Weak Brakes?

[CSteen85]

I just bought my '97 GP SE and I felt like when I put my foot on the brake pedal, it was "squishy"? It just wasn't very responsive, but supposedly, this car has brand new brakes.

So, I don't know how to explain it, but it's as though I put my foot on the brake and can press down a bit before the car even begins to start stopping. This makes me nervous as I don't believe it should feel that way.

I asked my brother to test drive it for me and tell me if he felt the same thing. He said he did and diagnosed it as having low brake fluids.

Does that sound right? I definitely need an oil change and I'm not sure about the other fluids, but hopefully they'll all be topped off when I get the oil change. If I go to a place like jiffy lube, will they top it off for me?

Do you think this could be the problem or does it sound more serious?

[RamairGTP2]

well if it is indeed low on brake fluid, fill it back to the line on the master cylinder reservoir. Then pump the brakes,if the pedal feels any better the low brake fluid could have been the problem. Also does it feel soft when the car is not running or running?
A couple other problems could be that there is air in the brake lines(which means you need to have the brake system bled),you could have a slow leak of the brake lines, or the master cylinder itself could be worn out. Try the easiest thing first which is checking the level of the brake fluid and go from there.

[ZR1Vette09]

get some brake fluid in there.

[imdaman3]

yea check all fluids, make sure you check your blinker fluids too, you dont wana get a ticket

[matt5112]

This is supposed to be a sealed system, if its low on fluid, either someone did something wrong, or something is wrong. Check for the latter and hope its the former.

Not sure how the brake feel should be in these cars, can't see it being that great. Sure I own one, but I've got brake issues...

[RamairGTP2]

Ive got really great pedal response in my GP, not mushy at all. Feels nice and firm.

[matt5112]

So the second you touch the pedal do you get brake grab?

[CSteen85]

I should clarify... Its not that the break doesn't pump back up under my foot when I lift it, its that it feels like when I press down on the brake pedal, I don't get immediate grab. But I feel like I'm working kind of hard to get the brakes to grab in general. I don't know if its supposed to feel that way or not, but its like, I can't "tap" the breaks in my car... I have to deliberately press down on them all the way to get it to stop. But the brakes them$selves are new and my brother said they feel pretty solid, so I don't think its that.
I might be over-analyzing, too. I'm used to driving a 2009 Nissan Sentra, where the brakes grabbed immediately.

I have a mechanic I trust (if I could get him on the phone) and I plan to bring it in to him for an oil change. Ill mention it to him then and see what he says.

Thanks guys!

[matt5112]

This is the damn problem I have... New brake fluid is my next "task"