Why can’t I apply the first brake after starting the car in winter?

It has something to do with applying the brakes before turning off the engine. The car's braking system can work best when the engine is running, and the brake booster pump is the driving force behind vehicle braking. It amplifies the force we press on the pedal. When the engine is turned off, the brake booster pump will stop. Generally, pressing the brake pedal 3 times will use up its remaining vacuum force.

So the fact that the brakes are very hard does not lack its help. In this case, just restart the engine, and then try to press the brake pedal hard to restart. After the engine starts working, the brake booster pump can work again, and the brake pedal will naturally return to normal. Extended information

If you do not step on the brake pedal after the car is turned off, or find it difficult to depress the brake pedal while driving, it is likely that the brake booster pump is faulty. It may be caused by a leak or blockage in the vacuum tube of the brake booster pump. In this case, if you discover this situation before driving, it is better not to continue driving for the sake of safety.

It is best to send it directly to a repair shop for maintenance; if you find it while driving, don't panic. The first thing to do is to slow down to a stop. You can try to step on the pedal a few more times to see if the braking can be restored. If you step hard, you can usually still exert braking force.