React if Your Car's Brake Light Comes On
Your braking system is one of the most important systems in your car. Seeing a brake warning light come on can be a scary moment. This article will tell you how to react if your car's brake light comes on.
Contents
Steps
Standard Braking Systems
- Check the parking brake (also called an emergency brake) and attempt to release it. The warning light will stay on continuously if this device is engaged.
- Pull over at a safe place if the parking brake is not the culprit. Your brakes may be low on brake fluid or hydraulic pressure.
- Turn off the engine and consult your owner's manual for the location of the master brake cylinder and the type of brake fluid your vehicle needs.
- Open the hood of your car and take off the cap to the master cylinder reservoir. Look inside to see the level of fluid inside.
- Pour in brake fluid until the fill line. Replace and tighten the cap.
- Restart the engine and check your dashboard. The warning light should be off and you can continue to your destination.
- Take your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible to have your brakes thoroughly checked out. A leak or other braking problem must be diagnosed and repaired by a professional.
Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS)
- Seeing your ABS light cycle on and off while driving indicates a temporary glitch in the anti-lock braking system. Your brakes should remain completely functional. If this occurs often, you should get it checked out by a mechanic.
- Observing the ABS light come on and remain on indicates a more serious problem. The anti-locking system will shut down leaving only normal braking ability.
- The ABS will not engage on wet or slippery surfaces or during an emergency braking maneuver. Get your anti-lock brakes examined by a mechanic as soon as you can.
- Having the ABS and regular brake warning lights come on at the same time is an emergency. Pull over immediately and call for help. The vehicle is no longer safe to drive .
Warnings
- If the brake warning light does not go out after you add fluid, check the cylinder tank again. If the fluid level is very low, you have a major leak or multiple leaks. You should call for help and get the car towed to a mechanic.
- If you have to push your brake pedal to the floor, pump your brakes repeatedly or notice spongy soft brakes, pull over immediately and call for help. These are signs that your brakes are about to fail.
