Maintenance & Service
How to Identify Brake Wear
Brakes tell you they are wearing out, usually in stages, and usually well before they become dangerous. Here is what…
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A red exclamation mark in a circle meaning the parking brake is applied or the brake system has a fault.
Can you continue driving?
No — stop safely as soon as possible
Either the parking brake is still applied, or the braking system has reported a fault. The most common fault behind it is brake fluid below the minimum mark, which means either a leak or heavily worn pads.
First check that the parking brake is fully off. If the light stays on with it released, stop somewhere safe.
At low speed, in a clear space, press the brake pedal firmly once. If it feels soft or spongy, sinks slowly under steady pressure, or the car pulls to one side, do not drive the car. A fluid leak can go from mildly worse braking to no braking with very little warning.
Before driving again, if the parking brake is off and the light is still on. Brakes are not a system to keep an eye on for a few days.
Maintenance & Service
Brakes tell you they are wearing out, usually in stages, and usually well before they become dangerous. Here is what…
Dashboard symbols are largely standardised; these are the models with guides that mention this one.
