Why does the P light on the Mercedes dashboard stay on?
3 Answers
The P light in a car is the brake system warning light, also known as the parking brake warning light. When the P light is on, it indicates a fault in the car's braking system. At this time, the car should be pulled over promptly for inspection to avoid potential safety hazards. There are three scenarios when an exclamation mark appears on the dashboard: 1. An exclamation mark inside a circled bracket: Indicates worn brake pads or insufficient brake fluid. The solution is to release the parking brake and check if the brake fluid is low. If the light remains on, visit a repair shop to replace the brake pads. 2. An exclamation mark inside a triangle: Indicates a fault in the external lights. The solution is to check if the lights are malfunctioning. If there is no fault but the light remains on, it is advisable to visit a repair shop for maintenance. 3. An exclamation mark inside yellow brackets: Indicates an issue with the tire pressure of one of the tires. The solution is to check if the tire is punctured or leaking air. If not, drive at a low speed to find a car repair shop, auto beauty shop, or roadside car wash, as these places usually have air pumps to inflate the tire. After inflating, observe the dashboard again. If the warning light still does not turn off, locate the settings in the car's central console and perform another tire pressure check. The light will turn off once the pressure is normal.
I encountered the same situation last time when driving my Mercedes-Benz. The P light on the dashboard stayed on constantly, which was quite worrying. I suspect it might be related to not releasing the handbrake, as the P light usually comes on when the handbrake is engaged after parking. Sometimes the auto-hold function being activated can also keep the light on, especially common when waiting at traffic lights. However, the most troublesome issue would be problems with the braking system, such as insufficient brake fluid or severely worn brake pads, which the sensors detect and then illuminate the P light. Poor electrical contact could also be a cause, particularly on rainy days when moisture can get in. I recommend you first park the car in a safe place, check if the handbrake is fully released, and then try restarting the engine. If the light remains on, it's best to go to a 4S shop for a comprehensive inspection immediately, as anything related to the brakes shouldn't be taken lightly—safety comes first.
When driving a Mercedes-Benz, if the P light on the dashboard keeps flashing, this situation is quite common in Mercedes-Benz vehicles. I have handled many similar cases, and the main reason may be that the automatic parking function is activated, especially during stop-and-go traffic when this function is easily triggered. Additionally, it's important to check whether the handbrake is fully released, as new drivers often forget to release it completely. Another key factor could be that the brake fluid level is too low, so it's recommended to open the engine compartment and check the brake fluid reservoir's scale. If none of these issues are present, then it might be necessary to consider a faulty sensor or a short circuit in the wiring. Some older Mercedes-Benz models may also trigger the warning light if the brake pads are worn thin. You can try firmly pressing the brake pedal a few times while stationary, as this can sometimes reset the system. The repair process isn't actually complicated, but it's best to have a professional technician use a diagnostic computer to check for fault codes.
