Brake warning light

[sonne]

The brake warning light is showing on my polo and the brakes feel very weak, it takes me a long time to stop. I looked at the brake fluid reservoir and its about 1cm over the max level. Should i just open the lid and take enough out so it's back under the max level or could it be something else. Thanks.

[Tim_GTi]

What's the situation on your brake pads?

[sonne]

Situation is, i dont know as i'v only just got the car but it has passed an mot within the last month so i assume there ok..

[Tim_GTi]

Give them a check first before anything. Depending on what wheels you have you can check without having to remove them, or just by jacking up the car.

[sonne]

ok how do i check them exactly, what i'm i looking for..

[Tim_GTi]

This is what it'll look like behind the wheels:


These are brake pads:


The bottom ones in that picture are showing you what the side looks like that wear over time. You want to check yours to see how thin they are.

Here's is a picture of a worn pad against a new pad (worn pad in front)


Now with reference to the first picture, have a look at your pads to see what condition they are. There are TWO per wheel. One in front of the disc as you look at it, and one to the back.

MOT will fail any brake pad with a friction material of less than 1.5mm thickness. If any are below 2mm I'd get them replaced.

[sonne]

Ok the light isn't showing now, it was probably just the handbrake not down fully lol, thanks for your help though.
I will check the pads if it comes back on.

[polo_mad]

tats not good