Patent ID: 8260514

Claim:
A method for increasing a braking effect in a motor vehicle having a hydraulic brake system, wherein in case of a reduced effectiveness of the brake system, a brake pressure in at least one wheel brake is increased by switching on an energy supply unit, the method comprising: checking, when a energy supply unit ( 9 , 10 ) is enabled, whether a brake pressure (p TMC ) in a master brake cylinder ( 3 ) reaches a predetermined threshold value (p T ); disabling the energy supply unit ( 9 , 10 ) upon expiry of a predetermined length of time (Δt), which begins when it is detected that the brake pressure (p TMC ) has reached the predetermined threshold value (p T ) to provide fading brake support; and detecting a reduced effectiveness of the brake system when the brake pressure (p TMC ) in the master brake cylinder ( 3 ) exceeds an activation threshold (p AT ), wherein the activation threshold p AT is determined depending on vehicle deceleration.