As a car owner or a driver, you are responsible for maintaining the car you drive which includes monitoring the car’s dashboard and fixing any issues that may have caused any warning light to come on the dashboard.
The ABS light and the brake light are lights that indicate that something is wrong with either your Anti-lock Braking System or your brakes which needs immediate attention.
It is not common for both of them to come on at the same time, but if they do, would it be safe to continue driving the car?
No, it is not safe to drive with ABS and brake light on because the lights indicate a problem with your braking system such as ABS malfunction or brake system failure, which can compromise braking performance, stability, and control, increasing the risk of accidents.
Is it Safe to Drive with ABS and Brake Light On?
No! While it may still be possible to drive with ABS and brake lights on, it’s not safe to do so because if both the ABS and brake warning lights are illuminated on your car’s dashboard, it shows that there’s a problem with your braking system that needs immediate attention; therefore, it’s not safe to continue driving the car.
The major function of the ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) is to prevent the wheels from locking up during braking. For example, when a driver applies the brakes forcefully in emergencies or on slippery surfaces, there’s a risk that the wheels could lock up, causing the vehicle to skid.
It is the function of the ABS to detect when a wheel is about to lock up and modulate the brake pressure to that wheel, allowing it to continue rotating.
Therefore, when the ABS light comes on together with the brake light, it is not safe to continue driving your car because the ABS will no longer help to maintain traction with the road surface, enabling the driver to maintain steering control and stability during braking.
You should take your car to a mechanic where the cause of the warning lights will be diagnosed and fixed.
Why its Not Safe to Drive with ABS and Brake Light On?
Here’s why it’s never safe to drive with ABS and brake light on:
1. It Can Lead to Reduced Braking Efficiency
Since the ABS is a safety feature designed to prevent wheels from locking up during braking, allowing the driver to maintain steering control, when the ABS light is on, it means that the Anti-lock Braking System is not functioning properly; meaning that your vehicle’s braking performance may be compromised, especially in emergencies or on slippery surfaces.
You will not be able to brake as you used to. Not that your brake will not work, it will but the efficiency of the braking will be reduced which is very dangerous.
2. There’s a Malfunction in Your Brake System
The ABS and brake warning lights on your dashboard mean that there’s an issue with your braking system which could range from something as minor as low brake fluid to more serious problems like brake system failure or ABS malfunction.
If you continue to drive with these warning lights on, it could put you at risk of not being able to effectively brake, leading to accidents.
3. It May Lead to an Accident
Since driving with the ABS and brake light on equals to driving with impaired braking performance, it can increase the risk of accidents, especially in situations where quick and precise braking is necessary.
Without the ABS functioning properly, your vehicle’s wheels could lock up during hard braking, leading to loss of control and collisions.
4. It Affects Stopping Distance
If your ABS system is malfunctioning, it can result in increased stopping distances; meaning that it will take longer for your vehicle to come to a complete stop when you apply the brakes, leading to rear-end collisions or other accidents, especially in situations where quick braking is necessary.
I remember when I had my ABS and brake light on as a result of a problem with my master brake cylinder, my stopping distance was affected. I had to always use the brake earlier to avoid rear-ending another vehicle.
I remember the day I was on the road with a female friend. There was a speed bump ahead which I did not see on time because I was discussing and looking at my friend who was in the front passenger seat.
By the time I saw the speed bump, it was too late for my brake to reduce the speed. With that speed, I hit the bump. My shock absorber must have sworn for me that day.
With that being said, you need your brakes to always answer you whenever you step your foot on the pedal. Anything other than that is not safe.
And if after the accident, it was discovered the cause of the accident was because of your negligence to the warning lights on your dashboard, you will face the consequences.
5. Loss of Stability and Control
As reiterated earlier, the ABS not only helps prevent wheel lock-up but also helps to maintain stability and control during braking, especially on slippery surfaces.
However, driving without functional ABS increases the risk of losing control of the vehicle during sudden stops or evasive maneuvers, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
6. It Can Cause Damage to Other Components
If you ignore the problems that caused the ABS light and brake light to come on your dashboard and continue to driver the car, it can increase the issue, leading to more damage to your brake components or other related systems.
The end product of this is more costly repairs and longer downtime for the vehicle. Moreover, in some places, driving a vehicle with malfunctioning safety systems like ABS may be illegal and could result in fines or penalties if caught by the police.
Therefore, “I strongly recommend that you do not drive your vehicle if both the ABS and brake warning lights are illuminated on your dashboard.” Instead, have your vehicle inspected by a mechanic as soon as possible to diagnose and repair the issue that causes the lights to come on.
I remember the first time I had my ABS and brake lights on on my Lexus IS350, it happened that the right rear wheel speed sensor had gone bad hence causing both lights to come on.
The second time both lights came back on on the same car was when my master brake cylinder had an issue and my car would not brake efficiently. To the extent that sometimes, I’ll have to floor the brake pedal before the car would manage to slugishly stop. The stopping distance was drastically affected.
After replacing the brake master cylinder with a new unit, the lights went away and my brake started catching at once. So, its never good to drive with both lights on.
How Long Should I Drive with ABS and Brake Light On?
You should not drive for too long with the ABS and brake light on because it is not safe to do so.
Speaking from my experience, I recommend you avoid driving any distance with the ABS and brake lights on. As soon as you notice these lights illuminated on your dashboard, stop driving immediately, if it’s safe to do so, and tow your car to the mechanic for possible fix.
What Would Cause the ABS and Brake Light to Come On?
The ABS and brake warning lights can come on due to low brake fluid, worn brake pads or rotors, faulty wheel speed sensors, malfunctions in the brake system, electrical problems, etc.
Most times, the ABS module or pump failure can cause the ABS and brake light to come on on your dashboard because the module or pump is responsible for controlling the ABS’s operation. Therefore, when it fails, it can cause the warning lights to come on.
Also, in some cases, the ABS and brake warning lights may come on due to system calibration or initialization issues which can occur after repairs or maintenance work on the braking system. If you fail to do the calibration, the lights will continue to be on until the calibration is done.
What to Check When Your ABS and Brake Light Comes On
Here’s what you should check when both the ABS and brake warning lights come on simultaneously:
- Check the Brake Fluid Level: If both the ABS and brake light come on, you should check the brake fluid level in the reservoir under the hood because low brake fluid can trigger both warning lights to come on.
- Check the Brake Pads and Rotors: Check the brake pads and rotors for wear and damage. Worn-out brake pads or damaged rotors can lead to the brake warning light coming on. So, if you notice thin brake pads or uneven wear on the rotors, they may need to be replaced.
- Check the Brake System Components: Check for any visible signs of damage or leaks in the brake lines, hoses, calipers, and cylinders. Leaks or damage to these components can affect brake performance and trigger the warning lights.
- Check the Wheel Speed Sensors: Since the ABS system relies on wheel speed sensors to detect wheel speed and prevent lock-up, if the lights are on, you should check the sensors for damage, corrosion, or debris accumulation. Clean them if necessary, and ensure they are securely connected.
- Check the ABS Fuse and Relay: Inspect the ABS fuse and relay in the fuse box for a blown fuse. A blown fuse or faulty relay can cause the ABS warning light to come on. Replace any blown fuses and ensure the relay is functioning correctly.
Why is the ABS Light on But the Brakes Work Fine?
If the ABS light is on but your brakes are working fine, it means that there’s a problem with the ABS rather than the entire braking system.
For example, If one of your wheel speed sensors is faulty or dirty, it can trigger the ABS light to come on even though the brakes themselves are functioning properly.
Also, if there’s an electrical issue in the car such as a blown fuse, faulty relay, or wiring problem, it might not affect the brakes themselves but does indicate a problem with the ABS.
Be that as it may, even though the ABS light is on and the brakes seem to be working fine, it’s important to have the issue diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible to avoid having a more complicated issue with your car.
Conclusion
It is never safe to drive with your ABS light and brake light on your dashboard because they are not ambient lighting. In fact, from what I’ve experienced driving with both lights on, I wouldn’t recommend you to do so as it can lead to more complicated situations for you.
The worse thing that can happen is having a brake system that’s not working efficiently, hence, reducing your stopping distance and leading to an accident or a very dangerous situation especially when you need to quickly use your brakes.
