The “Check Brake System” warning light indicates a problem with one of the several components of the brake system. It is a critical warning, and you shouldn’t drive the car when this light is on.
This light turns on or flashes when the car’s processor detects a problem in the brake system, and you should get it inspected at the earliest. Even if it’s a minor problem, you can’t know where the fault lies until you get it checked.
What Should You Do When the “Check Brake System” Warning Light Is On?
When the “Check Brake System” warning light is on, you are driving a very high-risk vehicle. The vehicle safety stands compromised as the Brake System is a critical component of the vehicle’s overall security. But, how you handle the situation depends on the type of “Check Brake System” warning light that’s on.
Old cars used to have a single ‘Check Brake System’ light to indicate all kinds of problems with the brake system, hydraulic, electrical, and mechanical. Cars manufactured these days have at least four different warning lights to indicate faulty brake system components and functions. The all-in-one Brake Light, the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) warning light, the Parking Brake light, and the Brake Pad Wear Indicator light.
The All-In-One Brake Light
If you drive a car with only one brake warning light, you must immediately stop driving, pull off the vehicle to the side of the road, and get help. Get your car serviced or have a mechanic check the brake system to gauge where the problem lies and deal with it accordingly.
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
The ABS warning light turns on when your vehicle is spinning out of control, and you need to stop the car immediately. The ABS indicator is especially helpful when driving on slippery, uneven, sandy, snowy, and wet terrain.
The ABS prevents the brakes from locking when you are in dire need of control. Not only does the ABS help you exercise better control over your steering, but it also indicates that you need to stop the car soon.
The Parking Brake Light
The Parking Brake light, also known as the “Emergency Brake Light,” is just a reminder that your parking brake is engaged. It is not a severe warning, and you simply need to disengage your parking brake to turn it off.
Failing to disengage the parking brake might indicate a fault with the car hydraulics like low fluid, or an electrical problem, which should be inspected as soon as possible.
The Brake Pad Wear Indicator Light
This Brake Pad Wear warning indicator is only available in the latest models of most cars. The name of the brake is self-explanatory and indicates that your brake pads are worn out and need replacement. Although not critical, it’s best to get them replaced sooner rather than later.
Regardless of the type of brake warning light that’s on, Brake System defects are critical failures that compromise the vehicle’s safety and should be dealt with as soon as possible.
