Mercedes Brake Pedal Goes To Floor? Here's What You Need To Do

Having a braking system that doesn't work the way you want it, can be frustrating. There are several different reasons why a Mercedes' brake pedal can lose responsiveness and go all the way down when you depress it. Some of the most common ones are listed below. To begin with, let's discuss how important a vehicle's braking system is.

A Short Note on Vehicle’s Braking System

In layman's terms, the braking system is what we use to get control over the speed of a vehicle. A well-functioning braking system is essential for the overall functionality of a vehicle. Any deformity in a part of such importance is worrisome, but before consulting a mechanic, you should check it for yourself.

So, you could say that the braking system is a tool to control the motion of a vehicle. All you have to do is to press the brake pedal, and the braking system will spring into action to slow the vehicle down. Just so you know, brakes are of different types and come in various styles, sizes, and shapes. The main two types of them are– disc and drum brakes. Based on the 'type of force' applied, the brakes are of three different type’s mechanical, hydraulic, and air brakes.

Let's examine some of the prominent factors that can cause a car's brake pedal to go all the way down now that we have learned about a few basic aspects of braking systems.

Mercedes' Brake Pedal Goes To The Floor? Here's What It Could Mean

Leaking brake fluid

A low brake fluid level may cause your brake pedal to not respond as it should and go all the way down when you depress it. You could say that the brake fluid is the lifeblood of your vehicle’s braking system.

And, guess what… if it dries up, your vehicle's braking system will become unresponsive- and, every time, you depress it, it will go down to the floor. This is not something that should be taken lightly. Because a problem like this can be disastrous if you let it go.

Air in brake lines

The braking system, as most of you probably know by now, relies on a special kind of fluid to slow the vehicle down. The majority of brake fluids used today is glycol-ether based. And, the problem with glycol-ether is – it has hygroscopic properties. Are you wondering, what 'hygroscopic' mean?

Well, if a substance is 'hygroscopic' in nature, it absorbs moisture easily. The point is- brake fluid is hygroscopic and can attract moisture from the environment. Excessive moisture accumulation in the brake line can cause the braking system to become unresponsive and spongy.

Defective parts

If your brake pedal goes to the floor but there is no sign of an external brake fluid leak, you could be dealing with a failing brake part. A vehicle's braking system is a very complex piece of machinery - designed to do a very tough job. And, yes… it deploys multiple components to slow the vehicle down.

Some of the major parts that make up a vehicle's braking system are- the master cylinder, brake booster, brake pads, rotors, etc. If any of these components start malfunctioning, the ability of the braking system to slow the vehicle down will be greatly reduced.

Bad driving habits

No matter how unlikely this may sound… but, it’s true. If you slam on your brakes too hard while driving at a high speed, vital parts of the braking system may get damaged. And, guess what… damaged parts can make the braking system unresponsive and spongy.

Do This If Your Mercedes' Brake Pedal Goes To the Floor

If the brake pedal of your Mercedes is not working the way it should and goes all the way down, it is a cause of concern and should not be taken lightly. Because, if you let such a problem go, things can go south in no time. Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do about it. So, if the brake pedal in your Mercedes feels spongy or slams into the floor every time you press it, call a car mechanic to get it taken care of.

Wrapping It Up

When something with the braking system is wrong, your vehicle as a whole can take a turn for the worse. Therefore, if your Mercedes' brake pedal feels spongy or goes to the floor every time you depress it, it's a sign of trouble and shouldn't be overlooked. Fortunately, diagnosing such a problem is not that big of a deal if you know where to look.

Solo Motorsports is a leading luxury cars service & repair specialist located at Alpharetta, GA. We have years of experience in taking care of high-end cars like Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Mini, Porsche, and Volkswagen.