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Road Test Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 GMC Safari and 2003 Chevrolet Astro. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Start engine and allow engine to idle.
  2. Check to see if the brake system warning light remains illuminated.
  3. If brake system warning light remains illuminated, DO NOT proceed to test drive the vehicle until it is diagnosed and repaired. See TROUBLE SHOOTING .
  4. Select a smooth, dry, clean and level road or large lot that is as free of traffic and obstacles as possible for brake system low speed road testing.
  5. With transmission in PARK, lightly apply the brake pedal. Observe both the pedal feel and the pedal travel.
  6. If the brake pedal apply felt spongy, or the pedal travel was excessive, DO NOT drive the vehicle until it is repaired.
  7. If brake pedal apply did not feel spongy and pedal travel was not excessive, go to next step.
  8. Release and apply brakes.
  9. While continuing to apply the brakes, shift the transmission into DRIVE, release the brakes and allow the engine to idle the vehicle away from the stopped position. Observe for a slow release of the brake system.
  10. With the aid of an assistant to observe the vehicle's performance from outside of the vehicle, drive the vehicle at a low speed and lightly apply the brakes while driving past the assistant. Have the assistant observe for brake system noise from the side of the vehicle closest to them, while you observe both the pedal effort and the pedal travel.
  11. If brake pedal apply effort was excessive, or pedal travel was excessive, DO NOT continue to test drive the vehicle until it is repaired.
  12. If brake pedal apply effort was not excessive and pedal travel was not excessive, proceed to next step.
  13. Drive vehicle in the opposite direction, at the same low speed and lightly apply the brakes while driving past the assistant. Have the assistant observe for brake system noise from the side of the vehicle closest to him.
  14. Drive vehicle at a low speed and shift transmission into NEUTRAL without applying the brakes. Observe for a rapid deceleration in vehicle speed, indicating possible brake drag.
  15. Select a smooth, dry, clean and level road that is as free of heavy traffic as possible for brake system moderate speed road testing.
  16. Drive vehicle at a moderate speed. Observe for a pull and/or incorrect tracking of the vehicle without the brakes applied.
  17. While continuing to drive the vehicle at a moderate speed, perform several light applies of the brakes. Observe the pedal effort and the pedal travel, observe for brake system noise, pulsation and/or brake drag.
  18. If brake pedal apply effort was excessive or pedal travel was excessive, DO NOT continue to test drive the vehicle until it is repaired.
  19. If brake pedal apply effort was not excessive and pedal travel was not excessive, go to next step.
  20. While continuing to drive the vehicle at a moderate speed, perform several moderate applies of the brakes. Observe the pedal effort and the pedal travel, observe for brake system pulsation and/or uneven braking action (either side to side, or front to rear). A small amount of vehicle front end dip is expected during a moderate apply of the brakes.
  21. If brake pedal apply effort was excessive or pedal travel was excessive, DO NOT continue to test drive vehicle until it is repaired.
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