Why do my brakes feel spongy?

Wednesday 2nd October 2024



Have you gone to brake and the pedal feels soft or spongy? Driving with spongy brakes can compromise your vehicle’s safety and braking performance. However, identifying why your brakes are spongy can be difficult if you don’t know the cause of your car’s brake issues

Why your brakes may feel spongy

A potential reason why your car’s brakes may feel spongy is if your brake warning light comes on and remains illuminated, you should stop driving your car until you have identified the issue and resolved the fault. A brake warning light could be an indicator that the brakes are spongy but could also indicate other issues with your vehicle's braking system:

  • Faulty or broken brake callipers.
  • Worn brake pads and discs.
  • A damaged ABS modulator.

Visit your nearest brake specialist, and they can identify the cause of why your brakes are faulty.

Leaking or damaged brake lines

The brake lines are an essential component in your vehicle’s braking system. When you press the brake pedal, the brake fluid is transferred from the brake cylinder to the brake on each wheel. Over time, the brake lines can become damaged or rusty due to wear and tear, leading to spongy brakes and reduced hydraulic pressure.

A worn-out master cylinder

All vehicles with an anti-lock braking system have a master cylinder. The cylinder is responsible for holding and transferring the brake fluid to the rear and front brakes of your car. When the master cylinder is worn or broken, it cannot function, which leads to the pedal becoming spongy or sinking to the floor.

There’s air in the brake lines

Air entering the brake lines is one of the most common causes of spongy brakes. It prevents the flow of brake fluid in your car’s brakes while also compromising the hydraulic pressure in your vehicle’s braking system. If there’s any air in the brake lines, you should remove it by bleeding the brakes and topping them up with new fluid. Doing so reduces the risk of existing brake fluid boiling, creating a spongy brake pedal when applying the brakes.

Low brake fluid

Leaks within the brake lines can lead to brake fluid leaking out of your car’s braking system. Also, driving your vehicle regularly will reduce your brake fluid, making the brakes spongy. If your car has low brake fluid, you should get the brake lines checked for leaks and top up your brakes with new fluid. Check your brake fluid levels regularly as this can prevent your brakes from becoming soft and spongy over time.

Recognising the signs of spongy brakes will prevent further braking issues from developing with your car. Are your brake pads worn or damaged? Discover the signs that indicate your brake pads need replacing with our article. Book your free brake check at one of our 132 branches across the country today.

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