What To Do When Your Brake Lights Warning Comes On

It can be alarming to see a warning light suddenly appear on your dashboard. In particular, a brake lights warning is an alert designed to catch your attention and make you aware of a problem. However, the cause is not always an emergency.

In many cases, you can continue driving, so long as you get the issue checked out quickly. Other situations, however, you may need to safely pull over, stop, and seek roadside assistance.

How can you tell the difference? When is the brake light warning a polite alert to get the brakes checked, and when is it a sign that your brakes are unsafe to use right now? Here's where to spot the alert, and how to react:

Where Is The Brake Warning Light And What Does It Look Like?

The location of the brake warning light on the dashboard will vary from vehicle to vehicle. However, it tends to looks the same in every car:

• The symbol is a circle containing an exclamation mark.
• Said circle is surrounded on each side by rounded brackets.
• In some vehicles, there may even be the word "brake" under or next to this.

The light may behave differently based on the vehicle. In some cars, lights will flash to indicate urgency, while in others, they may display in different colours to indicate how serious the issue is.

For example, your brake warning light may appear in amber, orange, or another colour (such as blue or green) to let you know that something needs attention. Meanwhile, red often means "take immediate action".

You can check your vehicle's specific owner's manual to familiarise yourself with the meaning of each colour.

Why Do Brake Warning Lights Come On?

Your brake warning lights may start to flash, or display in amber or red, in the following situations:

• Your brake fluid has started to leak
• The car is experiencing a sensor failure, which erroneously triggers the brake warning light
• Your brake pads have become overly worn and need replacing
• The hydraulic brake circuits have failed

You may not detect these issues driving, as you can't always feel a problem when applying the brakes. However, it's crucial to take warning lights seriously. As soon as you can, get your brakes checked by an experienced technician like those from Autofusion.

Do I Need To Stop Driving When The Brake Lights Warning Comes On?

If you ever feel unsafe - or not in full control of the vehicle - while driving, you should always find a safe place to pull over and stop. However, a brake warning light doesn't always mean you need to urgently stop. Here's what to do in either situation:

• If your brake warning light comes on, but your brakes feel normal : Pull over and check the brake fluid levels. Top up if necessary and continue driving to a repair centre. It may simply be a fault with the sensor.
• If the warning light flashes, but you have to press the brake further than usual: Safely pull over as soon as you can. Call your breakdown service for assistance.

ABS Warning Lights vs. Brake Light Warnings

Most modern vehicles are fitted with an anti-lock braking system (ABS). This is a standard safety feature, which is designed to stop the wheels from locking up in situations where you need to brake urgently. This anti-skid system helps the car to maintain a good grip on the road surface, so that the driver can retain control.

As well as a brake warning light, your dashboard is likely to have an ABS warning light. This one is easy to identify, as it usually contains the initials "ABS" inside a circle. This is surrounded by curved brackets to either side.

If your ABS warning light flashes or displays in a different colour while you're driving, just like with any other warning light, it's crucial to stay calm. You should:

Proceed With Caution In Good Conditions

In most cases, you can continue driving when your ABS light comes on. Try to cautiously make your way to a repair centre to find out what the problem is. It could just be a faulty sensor, but you never know.

Drive Slowly In Bad Conditions

If it's wet or icy weather, you should be extra careful when continuing your journey. The roads may be slippery and braking distances will increase. Be sure to drive slowly and carefully until you reach home or a repair centre.

Pull Over If There Are Strange Sounds Or Braking Is Poor

If your braking power grows uncertain or you hear any unusual noises from the wheels, always find a safe area to pull over and stop. You may want to check your owner's manual for further information, or call your breakdown service just to be on the safe side.

What If Both Brake And ABS Warning Lights Come On?

There's only one thing to do if both of these warning lights start to flash at once. Safely stop the vehicle as soon as you can and call your breakdown service. The presence of both brake and ABS warning lights could mean that your brakes have suffered a major failure. If you continue driving, you risk the safety of other road users and yourself.

While it's important to stop as soon as you can, remember that your brakes may not be functioning properly. Stay calm and try to slow down gradually, using your brakes gently and avoiding sudden or hard braking at all costs. You shouldn't drive the car again until the fault is fixed.