What light comes on when brake fluid is low?
1 Answers
The handbrake warning light will illuminate when the brake fluid is low. This is because there is a fluid level sensor inside the brake fluid reservoir that monitors the amount of brake fluid. If the brake fluid level drops below the position of this sensor, it indicates a decrease in brake fluid, alerting the driver to inspect the brake system. Brake fluid levels can decrease due to thinning brake pads. Typically, brake pads have a service life of about 80,000 kilometers. Frequent use of the vehicle and frequent braking naturally increase the number of times the brake pads are subjected to friction, leading to faster wear. Conversely, less frequent use of the vehicle and a driving style that relies more on engine braking before applying the brakes will result in much slower brake pad wear. As brake pads wear down over time, the pistons inside the brake calipers gradually extend outward to compensate for the gap created by the worn pads. These pistons are pushed by the pressure generated by the brake fluid when the brakes are applied. The adjustment of the pistons to fill the gap increases the internal space of the brake calipers, which is then filled by the brake fluid. This ultimately causes the brake fluid level in the reservoir to appear significantly lower.
