What Does It Mean When the Handbrake Warning Light Is On?
2 Answers
It is possible that the handbrake is not fully released. Even if the handbrake lever is pulled down, it may not press the switch properly. In this case, the driver should repeatedly confirm whether the handbrake is fully released. Low Brake Fluid Level: This can also cause the handbrake warning light to illuminate. When the brake fluid level drops below the safety line, the handbrake light may stay on constantly. False alarms can also occur—for example, when driving uphill or braking sharply, the steep angle or fluid sloshing may trigger a false alert from the fluid level indicator. Worn Brake Pads: Or foreign objects lodged in the brake pads can also cause the handbrake light to stay on. Since the brake disc surface becomes uneven, stepping on the brakes may produce a sharp metallic grinding noise. This situation can also lead to insufficient braking force, longer braking distances, or a spongy brake pedal. Replacing the brake pads can resolve this issue.
As a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience, nothing scares me more than sudden red warning lights on the dashboard. The parking brake warning light typically indicates one of two issues: either the parking brake isn't fully released, or there's a problem with the braking system. This happened to me during a long-distance trip last time - initially I thought the parking brake was stuck, but upon inspection, I found the brake fluid was nearly depleted, which made me immediately pull into a service area. You should never ignore this situation - my approach is to pull over right away and try repeatedly engaging and releasing the parking brake. If the light remains on, you must check the brake fluid reservoir level; it's most likely due to a fluid leak or excessively worn brake pads. Honestly, this red light is more alarming than the engine malfunction light - anything related to brakes can't be taken lightly. In my case, replacing the brake pads ultimately solved the problem.
