Your vehicle is equipped with an early warning apparatus that can alert you to a problem within one of your vehicle systems. For your braking system, there are many different brake warning lights that may be part of your vehicle dashboard. In this month’s blog post, we review the brake warning lights and what they may indicate for the driver.
Anytime you start your vehicle, you will normally see the dashboard warnings temporarily light up and then extinguish. But when these dashboard warnings remain illuminated, that indicates a possible problem. Warning lights should always be addressed promptly. If neglected, a vehicle system could become more damaged, or it could result in a safety hazard. Since your brakes are an essential safety component, do not ignore any warnings that may appear for your braking system.
Common Braking System Warnings
Not all vehicle makes and models have the same warning lights. While there are standard ones that you will find in almost every vehicle, there are others that are dependent on the manufacturer.
The warnings that are more common and universal to vehicles, include:
- Brake Warning Light (generic)
- Parking Brake Warning Light
- ABS (Anti-Lock Braking) System Warning Light
Additionally, your vehicle may have other more specific brake warnings, which are self-explanatory:
- Brake Pad Warning Light
- Brake Fluid Warning Light
- Brake Light Warning Light
Is the Parking Brake On?
In most cases, the brake warning light is a reminder to release your parking brake. Most drivers have engaged the vehicle in drive, only to discover that the parking brake is still on. The warning light alerts the driver before any damage occurs. Once the parking brake is released, the light should reset and extinguish. However, if the parking brake is released and the light remains, there could be a communication issue between the switch and the dashboard. Have this checked out by a service professional.
Is Your Brake Fluid Low?
Another reason for the illuminated brake light may be the brake fluid level. Brake fluid acts as a hydraulic component of your brake system and there may be a leak in your brake lines. If the fluid is just low due to burn-off, then it can be replenished.
If you get this warning light, turn off the vehicle and check the brake fluid. Consult with your vehicle owner’s manual on the proper fluid level and where to find it under the hood. Brake fluid should be replenished but if the warning light continues, this could be a sign of a more serious problem. The vehicle should be towed and or service provided right away to avoid any safety issues.
Is your ABS warning light lit?
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, and the ABS warning light is lit, this may indicate a problem with the anti-lock braking system. The anti-lock braking system is a feature that became standard on vehicles after 2004 and prevents your wheels from locking up if the driver must slam on the brakes. The ABS prevents lock-up by automatically pumping the brake to continue engaging the wheels.
Like most of the dashboard lights, the ABS will illuminate for a moment during start-up but should extinguish once the vehicle is in operation. If not, there may be a problem with the ABS sensors, or wiring. If the ABS is experiencing a problem, it will shut down. This does not impact your regular brakes; however, this should be inspected by a service professional right away.
The next time your brake warning light(s) illuminate on your dashboard, pay attention to them. Have your braking system inspected by a service professional to determine the root cause of the issue. Contact us at Car Kings today to schedule an appointment.