🛑 Why Your Brake Pedal Feels Soft or Spongy
🛑 Why Your Brake Pedal Feels Soft or Spongy
By Andrews Car Centre – Brake Specialists in Lincoln
Your brake pedal should feel firm and responsive when you press it. If it suddenly feels soft, spongy, or sinks too far, it’s a sign something’s wrong — and it could seriously affect your ability to stop safely.
At Andrews Car Centre in Lincoln, we frequently see drivers with this exact issue. Here's what might be causing it, why it's dangerous, and what to do next.
⚠️ What Does a Spongy Brake Pedal Feel Like?
You might notice:
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The pedal sinks deeper than usual when pressed
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It feels soft or springy, with less resistance
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You need to pump the pedal to build pressure
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Braking performance is reduced, especially under pressure
If any of this sounds familiar, don’t ignore it — it’s often the first warning sign of a brake system failure.
🔍 Common Causes of a Soft or Spongy Brake Pedal
1. Air in the Brake Lines
Brake systems rely on hydraulic pressure. If air gets into the lines (often after a fluid leak or poor bleeding), it compresses under pressure, leading to that mushy feeling.
2. Low or Old Brake Fluid
Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, which reduces its effectiveness and can cause:
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Spongy pedal feel
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Corrosion inside the braking system
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Boiling under heavy use (especially downhill or towing)
👉 Brake fluid should be changed every 2 years.
3. Brake Fluid Leak
A leak anywhere in the brake system — hoses, master cylinder, calipers — can result in:
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Low fluid levels
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Loss of pressure
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Dangerously reduced braking power
Check under your car for wet spots near the wheels or brake lines.
4. Worn or Failing Master Cylinder
The master cylinder creates the hydraulic pressure in your brake system. If it fails internally, it won’t generate enough force — resulting in a pedal that feels soft or sinks slowly under steady pressure.
🧰 How We Fix It at Andrews Car Centre
When you bring your car in with a soft brake pedal, we’ll:
âś… Check fluid levels and quality
âś… Inspect for leaks at each wheel and brake line
âś… Bleed the system to remove air
âś… Test the master cylinder and ABS components
âś… Advise you clearly on what needs repair or replacement
We only use OE-quality parts and manufacturer-spec brake fluid for long-lasting safety.
đź“Ť Book a Brake Inspection in Lincoln
If your brake pedal feels spongy, soft, or unresponsive — don’t wait for it to get worse. It could be the difference between stopping safely and not stopping at all.
👉 Call Andrews Car Centre now, book online, or visit our Dixon Street workshop in Lincoln for a fast, honest brake check.
âś… Free brake checks available
âś… Same-day repairs on most vehicles
âś… Trusted by Lincoln drivers for over 25 years