A problem with the brake pads in your car can be very dangerous and should never be ignored. Brake pads that are too thin can cause issues with stopping your car when needed. In this instance, you will see a brake pad warning light on your dashboard.
Why is My Brake Pad Warning Light On?
When the brake pad warning light is on, this means that the sensor in the brakes has detected that the pads are too thin. Thin brake pads can be very dangerous to drive on and can leave your car struggling to stop when you press on the brakes, which is why this light should never be ignored. While your car will still be safe to drive for a certain number of miles after the light comes on, you should have the brakes checked by a professional as soon as possible.
What is the Brake Pad Warning Light?
The brake wear indicator light is a fairly new addition to today’s modern cars. It is mainly found on higher-end cars and is there to let you know when it is time to have your brakes checked out. This light comes on before the brake pads are completely worn to make sure that you have the time you need to have them replaced before they become too dangerous. Your car owner’s manual will provide you with further information on how many miles you will be able to safely drive on your current brake pads after the warning light has come on.
What Does it Mean When the Brake Pad Warning Light is Flashing?
If the brake pad warning light is flashing, this could indicate seriously worn brake pads or a problem with the braking system that will need professional attention.
How Does the Brake Pad Warning Light Work?
When the brake pad warning light appears on your dashboard, the brakes sensor has determined that the brake pads have reached a certain level of thinness. This is often done with a small sensor that is embedded into the material of the brake pads themselves. Over time, the brake pads will wear out and the sensor will come into contact with the rotor, which indicates that the brake pads are thin and trigger the warning light to switch on. In other cars, there is a position sensor that measures how much the pads have to move before the brakes are applied, and this will switch the light on when the brakes have to move a certain distance.
What are the Common Reasons the Brake Pad Warning Light Will Come On?
The brake pad warning light will come on when the sensor in the brakes detects that there is not a lot of brake pad material left. The purpose of the brake pad warning light is to inform the driver that the brake pads are getting thin. However, there are some other issues with your brakes that might cause a warning light to appear on your dashboard. These are:
- Low on brake fluid
- The handbrake is still on or there is a fault with the handbrake
- The brake pads are worn or damaged
- One or both of the brake lights are not working
- Low voltage battery is leading to brake light issues
- Anti-lock brakes sensor warning
Brake Pad and Disc Wear
The most common reason for the brake pad warning light to come on is that the brake pads and discs are worn. When these have been worn severely, which happens over time as you drive your car, the brake pads have to travel a longer distance to apply the correct pressure when you press the brakes. This requires more brake fluid to ensure that the extra distance is covered. This can then lead to further problems such as a low brake fluid level.
Damaged Brake Pads
Damage to your brake pads can also cause the warning light to come on. In some cars, this is a separate warning light. Driving with damaged brake pads can be dangerous, so if this light comes on when your brake pads are fairly new, it’s usually an indicator of damage that will need to be checked as soon as possible.
Is it Dangerous to Drive with the Brake Pad Warning Light On?
It will usually be safe to drive with the brake pad warning light on for a short period of time. This light will usually be programmed to come on when you still have some brake pad material left. However, you should get the problem looked at by a professional as soon as possible. Continuing to drive for too long with the brake pad warning light on will mean that you run out of brake pad material and risk damaging the rotors. Along with this, having no brake pad material left will mean that the car will not stop as quickly, which can seriously increase your risk of a collision.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix the Brake Pad Warning Light?
Usually, the brake pad warning light will only be switched off when you replace the brake pads. The cost of new brake pads will vary depending on your car. In the UK, the average cost of replacing the brake pads and discs is around £250. Book a diagnostic test for your car if the brake pad warning light has come on.
Will My Car Fail its MOT if the Brake Pad Warning Light is On?
Yes. Worn brake pads are classed as a serious fault in the MOT, if they have reached the level required for the brake pad warning light to be switched on. If you take your car for an MOT and the brake pad warning light is on to indicate either wear or damage, this will be an automatic fail and you will need to replace the brake pads in order for the car to pass the test. However, some wear and tear on the brake pads are normal. So, if your brake pads are a little bit worn and the warning light has not come on, it may still pass the test depending on the level of wear. An advisory may be given if the brake pads are getting close to dangerous levels of wear.