Red Warning Indicator - Your brakes need immediate attention. Get it ASAP.

Yellow Warning Indicator - Caution. Your brakes needs attention.

There are two types of indicators for the brake system. One is for the hydraulic system and one for the antilock. When you apply brakes you are pushing fluid thru a series of hoses and metal lines. The pressure from that effort pushes the brake pads or brake shoes against the rotors or drums. The fluid acts as a solid form that conforms to the twists and curves of the hoses and lines. The lines need to be completely full so that the response from the pedal to the pads is immediate and firm. Any loss of fluid in the lines could cause a loss of pedal response creating a possible dangerous situation.

There is generally plenty of fluid in the system with a reserve amount stored at the brake master cylinder. As the pads wear thin, the system draws fluid from the reserve. When the levels reaches a predetermined minimum level, a floating sensor will activate a "red" warning indicator in the instrument panel. This indicator will illuminate more consistently as the brake pads wear further, eventually staying on all the time.

It's used as one way of indicating worn brake pads, and it also gives you a warning if a there’s a leak in the system. Being low or out of brake fluid is definitely dangerous. At times we will find that the system has a leak from a hose, master cylinder or wheel cylinders. The red brake warning indicator is also used to indicate parking brake is on.

Anti-lock Brakes

Anti-lock brakes are to prevent the vehicle from sliding to a stop, and are most effective in rain or snow. Vehicles have a speed sensor at each wheel. If a wheel tries to lock, the computer will let go of braking pressure to prevent it from locking.

A yellow "ABS" indicator comes on whenever the system is activated by rapid flashing. ABS staying on indicates a malfunction. Whenever the light malfunction indicator stays solidly on, the antilock system is disabled. This means if you're driving around with the lamp on and you panic stop or try to stop on slippery conditions, you are likely not going to get assistance stopping or the emergency system is compromised. The brake system in general will work so it's not completely dangerous. Just operate the vehicle with more caution (no tailgating) until inspection. There are no gray areas. If the ABS system light is off, the system is working, and if it’s on, it’s not working.

Common Warning Signs

If you suspect you have a brake problem, but aren’t sure, here are some common warning signs that your brakes may be going out.

Noises - Vehicles are not designed to have brake noise. Things that affect noises include worn pads or low-quality pads, and some materials are noisier than others. Brake pads have a frictional material bonded to a metal backing. Disc brake systems will work or stop the vehicle normally until the material is completely worn away. Upon reaching that point, the metal backing that is attached comes in contact with the brake disc, usually ruining them very quickly, and braking ability is compromised or becomes dangerous. If nothing else the cost of restoration increases significantly.

Pulling - If your car pulls to one side when you apply the brakes, this may indicate clogged hoses, suspension issues, a worn brake pedal, low brake fluid, binding calipers, drum brakes that are out of adjustment and sometimes bad wheel bearings.

Vibration or Shudder - This might mean warped rotors, overheating rotors or drums. Most often we are able to machine these components (true them with a lathe) so they can be reused. We will only ever charge for new rotors when they have become completely unserviceable.

Call us today if you are experiencing any of these warning signs while driving your car.