Brake light comes on sometimes when I brake

[Terruko]

My brake fluid is low, maybe that’s why. My question is, can I just put some brake fluid in it and call it a day or do I have to remove the old brake fluid and put new one in it?

[PetrolioBenzina]

Proper terminology and nomenclature is important.

You have three brake lights that should illuminate when depressing the brake pedal. Are two of them not working? Brake lights do not normally have brake fluid in them, that could be the cause of the intermittent illumination of one and the failure of the other two and could also explain the low level in the brake-fluid reservoir if your brake lines are indeed also hooked to the brake lights somehow.

I'd add brake fluid to the reservoir just to make sure. No need to drain and bleed unless your brakes are mushy and the brake lights bubble when you get on the brakes. Brake fluid can be real hard on plastic, too, so keep an eye on the brake lights for leaks.

[humfrz]

If it's the emergency brake light coming on ....... I'd suggest you just add some brake fluid .....


humfrz

[PetrolioBenzina]

Originally Posted by humfrz

If it's the emergency brake light coming on ....... I'd suggest you just add some brake fluid .....

humfrz

Or the traction-control light. OP is unclear.

[bcj]

Most usually brake fluid being on the low side means that it has migrated out to the calipers to make up for the brake pads being worn away.
May want to check on the pad thickness currently.
Changing those and pushing the fluid out of the calipers would move the "lost" back into the reservoir.
As long as you're farting around with it anyway, bleed in new fluid too.

[ermax]

For sure do not top it off without checking the pads first. If you top it off and then later find out the pads are gone, you will need to take fluid back out or else it will overflow and make a mess when you put the new pads on. As bcj says, it’s usually an indication of pads being worn. If the pads are good and it’s low then it’s getting lost somewhere else. Check around the brake pedal for fluid. If there is fluid there then it’s the master cylinder. Also check the inside of your rims for a mess because a leaky caliper will often drip onto the rims and get slung around.

[Terruko]

Originally Posted by humfrz

If it's the emergency brake light coming on ....... I'd suggest you just add some brake fluid .....





humfrz

Oh, it is the e brake light. I took the car to the dealership for it’s 60k service on monday and in the paper I got it said the brakes were fine, but last time I took it to get an oil change it said this.



I’ll add brake fluid and see if it helps, thanks everyone.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Terruko

Oh, it is the e brake light. I took the car to the dealership for it’s 60k service on monday and in the paper I got it said the brakes were fine, but last time I took it to get an oil change it said this.



I’ll add brake fluid and see if it helps, thanks everyone.

Do NOT just add fluid. It went someplace. If your brake pads were down two visits ago they didn't magically regenerate this trip. They are worn to the point your fluid is low enough to trigger the warning light and adding fluid isn't going to fix the root cause. Take it back and have them actually look at the pads this time.

[ermax]

Originally Posted by Terruko

Oh, it is the e brake light. I took the car to the dealership for it’s 60k service on monday and in the paper I got it said the brakes were fine, but last time I took it to get an oil change it said this.



I’ll add brake fluid and see if it helps, thanks everyone.

Wow, your fluid is low yet the dealership said your brakes were fine. I think it’s time to go to another dealer.

[humfrz]

Well, for sure your brake pads are getting down there.

Adding fluid might keep the light from coming on, but, it won't add to the pads.

However, I doubt that they are now down below 4 mm from 7-8 mm, just 7,500 miles ago.

Bubba says they are most likely good for another 5-10,000 miles.

I reckon @Ultramaroon would recommend all new pads, rotors and calipers ..... he always goes first class.

@Tcoat recommends new pads ...... because he's in the brake business and most likely gets some sort of kickback ....... somehow ....... it's a balance of trade thing.


humfrz - senior master brake specialist - retired..........

[PetrolioBenzina]

The light is telling you there is a fault with the brake system. Get an actual answer.

[ToySub1946]

Attached shows new and minimal specs for all brake linings. (From 2012 BRZ service manual, taken from this site).

[ToySub1946]

Terruko,

"My question is, can I just put some brake fluid in it and call it a day or do I have to remove the old brake fluid and put new one in it?"

This is >poor advise< from me, but here it is. I'd throw caution to the wind. Add a minimal amount of new brake fluid to it's reservoir (like 1 to 1 1/2 ounces only), just enough to make that instrument cluster brake light stay off.
You don't want to fill to the max level, as later, when new pads are needed level will then go up by itself.

Being a former auto tech, I firmly believe in giving her only what she begs for. Never know, you might just decide tomorrow to trade her in.


Attempting to read what the tech wrote...appears left front disc brake pad has 4mm remaining. Minimal would be 1.5mm as it's limit. So that one needs to be checked again, next service. Possibly a New Year's Resolution. Have a nice Holiday season.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by humfrz

I reckon @Ultramaroon would recommend all new pads, rotors and calipers ..... he always goes first class.

Calipers?

I'll admit I'm a sucker for fresh rotors, though.