3 Reasons Why Your Brake Warning Lights Turn On
Posted on: 16 February 2016
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A braking system is one of the most important components of a car because it keeps you safe and allows you to exercise greater control over your driving speed. Modern technologies ensure that brakes don't fail regularly, but there are instances when they do and your brake warning light will come on. This guide is designed to help you understand why your brake warning lights turn on. You will need to take your car to an auto repair shop to get the brake issue fixed to stay safe.
Low Brake Fluid Or Worn Out Brake Pads
A brake warning light usually turns on when you have low brake fluid, which usually occurs when you have worn out brake pads. As the brake pad wears out, the caliper piston needs to extend to stay in contact with the rotor. This may result in excessive brake fluid use as it fills the area inside the caliper once the piston extends. Apart from refilling brake fluid, you may also need to get your brake pads replaced at an auto repair shop. The type of brake fluid needed by your car is available in your owner's manual.
Leaking Brake Fluid
Leaking brake fluid is another reason why your brake warning lights will turn on. If the brake fluid leaks out, your brakes will not be able to apply pressure on the car to stop it, so you must get this problem checked immediately at an auto repair shop. Your mechanic will also check the brake fluid reservoir to check for leaks and will undertake the repairs necessary to close up the leak. Keep in mind that the brake fluid can leak either in the master cylinder or in the brake lines, so the cost of fixing it will depend on the extent of the leak.
Damaged Speed Sensor
The speed sensor located on the driver's side of the dashboard reads your tyre rotating speeds and sends information to the control panel of your car. If the speed sensor is faulty or damaged, then the anti-locking braking system will stop working properly and will cause your braking lights to turn on. You will need to take your car to an auto repair shop to check the problem with the speed sensor. In some cases, they may simply need to be cleaned up properly by a mechanic to start working again.
If your braking light turns on for any of these reasons, be sure to visit an auto repair shop immediately to fix your problem for a safer drive.