Think about getting up within the morning for that street journey that you’ve deliberate for weeks solely to begin your automotive and see your brake gentle present up on the dashboard. It may be tempting to assume that offended purple gentle is only a glitch or that you may get it checked out later, however doing so is very unadvisable. Your automobile’s warning lights are there for a cause, and that cause is to provide you with a warning that one thing is probably improper along with your automotive. Your automotive’s brakes are integral to not simply your personal security but in addition in regards to the security of others on the street; your braking system is crucial security characteristic of your automobile, so when your brake gentle activates, that is your automotive’s approach of letting that there may very well be a probably critical difficulty.
We as automotive homeowners typically may not take note of dashboard warning lights as a lot as we must always. It is a mistake, although; you possibly can find yourself paying hefty service prices for changing broken elements later. What might have been a easy, cheap repair — like altering the brake fluid or swapping out a malfunctioning sensor — might lead to a large restore job requiring alternative of all the braking system should you ignore that brake warning gentle for too lengthy.
Trendy autos include superior sensors and pc methods that scan the automobile’s operations always to observe the automobile’s well being. If any of its warning lights are on, chances are high that the system has detected an actual hazard. However what truly may very well be the problem? Whereas an expert mechanic ought to deal with the prognosis, listed here are 5 widespread the explanation why that purple brake gentle is exhibiting up in your automotive’s dashboard.
Your parking brake is engaged
Parking brakes, also referred to as emergency brakes, are supplied in vehicles to make it possible for the automobile would not transfer when parked on a flat or inclined street. It would not matter in case your automotive is supplied with an electrical parking brake, a foot pedal brake, or a hand lever sort brake (which is slowly vanishing from fashionable vehicles); their most important goal is to stop the automotive from rolling when parked. The price of restore will differ relying on the system; a push-button electrical parking brake is usually costlier than a conventional hand-lever or perhaps a foot pedal brake. It is because the electrical parking brake (EPB) makes use of a specialised motor to have interaction the brake, whereas the opposite two methods make use of metal cables to activate the brakes.
The one factor in widespread between all of those several types of brakes is that, if they’re engaged, the purple brake gentle in your dashboard will gentle up. It is one of the crucial widespread causes for the brake gentle to activate. Whereas fashionable push-button brakes disengage robotically when the accelerator pedal is pushed, this will not be true for hand-lever-type brakes. When you’ve got an older fashion e-brake system, it’s crucial that you just test the place of the parking brake and launch it as soon as you’re able to drive.
Driving a automotive with parking brakes engaged won’t solely activate that purple brake gentle; it might additionally warp your brake rotors over time. It is because your parking brake applies steady strain to the brake mechanism. Driving round along with your brake mechanism underneath load like this generates the sort of extreme warmth and friction that may result in pricey repairs.
Your brake fluid stage is low
Most brake methods are hydraulic, counting on brake fluid to perform. The fluid is used to create strain on the brake calipers, which in flip push the brake pads to rub in opposition to the rotors to cease the automobile. For this reason brake fluid needs to be usually changed; with out it, the brake system will not have the ability to generate or switch sufficient drive to the rotors to convey the automobile to a standstill. There are several types of brake fluids obtainable available in the market, comparable to DOT 3, DOT 4, and DOT 5. Your automotive seemingly requires a selected sort of fluid, which is detailed in your proprietor’s guide.
One of many widespread methods to know in case your automotive’s brake fluid wants alternative is when your brakes are gentle, which implies that it takes extra time and strain to cease your automobile if you depress the brake pedal. You may also hear unusual noises if you step on the brake, suggesting that it’s time to attend to your brake fluid. Nonetheless, one of many best methods to know that your automotive may be working on low brake fluid is the purple brake gentle on the dashboard.
After all, there are a dozen different the explanation why that brake gentle has lit up, however low brake fluid is considered one of them. If the quantity of fluid in your system drops under the minimal stage, your automotive’s sensors will set off that warning gentle. Low fluid ranges may very well be as a result of you have not changed them in years, or there may be a leak someplace in your brake strains. Leaks enable air to enter the brake system and stop the fluid from placing strain on the brakes, resulting in brake failure.
Your grasp cylinder wants alternative
The brake system is sophisticated and has a number of elements. Other than calipers, pads, fluid, and levers, there may be additionally a grasp brake cylinder. The principle position of the grasp cylinder is to transform mechanical drive into hydraulic strain that prompts the brake calipers to cease the automobile. It’s essential for the grasp cylinder to be in fine condition, as your automotive’s brake system (and the way rapidly your automobile can cease) is determined by the situation of the grasp cylinder.
Your automotive’s purple brake gentle will illuminate in case your automobile’s system detects a problem with the grasp cylinder. There are different issues that might point out an issue with the grasp cylinder, comparable to lowered brake energy and extreme brake noise. Moreover, your brake could begin feeling spongy — your brake pedal will sink in slowly if you depress it — in case your grasp cylinder is broken.
When that purple brake gentle exhibits up in your dashboard, you need to get your automotive to your trusted service station to have the well being of your grasp cylinder checked out. Normally, a grasp cylinder is designed to final for as much as 150,000 miles, which is usually the lifetime of any given automobile. Nonetheless, common upkeep and care are crucial if you would like the grasp cylinder to stay in good situation all through that interval.
Your brake pads are worn out
One other widespread factor that might set off the purple brake gentle in your dashboard is worn brake pads. Brake pads can be found in several supplies and varieties, comparable to natural, ceramic, metallic, and semi-metallic, every having their very own distinctive traits. Nonetheless, whatever the materials, each sort of brake pad has a finite lifespan. Utilizing them past this restrict may be extraordinarily dangerous in your security and the general well being of your automobile. When the friction of the brake pads wears away, your automobile’s sensor system triggers the warning gentle on the dashboard, indicating that it’s time for brand spanking new brake pads.
Whereas it isn’t at all times crucial to exchange all 4 brake pads directly, it poses no hurt in getting all 4 of them inspected. This ensures balanced efficiency from all tires. Mileage and longevity of your brake elements rely closely in your driving habits. If you’re an aggressive driver with frequent and heavy braking, it ends in brake pads participating extra intensely than regular, thereby rising put on and tear. It can save you cash by studying to exchange brake pads your self; nonetheless, it’s crucial that you just buy the brake pads from a trusted model. SlashGear has discovered that a few of the greatest brake pad manufacturers come from corporations like Akebono, Wagner, PowerStop, and Raybestos.
It goes with out saying that brake pads are as essential as different elements of all the braking system. Should you see a warning gentle, or should you hear a scratching sound or the sound of metallic grinding collectively, it could be time so that you can pay a go to to your mechanic.
Your sensor is failing
Typically, despite the fact that there may be nothing improper along with your brake system, the purple brake gentle will seem in your dashboard. Why? As a result of there may be a problem with the sensor itself. Trendy autos are stuffed with sensors and superior mechanisms. Every part from fluid ranges and engine well being to wheel alignment and brake pad thickness is monitored by sensors. A malfunction in any considered one of these sensors can ship a false constructive, inflicting your dashboard gentle to activate.
Identical to each different a part of your automobile, sensors additionally age with time. Particles, electrical wiring points, or influence as a result of an accident can simply harm the sensors. Sensors associated to the brake fluid stage can typically get caught and set off the purple brake gentle despite the fact that you have got just lately topped off the brake fluid. Equally, sensors monitoring the parking brake or anti-lock braking system can glitch, main your automotive’s pc to consider that there’s something improper.
Nonetheless, you need to by no means ignore a brake warning gentle, as a result of there isn’t a surety that it is because of a sensor failure. It is best to at all times let a skilled technician diagnose the problem utilizing a pc and an onboard diagnostics (OBD) scanner and get to the basis trigger of the particular downside.
