What does an exclamation mark inside a circle on a car mean?
2 Answers
A circle with an exclamation mark on a car is the symbol for the handbrake warning light. The handbrake warning light is one of the indicator lights on the car's dashboard, used to display the status of the vehicle's handbrake. Reasons why the handbrake warning light may illuminate: 1. The handbrake switch is faulty; 2. There is a wiring issue; 3. The brake fluid level is too low. Steps to take when the handbrake warning light comes on: 1. Check if the handbrake lever is fully released; 2. Visit a repair shop to check for any brake fluid leaks; 3. Use a diagnostic tool at a repair shop to check for fault codes in the brake system and address any issues found according to the fault codes.
Last time I was driving, this warning light with an exclamation mark inside a circle suddenly lit up, and I was really panicked at the moment. Later, the mechanic told me it's called the brake system warning light, which can illuminate under two circumstances: either the electronic parking brake isn't fully released (I often make this mistake myself), or something much more serious—like insufficient brake fluid or completely worn-out brake pads. This is definitely not something to ignore. I remember one time my friend kept driving despite the warning, and the brakes almost failed. My advice is to pull over immediately and check the parking brake. If the light stays on after releasing it properly, call for roadside assistance and head to a repair shop right away—it's literally a matter of life and death.