What Does the Brake Service Light Look Like In The Dash?

The modern car is designed to alert you to problems. So, what does the brake service light look like in the dash of your car? The answer is often surprising.

The modern car is all about technology. While the basic components remain the same [engine, transmission, driveshaft, etc.], much of the car is now computerized. The ECU unit serves a number of purposes. One is to make the car more efficient by controlling things such as braking power and fuel injection rates.

The ECU also has a second important purpose. It is designed to monitor various car systems. The brake system on your car is one of those systems. The brakes have tiny sensors built into them that measure everything from brake pad thickness to wheel rotation rates. These sensors are also used to control skids and the like with Anti-lock Braking Systems.

So, what happens when the ECU finds there is a problem with the brakes. As you can guess, it trips a light on your dash. Ah, but what does it look like? Surprisingly, there is no standard answer. Some cars have the word "brakes" light up. Others have a symbol. On my Mini Cooper, the brake warning light is a circle with two half circles surrounding it. Minis tend to be unique, so your car probably has something different.

There is an easy way to figure out what the brake warning light looks like. There should be a section in the back of your owner's manual that will identify all the symbols that can appear on your dash. The brake service light will certainly be mentioned.

In closing, I should mention something about the color of your brake service light. Many cars use the same light to indicate if service is needed or if something major is wrong with the brakes. How do you tell which is which? The light is usually yellow when the brakes need service, but red when there is a bigger problem. Again, check your owner's manual to see how your particular car is set up.

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