Properly maintained brakes are vital for the safe operation of your vehicle, and the travel distance of the brake pedal is one of the factors that needs periodic checking. A brake pedal with too little travel (the distance the pedal must move before the brake pads are engaged) can cause constant wear on the brake pads, and too much travel (what is known as "mushy" brakes) may indicate that the brakes need major work. There is an optimum travel distance for the brake pedal for every make and model of vehicle.
Measure the distance between the melt sheet (the sheet under the car's carpet) to the top of the brake pedal. If you cannot remove the carpet to measure the pad under the carpet, estimate the thickness of the carpet and add that thickness to your measurement. Note, too, that you must measure to the top of the brake pedal. Since most brake pedals are set at an angle, the top of the pedal refers to the highest point of the pedal.
Start the engine and pump the brake pedal at least three to four times to remove any air that may be in the system.
Depress the brake pedal until it feels firm and can go no further down. Measure the distance between the melt sheet and the top of the pedal. Again, estimate the thickness of the carpet if necessary and measure to the highest point of the pedal.
Subtract the distance you measured when the pedal was depressed from the height of the pedal when it is not depressed. The difference is the travel distance of the brake pedal. The proper travel distance varies between different makes and models, so check with your dealership for the proper travel distance for your particular vehicle.
Take your vehicle to a brake specialist if the travel distance is too great or too little.
