Ask a Automotive Brake Engineer

[Brakeman]

The brake light in my car came on, I had my breaks checked and changed, and the brake light remains on.  The break shop told me it was probably an electrical issue.  A regular mechanic said my car is so old (it's a 2000, with about 250k miles on it), fixing the electrical system would be silly, probably cost more than the car is worth.

Now that I can't trust my emergency lights, how can I tell when I need new breaks?  Just when they start to feel mushy? That seems dangerous.

No, they will squeal when the metal "pad wear indicator" starts to rub the rotor. That is unless you have a newer car with the electronic pad wear indicators. The "alert" light on the panel refers to brake fluid levels found under your hood. Unless your brake system is leaking it shouldn't alert. Check the fluid level. If it is low and you havent worn your pads completely out, then you probably have a leak and you should find it! If it is just the level sensor, that is easily replaced, any shade tree mechanic should be able to do it for about $25 bucks. If your car is worth less than $50 then maybe I agree with the guy .. I dunno about your car