# Brakes barely work at startup, work fine after driving a while **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** hybrid-repair, escape, brakes, ford\ **Created:** [January 9, 2011, 6:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brakes-barely-work-at-startup-work-fine-after-driving-a-while/59764 "2011-01-09T18:11:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sbeaudoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sbeaudoi](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sbeaudoi)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2011, 6:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brakes-barely-work-at-startup-work-fine-after-driving-a-while/59764/1 "2011-01-09T18:11:44Z")
I have a Ford Escape Hybrid, 2005. I just replaced the battery. Next time I drove the car, brakes went almost to floor before engaging. After 10 min of driving, all was back to normal. Is this to be expected or should I take it in for repair? ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2011, 6:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brakes-barely-work-at-startup-work-fine-after-driving-a-while/59764/2 "2011-01-09T18:17:11Z")
Does The Hybrid’s Factory Owner’s Manual Have Any “Cautions” Pertainiing To Battery Disconnect Or Replacement ? CSA ---
**Author:** ![sbeaudoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sbeaudoi](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sbeaudoi)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2011, 6:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brakes-barely-work-at-startup-work-fine-after-driving-a-while/59764/3 "2011-01-09T18:27:37Z")
And there is the answer. The manual says the car needs to ‘relearn’ its setpoints, such as braking levels and idle trim. Feeling a bit stupid, but grateful for the advice.