What does it mean when the circle P light is on?
3 Answers
p light on indicates the parking brake, in the working state means the handbrake is in the braking position, not released properly. The parking brake refers to the manual brake installed on the vehicle, used to stabilize the car after it has stopped, preventing accidents caused by the car rolling when parked on the road. The common handbrake is usually located at the position where the driver's right hand hangs down. The exclamation mark on the dashboard can be divided into three situations: 1. An exclamation mark inside a circle with brackets: The brake friction pads are damaged, or there is a lack of brake fluid. The solution is to release the parking brake and check if the brake fluid is insufficient. If the light remains on, go to a repair shop to replace the brake friction pads. 2. An exclamation mark inside a triangle: There is a fault with the external lights. The solution is to check if the lights are faulty. If there is no fault and the light remains on, it is recommended to go to a repair shop for maintenance. 3. An exclamation mark inside yellow brackets: There is a problem with the tire pressure of a certain tire. The solution is to observe whether the wheel is punctured or leaking. If not, drive at low speed to find an auto repair shop, beauty shop, or roadside car wash, as these places usually have air pumps to inflate the car. Then observe the dashboard condition again. If the warning light still does not go off, you need to find the settings in the vehicle's central console and perform another tire pressure detection. The light will go off after normal detection.
Last time when I was driving to work, that circular P light suddenly came on, which really startled me as I was in a hurry on the highway. Generally speaking, the most common reason for this indicator light to illuminate is the parking brake – what we commonly call the handbrake not being fully released, or the electronic parking system getting stuck. After checking myself, I found the handbrake was indeed slightly loose, and it went off after I tightened it again. But if the light stays on even when the handbrake is properly released, it might be a sensor issue, such as dust accumulation or wiring problems, or more seriously, it could indicate insufficient brake fluid triggering a brake system warning. I've encountered this twice – once it was simply forgetting to release the brake, and another time the mechanic told me the sensor was dirty and just needed cleaning. If not addressed promptly, the illuminated light means the vehicle isn't fully releasing the brake, which can wear out the brake pads and even affect driving safety, especially when going downhill. My suggestion is not to panic when this happens; find a safe place to pull over and check the handbrake position. If that doesn't solve it, get it repaired as soon as possible to prevent a minor issue from turning into a major accident. Developing a habit of checking the brake before driving can help avoid a lot of trouble.
As a new driver who just got my license, I was driving my dad's car the other day when suddenly the circular P light on the dashboard lit up, which made me panic and unsure whether to keep driving. Later, I asked him and learned that this is the parking brake indicator light. Most of the time, it means the handbrake isn't fully released, or the electronically controlled braking system hasn't disengaged. New drivers like me often forget to release the brake properly or don't pull it far enough when nervous. Additionally, older cars might have aging sensors that trigger false alarms or loose wiring connections causing the light to come on unnecessarily. The solution is simple: stop the car, turn off the engine, and try operating the handbrake switch again. If it still doesn't work after a few attempts, it might be a system malfunction requiring professional inspection. The basic knowledge I learned in driving school mentioned that the light indicates incomplete brake release, which can lead to increased fuel consumption, poor acceleration, and potential long-term damage to the car. I recommend new drivers carry a user manual and communicate more with friends to avoid major mistakes due to lack of knowledge. Remember, safety comes first—if the light is on, don't push your luck, as small issues can turn into big problems.
