brake service light

What Does The Brake Service Light Mean

Sep 2, 2014 Comments Off on What Does The Brake Service Light Mean Brake Blog 88,248 Total Views  

Your vehicle has many warning lights on the dashboard that indicate multiple warnings related to car maintenance, but when they light up, do you know what they truly mean. Depending on the year, make, and model of your vehicle, one important light is your brake service light. If your brake service warning light on your dashboard is lit, it may indicate there is an issue with your braking system equipment. It is also not normal for this light to be on constantly, and should not be confused with the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) light. While both lights correspond with the braking system, your brake service warning light is specifically dedicated to your vehicle’s brake system.

Brake Service Warning Light Indications

The main function of your vehicle’s brake warning light, which is typically lit up in red or orange, indicates that your parking brake (emergency brake) is engaged; you should notice that each time you pull the emergency parking brake, your brake service light comes on. Once you release the brake, this light should turn off as it is there simply as a reminder for you to release the brake before driving the vehicle. If you fail to release the parking brake prior to putting your vehicle into motion, you could cause faster wear of your brake pads and linings that are connected to the brakes or other excessive damage.

Brake Service Light Indicating Repairs

Although your brake service light may indicate different service needs of your vehicle’s brakes, the typical brake repairs that are needed due to the light coming on is commonly related to the brake fluid. Your brake light will come on if your vehicle’s brake fluid level is low or empty in the master cylinder. If light comes on and your parking brake is not engaged, checking your brake fluid is one of the first steps you should take. Without the proper amount of brake fluid in your system, it will cause a loss of brake pressure and could be a serious danger since your vehicle may not be able to stop when you apply the brakes. If you take on the task of replenishing the brake fluid yourself, be sure to be very careful when handling the brake fluid; it can cause stains and damage the painted surfaces of your vehicle. For a specific list of what the brake service light means for your car, you should refer to your vehicle’s owner manual.

Additional Brake Service Warning Light Information

In some vehicles, the brake light may indicate that the brake pads are worn down. Because most brake pads are designed with wear indicators that cause a high-pitched squealing or squeaking when you apply the brakes, the brake service light will likely stay on until the brake repair is complete and the light is reset.

The braking system on your vehicle is designed with all types of diagnostics, and in the event of a brake malfunction, as a safety precaution it is divided into two separate hydraulic circuits. If one of the two hydraulic circuits loses fluid pressure or fails completely, your braking system can still allow you to stop. No matter the reason or issue, when your brake service warning light comes on and is not due to your parking brake being engaged, you should have brake repair performed on your vehicle. If you do not want to have to take time off work, skip a class, or miss an important appointment, let brake repair come to you. With Stop on a Dime mobile brake service, you don’t have to let your brake warning light stay lit too long at all; we will come to you for any brake repair. Our ASE certified technicians can perform mobile brake service in Dallas, Addison, Lewisville, Irving, McKinney, and anywhere in between. Just call 972.965.6827, text your vehicle’s YR/Make/Model/ZIP to 214.695.9878, or complete or contact form.

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