Brakes are the most important safety feature on your vehicle; therefore, it is important to pay attention to what the pedal feels like when you are stopping your car or truck. One indicator your brakes are not working as they are designed to is when the pedal feels spongy or soft, especially in older vehicles that may not be equipped with emergency indications on the dashboard. Here are several reasons why your brake pedal could be feeling spongy or not engaging immediately when you tap your brakes.
- The most common culprit of spongy brakes is air in your brake line which could come from low brake fluid or a leak in the system. When air is in the line, flushing or bleeding the brake fluid will resolve the issue and get your brakes working properly again.
- Damaged and leaky brake lines or calipers can also cause the brakes to feel soft because it compromises the efficiency of the hydraulic system that operates the brakes.
- Old brake fluid can cause spongy brakes because it can absorb moisture that disrupts brake operation. Low brake fluid in the master cylinder also causes soft brake pedals.
- A worn-out master cylinder can also cause the brakes to feel spongy or soft. The master cylinder is key to the overall brake system because it stores brake fluid and distributes it to the front and rear brakes. If the master cylinder is worn out it may not get enough through the lines to the brakes, or if it is leaking there will be insufficient fluid to maintain braking functions.
Regular brake inspections by a trained mechanic can help you avoid vehicle mishaps and keep you, your passengers, and other drivers safe. If your car, truck, or motorcycle needs brake repair, we invite you to bring it to Knight Automotive today.