# Brake light comes on on bumps

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-light-comes-on-on-bumps/63609>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** mazda5, mazda, brakes, lights\
**Created:** [April 11, 2011, 8:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-light-comes-on-on-bumps/63609 "2011-04-11T20:02:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MinMcQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@MinMcQ](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MinMcQ)\
**Post date:** [April 11, 2011, 8:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-light-comes-on-on-bumps/63609/1 "2011-04-11T20:02:00Z")

</div>

Hi there, in a recent show a listener described the exact problem I just started to have - the dash hand brake light pops on when i go over bumps or up my driveway. Tom & Ray said it was a fluid level problem but I don’t remember which it was. Was it brake fluid or power steering fluid or something else? Can anyone help?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\
**Post date:** [April 11, 2011, 8:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-light-comes-on-on-bumps/63609/2 "2011-04-11T20:27:09Z")

</div>

Brake fluid.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [April 11, 2011, 10:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-light-comes-on-on-bumps/63609/3 "2011-04-11T22:13:41Z")

</div>

Yup, shadowfax is correct.  
Your brake fluid is low enough for the float in the master cylinder to trigger the warning light on the dashboard.  
That light serves double duty as a warning that your e-brake is on, and/or that your brake fluid is low.

When the level of your brake fluid drops, it indicates that–  
Your brake pads are worn, possibly very worn, and need to be checked/replaced  
and/or  
There is a leak in the brake hydraulic system

So–you need to get this car to a competent mechanic a.s.a.p., before you lose the ability to stop the car.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![EllyEllis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f14d63/32.png) [@EllyEllis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/EllyEllis)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2011, 3:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-light-comes-on-on-bumps/63609/4 "2011-04-12T03:48:54Z")

</div>

Which fluid do you think pertains to the brakes? The brake fluid or the power steering fluid?? Surely not the washer fluid.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MinMcQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@MinMcQ](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MinMcQ)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2011, 4:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-light-comes-on-on-bumps/63609/5 "2011-04-12T04:55:16Z")

</div>

Thanks for your help.