Identifying the Reasons Why Your Brake Light Comes On
Why Is My Brake Service Light On?
What is a brake service light? What do you do when it comes on? How seriously should you take it? These questions are frequently asked by car owners. Whether you’re looking for answers to these questions right now or you’re preparing yourself if your brake light does come on in the future, this seemingly insignificant light is crucial to your car’s safety and function. We’ll explain how to assess the situation and diagnose the problem when your brake service light comes on!
What Is a Brake Service Light?
For most cars, the brake service light will appear as a small red circle with an exclamation mark in the middle and two curved lines outside the circle. On other cars, it may simply appear as the word “BRAKE” in red. When it appears, it can indicate that there are any number of problems ranging from an activated parking brake to worn-down brake pads. Although there can be ambiguity regarding what issue the light is communicating, there are some initial tests you can run to clarify. For any deeper issues, you should take your car to your local mechanic to diagnose the root cause.
What Causes a Break Light to Come On?
If you notice the brake service light come on before you begin driving, do not attempt to drive because that can lead to more expensive and dangerous issues.
If the warning symbol comes on while you are driving, pull over as soon as it is safe to do so. Do not attempt to reach your destination until you know the problem and have fixed it.
Initial Problems to Look For
Once you have pulled over, there are two possible causes you can easily check for:
- Parking Brake Engaged: If the parking brake is engaged while driving, the brake service light will appear. Make sure the parking brake is completely in the off position, or it will harm your transmission and brake pads. If the parking brake is completely disengaged and the light is still on, move on to check your brake fluid.
- Low Brake Fluid Level: When the level drops below a certain point, a sensor triggers the brake service light to appear. You can check the brake fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir. If the level is low, perform a brake fluid change by refilling it, restarting your car, and checking if the light is still on. If it isn’t, you’re all set! If it is still on, you should call a tow truck to take your vehicle to the nearest auto service center.
More Complex Possible Causes
Is your brake light staying on after you’ve disengaged the parking brake and checked the brake fluid? There are a handful of other potential issues, including:
- ABS Malfunction: Although problems with the ABS (anti-lock braking system) trigger a separate ABS warning light on the dashboard, certain malfunctions may also trigger the brake light to appear.
- Sensor Defect: If the sensor that measures brake fluid level or the sensor connected to the parking brake fails, the light will be signaled.
- Worn-Down Brake Pads: When brake pads get worn down beyond a minimum thickness, a sensor is triggered that turns on the warning light.
- Hydraulics Losing Pressure/Fluid: This indicates there are other damaged/worn parts affecting the hydraulic pressure. If hydraulics start losing pressure, they will signal the brake service light.
These issues require an experienced mechanic to resolve. If you suspect any of these to be occurring, arrange for a tow truck to transport your vehicle to an experienced mechanic immediately.
FAQs
Can I Drive My Car with the Brake Service Light On?
No, you should not drive when your brake light comes on. If you continue to drive while it is on, that can cause further damage to your vehicle. As soon as the light comes on, you should find a safe area to pull over in.
Why Does My Brake Service Light Turn on When I Press the Brake Pedal?
If your brake service light turns on when you press the pedal, it can either mean one side of your vehicle is experiencing hydraulic loss or your master cylinder brake fluid is very low. These issues can eliminate your ability to brake at all, so do not drive until your vehicle is examined by an experienced auto technician.
What Is the Difference between the Brake Light and ABS Light?
Although both the brake light and ABS light pertain to your vehicle’s brakes, they indicate separate things. The brake light indicates a problem with your brake system, as described above.
On the other hand, the ABS light pertains specifically to your vehicle’s anti-lock braking system (ABS). Your vehicle’s ABS ensures your brakes don’t lock up while coming to a stop. If your ABS light comes on, take your vehicle to an experienced mechanic immediately.
Where Is the Brake Fluid Reservoir Located?
For most cars, the brake fluid reservoir is located in one of the back corners of the engine compartment, on top of the master cylinder, near the firewall—often on the driver’s side where the brake pedal is found.
Alleviate Your Brake Service Light Problems at City Auto Repair
Your vehicle depends on its brake system for safety and longevity. That’s why we at City Auto Repair are dedicated to high-quality brake service, whatever the job may be! We care about you and your vehicle’s safety the second you walk into our shop. Whether you need help with brake fluid or you need to replace your brake pads, City Auto Repair is here for you! If your brake light comes on, don’t risk your safety—come to City Auto Repair to get yourself back on the road fast!