Brakes are the most essential safety component in a vehicle. If your brake warning lights are on, it means there is a problem with your braking system. In the earlier car models, there was only one brake system warning light – but with new developments and different types of brakes, there are more brake lights to keep an eye on .
Here’s a complete guide on different brake warning lights and the possible issues that can cause these lights to illuminate.
DIFFERENT BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS
There are three different types of brake system warning lights among the car dashboard warning lights. Different symptoms in the brake system illuminate the warning lights on the dashboard to let the driver know about the problem. The following are the commonly found brake warning lights and why they turn on:
HYDRAULIC BRAKE WARNING LIGHT
Brakes consist of a complete system including brake lines and a master cylinder filled with oil. When you press the brake pedal, it activates the master cylinder to pump the oil to the system to engage brake callipers and stop the vehicle. Now, there is a sensor that detects when the fluid level is low in the brake cylinder and turns the brake fluid warning light on.
Car brake fluid level lowers if there is a leak in the spring system of brakes. After a certain level, the light can turn on as a warning sign to check brake fluids.
PARKING BRAKE WARNING LIGHT
Most modern vehicles have a sensor telling if the parking brakes are engaged or not. Parking brakes affect the transmission if the parking brake is engaged while driving the car. This sensor will turn on the parking brake warning light to let the driver know and disengage the car emergency brake at the same moment.
Although it is more of a reminder light, it can also be a warning that your car emergency brake requires servicing.
BRAKE PAD WEAR WARNING LIGHT
It is one of the brake system warning lights found in some new models. Brake pads tend to wear out after 48,000 to 50,000 kilometres. The sensors detect the worn-out friction material and the warning light turns on to inform the car owner to replace the bad brake pads.
ABS WARNING LIGHT
Anti-lock braking system is one of the modern safety features in a car that works efficiently on challenging surfaces such as wet or slippery roads. ABS warning light indicates the problem in ABS. You will have to take your car to the service technician to help you read codes to troubleshoot the problem in the ABS.
WHAT CAUSES THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT TO TURN ON
Here are the following causes that can cause your brake system warning lights to turn on:
- Bad brake pads: Noisy, smoky or spongy brake pads can be some of the signs indicating the worn brake pads. You can use a guide to replace brake pads and rotor or take your car to a mechanic or service technician to replace them.
- Brake fluids: Always keep a check on the brake fluid level. Low fluid levels can cause the brake system warning light to turn on. Brake fluids require a change every four years.
- ABS malfunctioning: If there is no problem with brake fluid or pads, the service technician can check the diagnostic codes for the ABS and solve the problem that is causing the brake warning light to come on.
- Sensors: There may be trouble with the brake sensors and not brakes as the sensors can wear out too with time.
- Bad anti-lock fuse: Brake warning lights illuminate on the dashboard due to a failing anti-lock fuse.
This was all you needed to know about the brake system warning lights. Overheating of car brakes can also cause a failure in the braking system. You can run a car diagnostic test from any vehicle service centre to know all the problems when you buy a used car in the UAE. You can also buy auto accessories in the UAE to upgrade your vehicle.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s top auto blog for more information on auto parts, common problems and troubleshooting.
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