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2003 Honda Civic EX

While braking continuously on a long shallow incline, the brakes will suddenly grip harder in a predictable way, jerking me forward a little and braking harder from then on. Like it switches from one deceleration rate to another. Is this the transmission switching to engine braking? The brake pump turning on? I don't think it has anything to do with the pads or rotors themselves.

Update: I watched the tachometer this time and it jumps up in RPM when the braking gets harder, so it's the gear shifting. Is it supposed to affect the brakes suddenly like this?

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Yes, the transmission downshifting is adding engine braking, in addition to the constant brake pressure you are applying. This will cause the car to slow down faster, as if you had pressed the brakes harder.

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  • Is it normal to jerk suddenly though?
    – endolith
    Oct 18, 2011 at 3:06
  • @endolith yes, when the transmission downshifts you will feel a significant slow down
    – Move More Comments Link To Top
    Oct 18, 2011 at 3:13
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(Adding to Larry's answer based on OP's update.)

I watched the tachometer this time and it jumps up in RPM when the braking gets harder, so it's the gear shifting. Is it supposed to affect the brakes suddenly like this?

No, it is not affecting the brakes but it is certainly affecting the deceleration as the engine braking is more powerful in lower gears (the rpm-to-speed factor increases, thus giving the engine more relative brake power). This will feel like as if you've suddenly pressed the brake pedal harder but has nothing to do with the braking system.

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