Why does my brake pedal feel soft?

Brake pedal feel soft or spongy? Call (970) 317-2009 or Book appointment online. Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

What does a soft brake pedal mean?

Your brakes work by pushing fluid through sealed lines to the brakes at each wheel. Brake fluid does not squeeze down under pressure, so a healthy pedal feels firm and stops at the same height every time. When the pedal feels soft, spongy, or goes closer to the floor than it used to, something in the system is soaking up the push or letting pressure escape: air, moisture in the fluid, a leak, or a part that is wearing out. The car may still stop, but it takes more pedal and more distance, and it can get worse without much warning.

What causes a spongy brake pedal?

• Air in the brake lines. Air squeezes down where fluid does not, so the pedal feels like it is pressing into a sponge. Air can get in after a leak lets fluid out or after part of the system has been opened.
• Old brake fluid. Brake fluid takes on moisture from the air over time. Water lowers its boiling point, and fluid that boils forms vapor that feels a lot like air in the lines.
• A fluid leak. A wet spot near a wheel, a damp caliper, or a low fluid reservoir points to fluid escaping from a line, hose, or caliper seal.
• Worn pads. Thin pads let the caliper push farther before the brakes bite, so the pedal goes lower. Our post on why brakes grind covers pads worn down to metal.
• A master cylinder problem. If the pedal feels firm at first and then slowly sinks while you hold it at a stop, the master cylinder may be leaking inside.

Why does my brake pedal get soft on a mountain pass?

Long descents on US-550 north over Coal Bank, Molas, and Red Mountain Pass make the brakes turn a lot of speed into heat. That heat moves into the pads, rotors, calipers, and fluid. Fresh fluid handles it better. Older fluid that has taken on moisture can boil sooner, and the pedal can go soft halfway down a grade. Pads can also fade when they overheat. Shifting to a lower gear lets the engine hold the car back; our post on using low gear going down a mountain pass explains how. If the pedal went soft on a descent and came back once the brakes cooled, still get the system checked before the next trip. Before a Silverton run, read should I inspect brakes before driving to Silverton.

Next step: see our brake repair in Durango page. Ace AutoFix handles pads and rotors, caliper repair, brake fluid service, and parking brake work on cars and gas or light-duty trucks.

Is it safe to drive with a soft brake pedal?

Not for long. A soft pedal means less stopping power in reserve, and the cause can get worse quickly. If the pedal sinks to the floor, the brake warning light is on, or the car pulls hard when you brake, park it and call a shop instead of driving it across town. If the pedal is a little soft but the car still stops straight, drive gently, leave extra room, skip highway and mountain driving, and book a brake check as soon as you can. Do not just top off the fluid and keep going. Low fluid means it went somewhere, either out through a leak or into the calipers as the pads wear thin.

Can new brake fluid fix a soft brake pedal?

It can when the cause is old fluid or a little air in the lines. A brake fluid service replaces the old fluid and clears the air, which can bring the pedal back. If fluid is leaking or a part is worn, new fluid alone will not hold, so the leak or the worn part gets fixed first. For how often to service the fluid, follow the schedule in your owner's manual.

How does Ace AutoFix fix a soft brake pedal?

We start with the symptom you describe, then check the fluid level and condition, look for leaks at the lines, hoses, and calipers, and check the pads and rotors. We explain what we find and what it will take before any work starts. Brake work at Ace AutoFix covers pads and rotors front and rear, caliper repair or replacement, brake fluid service, and parking brake repair. The price is labor and parts, with no supply, ordering, or disposal fees, and nothing gets added without your OK. We work on any brand of car and on gas or light-duty trucks. We do not work on diesel vehicles. For more on pad wear before long grades, see when to change brake pads for mountain driving.

Book with Ace AutoFix

Call (970) 317-2009 or Book appointment online. Ace AutoFix is locally owned at 320 Wilson Gulch Dr, Durango, CO 81301, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Cars and gas or light-duty trucks. No diesel.