United Tire and Service News

Experienced automotive technicians commonly hear questions about brakes that are soft and spongy. When you notice that your brakes aren't as responsive and precise as they once were, this can be a bit alarming. It's possible that this indicates that components of your vehicle's brakes are damaged and need to be fixed. However, there may be other culprits behind your spongy braking. 

One of the most common reasons that a vehicle has soft brakes is air in the brake lines. If this happens, your vehicle's brake lines may have a leak. 

Low brake fluid is another common cause of spongy brakes. One of the first things that you should do if you have soft brakes is check your brake fluid levels. If the fluid level is low, you can bring your vehicle into your local United Tire to get it topped off.

Soft brakes could be caused by a malfunctioning master brake cylinder. The master brake cylinder is responsible for maintaining the hydraulic pressure that your vehicle's brakes need in order to work. If you have an older vehicle with a lot of miles on it and you are experiencing spongy brakes, there's a good chance that the problem lies with your vehicle's master brake cylinder. It may need to be repaired or replaced to return your vehicle to peak condition.

The sponginess you're experiencing may be an indicator that your brake lines have been damaged. This is less common than some of the other potential causes on this list, but it is still a possibility. In fact, if your vehicle was recently in an accident there is a good chance that its brake lines were damaged. Even if you've had your car fixed up since the accident, the technicians may have missed the damage to your brake lines. This damage could worsen over time to the point where it causes spongy brakes. Your brake lines also could have been damaged by rust, especially if you live in a colder climate where road salt is commonly used.

Damaged brake disc calipers could also cause a soft or spongy brake pedal. If your vehicle pulls to one side or you hear a screeching sound when you hit the brakes, there is a good chance that this is the cause. Your brake calipers may have been simply worn down rather than damaged in an accident.

Soft brakes may not seem like such a big deal, but it is an indication that there is something wrong with your car. Driving with malfunctioning brakes is dangerous to yourself and everyone else on the road. If your vehicle has soft or spongy brakes, you should bring it to a United Tire location as soon as possible. Our highly experienced technicians can get your vehicle fixed and get you back on the road in no time.  Call your local United Tire location or schedule an appointment online.