also noticed it, please confirm. Thanks.

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i havent noticed this, but ive been driving on aftermarket brake pads for over a year now. however, i dont recall 'dead zone' with the stock pads.

 

i read somewhere that when the brakes are pressed lightly, the reponse would be very slight on the brake system. the driver would basically know (by that i mean the driver could feel the brakes kick in), but it wouldn't really put enough pressure to slow the car down much. i read so many reviews, i cant even remmber where i read that..

 

It's necessary to any hydraulic system to have some play in it, otherwise there would be pressure on the seals all the time. Life expectancy would be greatly diminished.

 

ive had times when my brakes did this and there were times where it has not happened. it all depends on how hard i brake and where i am at that time.

 

Not sure what you were driving previously. If you've never beforedriven a car with properly calibrated 4 wheel disc brakes,youmight simply be expecting abraking sensation that you will not get. The braking on this car is much smoother than you get with front discs/rear drums. My previous vehicle was front discs/rear drums, and I find the difference substantial.

 

well funny enough all the cars that i have driven were all 4 wheel disc brakes. i just never had that feeling with the EL but i do sometimes (depending on where i am) have that feel with the brakes. BTW urbanman i finally figured it out

 

Drum brakes do tend to grab unless used judiciously.
When I was still pretty young, my motherhad a Dodge that got worse when it rained. Unusual since when wet, drum brakes tend not to work at all.
4-wheels discs FTW!!

 

this is my first car with 4 wheel disc brakes as well as abs and front side airbags and a tachometer and a working radio .. i never knew cars had so many features!!!!

 

SpeeDy, You're a nut!!