What is the reason for the exclamation mark in a circle lighting up on the car?
3 Answers
The reason for the exclamation mark in a circle lighting up on the car is: 1. The parking brake is not fully engaged; 2. The brake fluid level is too low; 3. The brake pads have worn to their limit. Solution: First, fully engage the parking brake. If the light still remains on, add some brake fluid. If the light persists after adding brake fluid, it indicates a brake pad wear issue, and the brake pads need to be replaced. There are two other types of warning lights on the car: an exclamation mark inside parentheses and a triangle with an exclamation mark. If the exclamation mark inside parentheses lights up, it indicates a problem with the tire pressure of a certain car tire, which needs to be checked promptly. If the triangle with an exclamation mark lights up, it indicates issues such as fuel cut-off system intervention or malfunction, engine oil pressure sensor failure, external lights or parking sensor failure, or overheating of the dry dual-clutch transmission clutch.
Today when I was driving out, that red circle with an exclamation mark lit up, which gave me a scare. I quickly pulled over to check and realized I had forgotten to release the handbrake. Actually, this happens quite often. If the handbrake isn’t fully disengaged, the sensor detects it and triggers the warning. Additionally, the light can also come on if the brake fluid is low, due to insufficient system pressure. Last time during maintenance, the mechanic mentioned it could be caused by worn brake pads or a leak in the pump leading to low fluid levels. ABS system failures might also trigger it, though that’s less common. Overall, when this light comes on, it’s important to take it seriously because it’s related to brake system safety. Don’t push through—it’s best to find a repair shop as soon as possible. If you know a bit about cars, you can first check the brake fluid reservoir to see the fluid level.
A few days ago, the exclamation mark in a circle also appeared on my car's dashboard, and I think it might be related to the braking system. There are three common causes: first, the handbrake wasn't released or the sensor gave a false alarm—try restarting the car; second, the brake fluid is low, so you need to check the fluid reservoir level; third, there might be an issue with the brake discs or calipers causing abnormal pressure. I've also noticed that temperature changes can sometimes make the sensors overly sensitive and trigger false alarms. The solution is simple: first, release the handbrake to see if the light goes off. If that doesn't work, check the fluid level—if it's too low, add brake fluid. If you still can't figure it out, go to a repair shop immediately. Don't risk driving—safety first!
