What are the reasons for the brake system warning light to illuminate?
2 Answers
The reasons for the brake system warning light to illuminate are as follows: 1. Severe brake pad wear: Brake pads are divided into two types, those with sensor wires and those without. For brake pads with sensor wires, when the wear reaches the limit position, the sensor wire will automatically complete the circuit, triggering the warning light. Brake pads without sensor wires do not automatically alert but will produce a "metal-on-metal" hissing sound. 2. Brake fluid: Brake fluid plays a crucial role in the vehicle's braking system. 3. Other factors causing the brake system warning light to illuminate: Such as brake system oil leakage, false alarms, etc.
Last time I was on a long-distance drive, the brake warning light suddenly came on, which made my palms sweat. I pulled over to check and found the brake fluid reservoir was almost empty—there was a small leak and the fluid had slowly drained out. It could also be that the brake pads were worn too thin, and the sensor detected the limit and triggered the automatic warning. A fault in the ABS system can also cause the light to come on, such as a malfunctioning anti-lock module. Ignoring this warning is extremely dangerous—if the brakes fail at high speed, the consequences could be disastrous. I recommend checking the fluid level and pad thickness during regular maintenance, and occasionally popping the cap to take a look yourself. If the light comes on, pull over immediately—don’t rush to keep driving fast—and seek help or take it to a shop for repair. Make it a habit to inspect the brake lines for cracks, and don’t delay fluid changes too long, ensuring safety comes first while driving.