What does the brake warning light (handbrake, parking brake) mean?

When the brake warning light is on, your brakes may not work properly. The parking brake may be on or the fluid level may be low.

There are 2 main types of brake warning lights. One tells you that the parking brake is on, indicated by the letter "P", and the other warns you that there is a problem with the system, indicated by the sign "!". Many car manufacturers combine them into one light source to simplify things a bit. Usually the word "brake" is also written out.

What does the brake warning light mean?

As mentioned earlier, the brake light may be on because the parking brake is on. If disengaging the parking brake does not turn off the light, then the computer has detected a problem with the brake system. Most often this can be due to a brake fluid problem.

A fluid level sensor is built into the brake fluid reservoir, which constantly monitors the presence of a sufficient amount of fluid in the system. As the brake pads wear, more fluid enters the line, lowering the overall level in the system. If the pads become too thin, the fluid level will drop too much and the sensor will trip. A leak in the system will also trip the sensor and the light will come on to alert you when the level is low.

What to do if the brake warning light is on

If the indicator is on, first make sure the parking brake is fully released, and then check the fluid level in the reservoir. If none of these are causing any problems, you should check and adjust the parking brake cable if necessary. A cable that is not adjusted may not fully release the parking brake even if the handle is released. If the vehicle is low on fluid, check the pads and brake lines for leaks or worn parts.

Is it safe to drive with the brake light on?

Depending on how severe the problem is, the car may or may not be safe to drive. If the light comes on, you must safely pull out of the lane to check the parking brake and fluid level. With a severe fluid leak, you will not be able to use the brake pedal to stop the vehicle quickly and you will have to use the parking brake to slow the vehicle down. This is risky as the parking brake is not as effective at stopping the car as the brake pedal.

If your parking brake doesn't fully disengage, it's a good idea to have your car towed as the constant drag is bad for your car's transmission.

If your brake warning light is on and you can't find the cause, one of our certified technicians can help you diagnose the problem.