Why does the car only stop when the brake is fully pressed?

[SanBenjamin]

The reasons why the car only stops when the brake is fully pressed are: 1. Excessive gap between the brake pads and brake drum; air in the brake master cylinder. Worn brake pads, deteriorated brake fluid, or leaking brake fluid lines. 2. Stuck brake caliper not returning, worn master cylinder seal causing air leakage, or malfunctioning ABS pump. Braking techniques are as follows: 1. Release the brake before stopping: When braking, release the brake before the car comes to a complete stop, as continuously pressing the brake will cause a strong impact at the moment of stopping. The technique is to release the brake once before the car fully stops, then gently press the brake again until the car stops moving. 2. Braking in a curve: When braking while the car is in a curve, pressing the brake while turning the steering wheel may cause the car to lose balance. Before entering the curve, reduce the speed sufficiently by braking.

[Stephanie]

When I drove my old car, I also experienced the issue of having to press the brake pedal all the way down to stop, which felt particularly unnerving. There could be several reasons for this, such as brake pads being worn too thin and not tight enough, requiring deeper pressing to generate sufficient friction. Another common cause is insufficient or aged brake fluid leading to a drop in fluid level, making the pedal feel spongy; if air enters the system, inefficient hydraulic pressure transmission can also lengthen the brake travel. I later learned that minor leaks in the pipelines could also trigger this situation, resulting in longer stopping distances during emergencies and increased risks. So I became wiser—regularly checking brake depth, keeping the fluid fresh, and replacing pads periodically can prevent potential hazards. This experience taught me the importance of routine maintenance—don’t wait until a major issue arises to fix it.

[MacJoshua]

From a mechanical principle perspective, the braking system relies on hydraulic pressure to transmit force. When you press the brake pedal, the master cylinder pushes fluid to the wheel cylinders, causing the brake pads to clamp the rotor. If air enters the hydraulic lines, the compressible air bubbles make the pedal feel spongy, requiring deeper pedal travel to build pressure. Additionally, excessive brake clearance or minor fluid leaks can lead to insufficient hydraulic pressure and reduced performance. This compromises braking efficiency and may even cause driving accidents. It is recommended to promptly check the brake fluid level and replace worn components. Neglecting these issues long-term may damage the brake discs, doubling repair costs. In short, safety comes first—address any problems immediately without delay.

[DelAthena]

Brake issues should never be taken lightly. If you have to press the pedal all the way down to stop, it indicates low braking efficiency, which is extremely dangerous during high-speed driving. Common causes include excessively worn brake pads, insufficient brake fluid, or air in the system, all of which can reduce braking force, increase stopping distance, and easily lead to rear-end collisions. For personal safety, once you notice this warning sign, avoid driving immediately and have the vehicle towed to a professional repair shop. Remember, prevention is key—regular maintenance, especially timely fluid replacement, is crucial.

[Bryan]

As a cost-conscious car owner, I always consider expenses: When the brakes only work with deep pedal pressure, don't push your luck—minor repairs like pad replacement might cost just a few hundred. Ignoring issues such as complete brake fluid leakage or damaged lines could lead to major repairs costing thousands, not to mention potential accidents. Regularly check pedal response and fluid levels, and perform timely maintenance to avoid expensive rotor replacements. This approach is far more economical than dealing with accident-related financial losses—safe driving is the true path to long-term savings.