Brake bleeding is the process of removing air bubbles from hydraulic brake lines. Air in the system compresses under pressure, leading to a spongy brake pedal feel and reduced braking efficiency. In contrast, brake fluid is incompressible, allowing for direct pressure transfer from the pedal to the brake calipers.
Maintaining a brake system free of air ensures optimal stopping power and driver safety. A properly functioning brake system is crucial for vehicle control and accident avoidance. Historically, bleeding brakes was a more frequent task due to less robust sealing materials in older brake systems.