What does the brake pad wear indicator light mean?

The brake pad wear indicator light comes on when the brake pads are detected to be too thin.

A brake wear indicator is a fairly new addition to modern cars. Mostly found on higher end vehicles, this indicator light will let you know when it's time to check your brakes. The indicator will come on before the brakes are completely worn out so you have enough time to replace them before any damage occurs. Consult your owner's manual to find out how many miles you still need to have on your brake pads after the light comes on.

What does the brake pad wear indicator light mean?

Simply put, when this light is on, a sensor in the brakes has determined that the brake pads are too thin. There are 2 main ways that automakers achieve this diagnosis. The first is to use a small sensor built into the brake pad material itself. As the pad wears, the sensor eventually makes contact with the rotor, which completes the circuit and turns on this indicator. The second method is a position sensor that measures how much the pads must move before the brakes are applied.

What to do if the brake pad wear indicator light is on

If the light comes on, you should take the vehicle to an authorized technician to have the brakes replaced. Most likely, the light will go out after installing new pads. However, any problems with the sensors themselves will cause the light to turn on.

Is it safe to drive with the brake pad wear indicator on?

It is safe to drive with the indicator on for a short period of time. As mentioned earlier, the light will come on when you still have brake pad material left, but if you wait too long and keep going, you will run out of material and damage the rotors. Without some pad material, the brakes won't stop the car as quickly, so waiting too long is dangerous and increases the risk of a collision.

As always, our certified technicians are available to help identify any issues you may have with your brakes or wear indicators.