What should you do if your vehicle’s brakes feel spongy or fail to stop effectively?

• A. Reduce speed, shift to a safe location, and stop gently using the parking brake; seek professional inspection.
• B. Speed up to reach a service center quickly.
• C. Ignore and continue driving.
• D. Pump the brakes repeatedly until it stops.

Answer: (A)

When brakes feel spongy or aren’t stopping you effectively, the priority is to slow down and get to a safe location without further risk. A spongy feel often means the hydraulic brake system isn’t building proper pressure, which can be caused by air in the lines, low brake fluid, or worn components. You want to reduce speed gradually so you can react to traffic and avoid a sudden, hard stop.

Move to a safe place off the roadway, then stop the vehicle in a controlled way. Stopping gently—using the parking brake if needed and only after you’ve slowed to a manageable pace—helps bring the car to a halt without a sudden grab that could throw you off balance. After you’re stopped safely, have the braking system inspected by a professional because this points to a serious fault that could lead to complete brake failure if not fixed.

Choosing to speed up to reach a service center increases the risk of a crash. Ignoring the problem is unsafe and can allow the issue to worsen. Pumping the brakes repeatedly is not a reliable fix for a braking problem and can delay a controlled stop, especially with modern brake systems.