ASE A5 Brakes Certification Practice
Exam 100 Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
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1. A brake pedal that feels spongy after brake service most likely indicates:
A. Worn brake pads
B. Air in the hydraulic system
C. Glazed rotors
D. Faulty proportioning valve
B. Air in the hydraulic system
Air compresses under pressure, causing a soft or spongy pedal feel. This is one
of the most common causes of a spongy pedal after service, especially if the
system was not properly bled.
2. Disc brake caliper piston retraction is primarily caused by:
A. Return springs
B. Master cylinder pressure
C. Square-cut seal deformation
D. Rotor runout
C. Square-cut seal deformation
The square-cut seal twists during braking and returns the piston slightly when
pressure is released. This is the primary mechanism for caliper piston
retraction in most disc brake systems.
3. Which condition can cause a brake pull during braking?
,A. Equal pad thickness
B. Uneven pad friction side to side
C. Equal hydraulic pressure
D. Normal rotor thickness
B. Uneven pad friction side to side
Differences in friction cause one wheel to apply more braking force than the
other, resulting in a pull. This can be caused by contaminated pads, different
pad materials, or uneven wear.
4. A combination valve typically includes:
A. Metering, proportioning, and pressure differential functions
B. ABS control and pressure relief
C. Parking brake control
D. Vacuum assist control
A. Metering, proportioning, and pressure differential functions
Combination valves manage brake balance and warn of hydraulic failures.
The metering valve delays front brake application, the proportioning valve
limits rear pressure, and the pressure differential valve triggers a warning
light if pressure is lost.
5. What is the primary purpose of a brake proportioning valve?
A. Increase rear brake pressure
B. Balance front and rear braking forces
C. Reduce front brake pressure
D. Prevent ABS activation
B. Balance front and rear braking forces
It limits rear brake pressure to prevent rear wheel lockup during hard
braking, helping maintain vehicle stability.
6. A brake warning light that stays on may indicate:
A. Low brake fluid
B. Worn tires
,C. High engine vacuum
D. Faulty alternator
A. Low brake fluid
Low fluid often triggers the brake warning switch, which illuminates the
dashboard light. This can indicate a leak or worn brake pads (as fluid level
drops when caliper pistons extend).
7. Excessive rotor runout can cause:
A. Hard pedal
B. Brake fade
C. Pedal pulsation
D. Spongy pedal
C. Pedal pulsation
Rotor thickness variation from runout is felt as pulsation through the brake
pedal and steering wheel. This is a common complaint that requires
measuring rotor runout with a dial indicator.
8. Which tool is used to measure brake rotor thickness?
A. Dial indicator
B. Feeler gauge
C. Micrometer
D. Vernier caliper
C. Micrometer
A micrometer is used to measure rotor thickness accurately. A dial indicator is
used for runout, and a feeler gauge is used for pad clearance.
9. DOT 5 brake fluid is:
A. Glycol-based
B. Silicone-based
C. Mineral-based
D. Petroleum-based
B. Silicone-based
, DOT 5 is silicone-based and incompatible with DOT 3, DOT 4, and DOT 5.1
fluids. It is not recommended for vehicles with ABS due to aeration issues.
10. A technician is bleeding the brakes on a vehicle with a metering valve. The
pressure bleeder is set to 25 psi, but no fluid comes out of the front caliper
bleeders. What is the most likely cause?
A. Bad proportioning valve
B. Bad pressure differential valve
C. Metering valve not opened
D. Residual check valve stuck
C. Metering valve not opened
A metering valve requires a minimum pressure (typically 75–125 psi) to open.
With only 25 psi from the pressure bleeder, the valve remains closed,
preventing fluid flow to the front calipers. The valve must be manually held
open during pressure bleeding.
11. On a car with disc/drum brakes, the front brakes grab quickly when light
pedal pressure is applied. This problem could be caused by a bad:
A. Proportioning valve
B. Pressure safety switch
C. Metering valve
D. Residual check valve
C. Metering valve
The metering valve delays the flow of brake fluid to the front calipers until
pressure rises enough for the rear drum brakes to overcome spring tension.
This prevents the front brakes from locking up during light applications. A
faulty metering valve can cause the front brakes to grab too early.
12. The driver of a vehicle with power disc/drum brakes says the brake pedal
moves slowly to the floor while maintaining pedal pressure at a stoplight.
What could cause this problem?
A. Leaking primary piston cup in master cylinder
B. Leaking power brake booster
Exam 100 Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
Download Pdf
1. A brake pedal that feels spongy after brake service most likely indicates:
A. Worn brake pads
B. Air in the hydraulic system
C. Glazed rotors
D. Faulty proportioning valve
B. Air in the hydraulic system
Air compresses under pressure, causing a soft or spongy pedal feel. This is one
of the most common causes of a spongy pedal after service, especially if the
system was not properly bled.
2. Disc brake caliper piston retraction is primarily caused by:
A. Return springs
B. Master cylinder pressure
C. Square-cut seal deformation
D. Rotor runout
C. Square-cut seal deformation
The square-cut seal twists during braking and returns the piston slightly when
pressure is released. This is the primary mechanism for caliper piston
retraction in most disc brake systems.
3. Which condition can cause a brake pull during braking?
,A. Equal pad thickness
B. Uneven pad friction side to side
C. Equal hydraulic pressure
D. Normal rotor thickness
B. Uneven pad friction side to side
Differences in friction cause one wheel to apply more braking force than the
other, resulting in a pull. This can be caused by contaminated pads, different
pad materials, or uneven wear.
4. A combination valve typically includes:
A. Metering, proportioning, and pressure differential functions
B. ABS control and pressure relief
C. Parking brake control
D. Vacuum assist control
A. Metering, proportioning, and pressure differential functions
Combination valves manage brake balance and warn of hydraulic failures.
The metering valve delays front brake application, the proportioning valve
limits rear pressure, and the pressure differential valve triggers a warning
light if pressure is lost.
5. What is the primary purpose of a brake proportioning valve?
A. Increase rear brake pressure
B. Balance front and rear braking forces
C. Reduce front brake pressure
D. Prevent ABS activation
B. Balance front and rear braking forces
It limits rear brake pressure to prevent rear wheel lockup during hard
braking, helping maintain vehicle stability.
6. A brake warning light that stays on may indicate:
A. Low brake fluid
B. Worn tires
,C. High engine vacuum
D. Faulty alternator
A. Low brake fluid
Low fluid often triggers the brake warning switch, which illuminates the
dashboard light. This can indicate a leak or worn brake pads (as fluid level
drops when caliper pistons extend).
7. Excessive rotor runout can cause:
A. Hard pedal
B. Brake fade
C. Pedal pulsation
D. Spongy pedal
C. Pedal pulsation
Rotor thickness variation from runout is felt as pulsation through the brake
pedal and steering wheel. This is a common complaint that requires
measuring rotor runout with a dial indicator.
8. Which tool is used to measure brake rotor thickness?
A. Dial indicator
B. Feeler gauge
C. Micrometer
D. Vernier caliper
C. Micrometer
A micrometer is used to measure rotor thickness accurately. A dial indicator is
used for runout, and a feeler gauge is used for pad clearance.
9. DOT 5 brake fluid is:
A. Glycol-based
B. Silicone-based
C. Mineral-based
D. Petroleum-based
B. Silicone-based
, DOT 5 is silicone-based and incompatible with DOT 3, DOT 4, and DOT 5.1
fluids. It is not recommended for vehicles with ABS due to aeration issues.
10. A technician is bleeding the brakes on a vehicle with a metering valve. The
pressure bleeder is set to 25 psi, but no fluid comes out of the front caliper
bleeders. What is the most likely cause?
A. Bad proportioning valve
B. Bad pressure differential valve
C. Metering valve not opened
D. Residual check valve stuck
C. Metering valve not opened
A metering valve requires a minimum pressure (typically 75–125 psi) to open.
With only 25 psi from the pressure bleeder, the valve remains closed,
preventing fluid flow to the front calipers. The valve must be manually held
open during pressure bleeding.
11. On a car with disc/drum brakes, the front brakes grab quickly when light
pedal pressure is applied. This problem could be caused by a bad:
A. Proportioning valve
B. Pressure safety switch
C. Metering valve
D. Residual check valve
C. Metering valve
The metering valve delays the flow of brake fluid to the front calipers until
pressure rises enough for the rear drum brakes to overcome spring tension.
This prevents the front brakes from locking up during light applications. A
faulty metering valve can cause the front brakes to grab too early.
12. The driver of a vehicle with power disc/drum brakes says the brake pedal
moves slowly to the floor while maintaining pedal pressure at a stoplight.
What could cause this problem?
A. Leaking primary piston cup in master cylinder
B. Leaking power brake booster
