Three Signs That Car Brakes Need Bleeding

You need to book an appointment with a mechanic immediately if your car needs brake repairs. The brakes are the most critical safety component in any vehicle. While you can drive long distances with a faulty seatbelt or airbag system, you cannot get far with a defective brake. There are different kinds of brake repairs, and brake bleeding is one. Fundamentally, bleeding removes air from car brake lines, ensuring a constant and reliable pressure during operation. This article highlights signs that your brakes need bleeding.

Spongy Brakes

When you press on a brake pedal, it should feel firm. However, when the pedal starts to feel like you are stepping on a soft sponge, then you have reason to be wary. A spongy brake is highly inefficient when stopping a car, and you might have to use more force to bring a vehicle to a halt. The spongy feeling results from air accumulated inside brake hoses, causing the hydraulic system in the brakes to lose pressure. Since hydraulics assist in braking, pressure loss means you have to press harder to stop. In such cases, a technician will locate and open the valves in a brake system to release air.

Car Takes Longer to Stop

If your car's brake system is in good condition, the vehicle should come to a complete stop immediately after you press the brake pedal. However, you should call a mechanic immediately when it takes longer than usual to stop after stepping on the brake pedal. Brakes that take long to stop a car are dangerous on highways and congested roads because they can easily cause tail-end collisions. The presence of air in a brake system causes brake pads to press the discs with less force, prolonging the stopping time. Bleeding the brakes allows accumulated air to escape from the system, eliminating the barrier between brake pads and discs.

Braking Too Often or for Extended Periods

While it is not a symptom, it is a sign that you should take your car for brake bleeding. See, braking too often or for a prolonged time causes friction between brake pads and rotors, generating a lot of heat. The sustained high temperatures cause the brake fluid to boil and form bubbles in the system. Typically, it happens when driving downhill, where you have to step on the brakes for a long time. The bubbles (air) in the system reduce braking power, putting you at risk while on the road. The only way to correct the problem is to drain or bleed the brakes to remove the bubbles.

If you need brake repairs, make an appointment with a car shop in your area.