Can you still drive with a brake pad warning light?
As a car owner, seeing a warning light illuminate on your dashboard can be alarming, especially when it involves your brakes. The brake pad warning light is a critical indicator that should never be ignored. In this article, we’ll explore what the brake pad warning light means, whether it’s safe to continue driving, and what steps you should take to address the issue.
What Does the Brake Pad Warning Light Mean?
The brake pad warning light is designed to alert you when your brake pads are worn down to a level that requires immediate attention. Modern vehicles are equipped with sensors that monitor the thickness of your brake pads. When the pads wear down to a certain point, the sensor triggers the warning light on your dashboard.
Brake pads are a vital component of your vehicle’s braking system. They create the friction needed to slow down or stop your car. Driving with worn brake pads can compromise your ability to brake effectively, increasing the risk of accidents.
Is It Safe to Drive with the Brake Pad Warning Light On?
In short, it is not safe to continue driving with the brake pad warning light on. Here’s why:
- Reduced Braking Performance: Worn brake pads reduce your car’s ability to stop quickly, especially in emergency situations.
- Damage to Other Components: Ignoring the warning can lead to damage to the brake rotors, which are more expensive to repair or replace than brake pads.
- Increased Risk of Accidents: Compromised braking performance can lead to dangerous situations on the road.
While you may be able to drive a short distance to a repair shop, it’s crucial to address the issue as soon as possible. Continuing to drive with worn brake pads can escalate the problem and lead to costly repairs.
What Should You Do When the Brake Pad Warning Light Comes On?
If your brake pad warning light comes on, follow these steps:
- Stop Driving Immediately: If possible, pull over to a safe location and inspect your brakes. If you’re unsure about the condition of your brake pads, avoid driving further.
- Schedule a Brake Inspection: Contact a trusted auto repair shop, like Kevin’s Autos, to have your brakes inspected by a professional. A technician can assess the condition of your brake pads and recommend the necessary repairs.
- Replace Worn Brake Pads: If the inspection confirms that your brake pads are worn, have them replaced promptly to restore your vehicle’s braking performance.
Preventive Maintenance Tips
To avoid unexpected brake pad issues, consider these preventive maintenance tips:
- Have your brakes inspected regularly, especially during routine maintenance visits.
- Pay attention to any unusual noises, such as squealing or grinding, which may indicate worn brake pads.
- Replace brake pads as recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer or your trusted mechanic.
Conclusion
The brake pad warning light is not something to take lightly. Driving with worn brake pads can compromise your safety and lead to costly repairs. If the warning light comes on, prioritize getting your brakes inspected and repaired by a professional. At Kevin’s Autos, we specialize in brake maintenance and repair, ensuring your vehicle is safe and road-ready. Don’t hesitate to contact us for expert assistance!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with the brake pad warning light on?
It's best to drive your vehicle as little as possible when the brake warning light comes on and contact a brake specialist to diagnose and repair the issue. If you can't drive the car to the repair shop, a mobile brake repair service can come to you to diagnose and repair the issue.
What two reasons would cause your brake system warning light to come on?
The most common reasons your brake light is on:
- The Parking Brake is engaged.
- Brake Fluid is low or leaking.
- Worn brake pads.
- The ABS System has failed.
- Brake lights burned out.
- Faulty sensors.
How much does it cost to replace brake pads?
What's the Average Cost to Replace Brake Pads? $150 per axle is only a rough average of how much it costs to replace brake pads. You might end up spending as little as $100 or as much as $300; however, your total monetary costs will be lower if you end up replacing your brake pads at home.
How long can I drive on bad brake pads?
You shouldn't drive at all with grinding brakes.
Get it fixed immediately. Every mile risks more damage and reduces safety. It is essential to identify and resolve the underlying cause to ensure proper brake function.
How long do you have when the brake pad warning light comes on?
about 1000 miles
Although there are a number of variables that affect how long brake pads remain once the warning light illuminates, an approximate estimate of about 1000 miles (1600 km) of driving where effective braking will be maintained.
How urgent is a brake pad light?
If you see your brake warning light come on, you should address the problem immediately. While you technically can drive with the brake system warning light on, you should make a point to remedy the situation as quickly as possible.
What is the first thing you should check if your brake dashboard light is on?
If you've just started your car and notice that the brake system warning light is on, don't run the risk of driving the vehicle. First, check to make sure that the parking brake is completely disengaged. Some cars have a common warning light for the brake system and the parking brake.
What should be done if the brake warning light comes on while driving?
If the brake warning light comes on while you are in traffic or driving, don't panic. Your vehicle has more than one hydraulic braking system. So, while it may take a little longer to come to a complete stop than usual, safely pull over and have your vehicle towed to your home or to a trusted mechanic to inspect.
Is brake pad warning light a fail?
The MOT tester will automatically fail your vehicle if this light is illuminated, and you will have to replace your brake pads so that the car can pass on a retest.
How urgent are worn brake pads?
If your brake pads are worn, it's not safe to continue driving and you should have them replaced as soon as possible, unless you have mechanically attached friction to the backing plate, which will allow you to safely drive to the last millimeter of the life of the friction.
