System Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2015 Chevrolet Trax and 2015 Buick Encore. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Under normal driving conditions, without the brakes applied, vacuum is allowed to act on both sides of the diaphragm within the vacuum brake booster. When the brake pedal is applied, the effort by the driver is multiplied due to the relative length of the brake pedal in relationship to its pivot point and the point at which the push rod to the vacuum brake booster is attached.

Movement of the push rod causes a valve within the vacuum brake booster to close between the two sides of the diaphragm, thus isolating each side. It also allows a valve to open that allows atmospheric pressure to act on the pedal side of the vacuum brake booster while maintaining vacuum on the vacuum source side of the diaphragm. The movement of the brake pedal pushrod is transferred to the hydraulic brake master cylinder via the vacuum brake booster. The pressure differential within the vacuum brake booster reduces the effort required by the driver in applying the brakes.