If the brake rotors are out of balance or warped, the vehicle can jerk to a stop or rapidly vibrate depending on your driving conditions. If the brake pads are worn or filled with dirt and debris, the area of the rotor under the brake pads can collect these substances, causing the car to pulsate when braking.

Key Takeaways: Spongy brakes can be caused by various faults in the braking system, including air in the brake line, low brake fluid, leaking or damaged brake lines, a worn-out master cylinder, and more.

Hand brakes offer more control over modulation, or braking power. Whereas coaster brakes are essentially on or off with very little wiggle room in between, hand brakes allow you to be more precise with the pressure. Being able to control braking force on downhill or slippery surfaces is pretty important.

There are two types of brakes in use: disc brakes and drum brakes. Disc brakes feature brake pads that press against a rotor when the brake pedal is applied. Drum brakes use brake shoes forced into the brake drum to bring the vehicle to a stop.