What do spongy brakes feel like?

CreditCardChris

I drove my car yesterday and the brakes felt normal, however this morning during the heavy rain the brake felt spongy. Usually when I press down on it the brake engages almost immediately but this morning I could press it down about an inch and it didn't feel like the brake was doing anything to slow the car.

The best way I can describe it is the brake felt more slack than usual? They were still stopping me like usual when I did press down on it firmly but something just felt off.

My car is literally only 3 weeks old and I bought it from an approve VW dealer who carried out all the checks and it just had the MOT done a week before I bought it.

Maybe I'm imagining it because of the rain or something

AdrianC

Exactly what the term sounds like... Spongy. You press the pedal, it just goes down and down. If you pump it, it'll "pump up", and be firm as normal.

Sounds like your issue was simply very wet discs and pads.

Car_54

CreditCardChris wrote: »

My car is literally only 3 weeks old and I bought it from an approve VW dealer who carried out all the checks and it just had the MOT done a week before I bought it.

So it's not 3 weeks old, either literally or otherwise.

CreditCardChris

Car_54 wrote: »

So it's not 3 weeks old, either literally or otherwise.

What I mean is I've only had it 3 weeks and the MOT was done a week before I bought it

Sorry I should have been clearer.

AdrianC

CreditCardChris wrote: »

What I mean is I've only had it 3 weeks and the MOT was done a week before I bought it

So how old actually is it?

The MOT only checks that the brakes work to a fairly minimal standard.

CreditCardChris

AdrianC wrote: »

So how old actually is it?

The MOT only checks that the brakes work to a fairly minimal standard.

The car is 3 years old, has 40k miles it had 39,000 when I bought it. When I bought it they topped up all the fluids and I actually said it was from an approved VW dealership, but it was actually from an official VW dealership so I doubt they'd have sold me the car if the brakes could give out so soon.

I'll drive it when it's dry and see if the brake still feel a bit slack.

angrycrow

How much tread is left on the tyres. We have had very heavy rain in most parts of the country today compared to the last three weeks. If the tyres are worn near the limit the brakes will feel softer due to less grip.

AdrianC

angrycrow wrote: »

How much tread is left on the tyres. We have had very heavy rain in most parts of the country today compared to the last three weeks. If the tyres are worn near the limit the brakes will feel softer due to less grip.

That makes absolutely no sense...

The only way the tyres will contribute to the brake feel or grip is if the wheels lock, probably due to aquaplaning if it is down to standing water. And then the impact on pedal feel will be it vibrating back due to the ABS triggering.

mollycat

5 threads started in last 10 days regarding concerns with aspects of driving.

Either overthinking things, overly anxious or some other reason afoot.

Seeking reassurance/advice from others is fine, but doing it too often will impact on your own problem solving/assessment skills.

Sorting stuff out yourself (at least some of the time) is the way to gain confidence.

Brakes felt different in the wet; you've wondered if they've suddenly become "spongy"?

My advice....think things like this through, maybe see what they feel like when it's dry again.

Not having a pop, working things out without relying on well intentioned others is a handy skill

Sea_Shell

mollycat wrote: »

5 threads started in last 10 days regarding concerns with aspects of driving.

Either overthinking things, overly anxious or some other reason afoot.

Seeking reassurance/advice from others is fine, but doing it too often will impact on your own problem solving/assessment skills.

Sorting stuff out yourself (at least some of the time) is the way to gain confidence.

Brakes felt different in the wet; you've wondered if they've suddenly become "spongy"?

My advice....think things like this through, maybe see what they feel like when it's dry again.

Not having a pop, working things out without relying on well intentioned others is a handy skill

It's just an "Internet age" thing. First port of call in ANY situation....google.

Unlike us oldies who had to figure stuff out for ourselves!!! No you-tube "how to" videos to watch!!

If i'd had the internet when i'd just passed my test (and in many other aspects of life)...i'd probably have had a million questions too. (I still do when it comes to pensions!!!)

mollycat

Sea_Shell wrote: »

It's just an "Internet age" thing. First port of call in ANY situation....google.

Unlike us oldies who had to figure stuff out for ourselves!!! No you-tube "how to" videos to watch!!

Agree....but even google would be more of a confidence builder than asking well intentioned strangers on a forum who may or may not give good advice.

"oh my brakes feel different today, whats different....hey been raining heavily"

(googles can wet disks/pads make brake effect feel different)

"great sorted that myself...no need for a thread"

Job done