Your car’s brake pedal shouldn’t feel soft.
If it does, then there’s probably a problem which needs to be addressed.
The pedal should feel firm but not hard when you press down on it, and spongy brakes won’t fix themselves without effective diagnosis and repair.
If you think your brake pedal might be soft, you should have it checked by a mechanic as soon as possible.
Read on and find out what causes spongy brakes and how to fix the problem.
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Common Causes of Spongy Brakes
Your brakes could be spongy for several reasons, including the following:
- Air in the brake lines
- Low, contaminated or old brake fluid
- Faulty master cylinder
- Leaking or damaged brake lines
- Worn-out master cylinder
- ABS modulator issues
- Misaligned rear brake shoes
- Wheel cylinder leak
- Damaged brake calipers
You should not drive until the issue causing the spongy brakes has been resolved, as it will be difficult for you to fully control the vehicle.
Signs You Have a Soft Brake Pedal
Your brake pedal may be soft if you’ve noticed any of the following:
- An illuminated brake warning light
- Little to no resistance from brake pedal
- Brake pedal sinks further after you’ve stopped pressing
- You must pump the brake pedal to slow down
How to Fix a Soft Brake Pedal Issue
As any number of issues could be causing the problem, the best course of action is to ask a mechanic for their opinion.
In the meantime, you can check for any brake fluid leaks and have the brakes flushed or bled if necessary if there is air in the brake lines.
If your brakes are still spongy after a mechanic bleeds them, then a more in-depth repair may be required to solve the problem.
If you notice your brake pedal feels soft whilst you’re driving, you should repeatedly pump the pedal to stop the car.
In the event you require a brake specialist to diagnose the problem, you should book a visual inspection.
