Why is the brake light staying on in my Subaru?
As a Subaru owner, you rely on your vehicle's brake system to keep you safe on the road. However, if the brake light on your dashboard stays illuminated, it can be both concerning and confusing. At Kevin's Autos, with years of experience in car maintenance and repair, we’ve seen this issue many times. In this article, we’ll explore the common reasons why your Subaru’s brake light might stay on and what you can do about it.
Common Reasons for a Persistent Brake Light
The brake light on your dashboard is designed to alert you to potential issues with your braking system. Here are some of the most common reasons why it might stay on:
- Low Brake Fluid Levels: One of the most frequent causes of a persistent brake light is low brake fluid. Over time, brake fluid can deplete due to normal wear and tear or leaks in the system. Check your brake fluid reservoir and top it off if necessary, but be sure to address any leaks promptly.
- Engaged Parking Brake: If your parking brake is even slightly engaged, the brake light will remain on. Double-check that the parking brake is fully released before driving.
- Worn Brake Pads: Some Subaru models are equipped with sensors that trigger the brake light when the brake pads are excessively worn. If this is the case, it’s time to replace your brake pads to ensure safe braking performance.
- Faulty Brake Light Switch: The brake light switch, located near the brake pedal, can malfunction and cause the light to stay on. A professional inspection can determine if this is the issue.
- ABS System Issues: If your Subaru is equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), a problem with the ABS could trigger the brake light. This might require a diagnostic scan to pinpoint the exact issue.
Steps to Address the Problem
If your Subaru’s brake light is staying on, follow these steps to address the issue:
- Step 1: Check the parking brake and ensure it is fully disengaged.
- Step 2: Inspect the brake fluid level in the reservoir. If it’s low, add the appropriate type of brake fluid as specified in your owner’s manual.
- Step 3: Examine the brake pads for wear. If they appear thin or worn, schedule a replacement.
- Step 4: If the light persists, visit a trusted auto repair shop like Kevin’s Autos for a professional diagnostic. We can check for issues with the brake light switch, ABS system, or other components.
Why Prompt Attention Is Crucial
Ignoring a persistent brake light can lead to serious safety risks. Your braking system is one of the most critical components of your vehicle, and any issues should be addressed immediately. Driving with compromised brakes can increase your stopping distance and put you and others on the road in danger.
Trust Kevin’s Autos for Expert Brake Service
At Kevin’s Autos, we specialize in diagnosing and repairing brake system issues for all makes and models, including Subaru vehicles. Whether it’s a simple brake fluid top-off or a more complex ABS repair, our experienced technicians are here to help. Don’t let a persistent brake light compromise your safety—schedule an appointment with us today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it OK to drive with brake light on?
If the dashboard light remains on, it's telling you that thre is a brake system problem that could prevent you from stopping your vehicle. Turn off the engine and arrange to have the vehicle transported to your trusted mechanic.
Why is my Subaru brake light on?
The brake light is triggered by a float in the brake fluid reservoir. When the fluid is low the float will drop low enough to turn on the brake light. This is meant to indicate when your brakes are worn. So I would check your fluid level, and make sure that float is not stuck down.
What 2 reasons would cause your brake system warning light to come on?
The simplest (and oldest) light on your dashboard – the one most people refer to when they mention a brake system warning light – is the BRAKE light. When this light comes on, it means one of two things. Either the hydraulic fluid (brake fluid) in the master cylinder is low, or the parking brake is engaged.
Why does the brake light on the dashboard stay on?
When your brake light comes on, your car is letting you know that either your vehicle is low on brake fluid, the emergency brake is activated, there's trouble within the ABS unit, or there's a problem with the sensors.
What does it mean if your brake light stays on?
If your brake service warning light is always on, it could be due to a need for parking brake adjustment, worn brake pads, or hydraulic issues. If your brake service warning light turns on when you hit the pedal, it could be due to hydraulic loss on one side of your vehicle or low brake fluid in the master cylinder.
Why is my brake light not turning off in my Subaru?
Again,either the brake light switch is defective or it's not installed properly and needs adjusting.To do the adjustment,get under the dash and locate the BLS. Turn it 1/4 turn to unlock it,push it in the distance of 1 thread on a bolt and turn back the other way to lock it in place. That should fix it.
How do you fix a brake light that stays on?
Fixing this problem is as simple as replacing the switch, which is typically located on the backside of the brake pedal.
How to reset brake light?
Restart the Vehicle and/or Dashboard
Sometimes the problem isn't with the brakes. Instead, the brake warning light on the dashboard may indicate that the instrument panel itself needs a reset. For this, the car should be switched off and restarted. This will allow the dashboard a moment to go back to normal.
Why my brake light won't turn off?
The most common cause your brake lights stay on is because of a faulty brake light switch or sensor. It can also be caused by a faulty brake pedal or a malfunction in the electrical system. If you recently replaced the rear light bulbs when it occurred, you may have installed the wrong light bulbs.
Why is my brake light on when it's not on?
Why is the brake light on while driving? When your brake light comes on, your car is letting you know that either your vehicle is low on brake fluid, the emergency brake is activated, there's trouble within the ABS unit, or there's a problem with the sensors.
