Q: My brakes are hard to press and it's stuck under 2nd gear. Is it my brake pads?

asked by on May 22, 2016

My brakes are hard to press and it's stuck under 2nd gear.

It sounds like you may have two different problems. The first is a bad or leaking brake booster or another brake problem causing you to push the brakes harder than normal.

The second problem is a transmission shifting issue. Being stuck in second gear may be a linkage problem or an internal problem that would require a transmission mechanic to test the pressures to see if the problem can be fixed or if the transmission needs overhauled.

I’d recommend having your vehicle inspected by a certified mechanic. They will be able to confirm my suspicions about your brake pedal and check out the issue with your gears

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Back up camera comes on and off when my headlights are on
The navigation unit and power train control unit use some common sensors to know when you are in reverse to activate the backup camera (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-buy-a-good-quality-back-up-camera-system). If your backup lights do not work or other problems are happening, then I suggest...
My car is leaking oil after an oil change.
It sounds like the valve cover is leaking, allowing the oil to leak down into the spark plug recess as you have noted. Not only will a leaky valve cover result in the oily smell that you detected, it can...
When the car is cold and first starting, the serpentine belt seizes up temporarily.
Hello. A belt that seizes up during cold starts can be caused by a few things. If one of the pulleys is seizing up, it can cause the belt to squeal as it passes over the stationary pulley. I would...
Cylinder 2 Misfire, and water contamination in the fuel.
Hello. If your fuel was recently contaminated with water then that is likely the reason behind the cylinder 2 misfire. As the fuel travels to all of the cylinders, this leaves them all susceptible to misfires, as well as the...
Engine management light
Hello, thank you for writing in. If the code that was pulled pertained to the spark plugs and ignition system, then the issue may be related to the spark plug wires rather than the plugs themselves. Thsee can be inspected...
Check engine light is on, giving error code P03344.
Your vehicle does not use a distributor cap or rotor to provide spark. Instead the ignition system is based on an individual "coil over plug" arrangement. Engine noise, of a rattling or metallic character, is a known accompaniment to Diagnostic...
In my 2016 Nissan Altima, what are the fuel lines that run underneath the car under driver's side.
Hello. You will have two brake lines, a pressurized fuel line, and an evaporative emissions line. The smaller metal lines are the brake fluid lines and the other are fuel system lines.
overfilled transmission fluid
You will need to have the excess fluid sucked out of the transmission so it is not overfull through the fill tube. Most mechanics have a suction tool that can pull out the excess fluid for you. The transmission may...
Your mechanic come and replace oil for my BMW X5, but the car said the oil is below minimal, how to do that?
Hi Tony. Thanks for contacting us today. Sometimes directly after the oil is changed, the oil warning light will illuminate. If it does not clear up within the next day or so, then I would recommend adding one quart of...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe
The The Chevy Tahoe has always been one of the most popular SUVs on the market, and this trend continued in 2012. As always, the vehicle proved to be reliable and powerful, with plenty of space and features that people...
2005 Jeep Wrangler vs. 2005 Chevrolet Blazer: Which One Should I Buy?
Sport SUVs are a class all of their own; these vehicles are meant for a fun drive through the woods and across the trail – but not necessarily to Grandma’s house! Think instead about going through the creek and through...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Have Kids
Once Once you have kids, the kind of car you have becomes very important. Suddenly, the amount of space, entertainment features, reliability, safety, and easy to clean interior become the top priorities. Here’s a list of vehicles meant to satisfy...