Montello Auto Repair

A firm, predictable brake pedal builds confidence every time you slow down. When that pedal feels soft or sinks farther than it used to, something is wrong in the hydraulic system. The car may still stop, but the margin of safety is smaller, and the stopping distance increases. A spongy pedal is not a quirk to live with. It is a sign that air, moisture, or a leak is getting between your foot and the calipers. What “Soft and Spongy” Usually Means Brakes rely on incompressible fluid to transfer your foot pressure to the calipers. If the pedal feels springy or you can press it closer to the floor than normal, air is likely trapped in the system. Air compresses under pressure, which steals force from the pads. The other common cause is degraded fluid that has absorbed moisture. Water lowers the boiling point of brake fluid. Under heat, that moisture turns to vapor bubbles and the pedal goes soft. Air in the Lines After a Repair or Low Fluid Event ... read more