What Causes A BMW 530i Red Brake Light On?[With Solutions]

The BMW 530i is a true class in the automobile industry; this German-manufactured car has every high tech feature you can expect it to have. But, sometimes, you will notice that the brake light comes on when driving. So, what would cause a BMW 530i red brake light on?

Your BMW 530i brake light is on as an indication that something is wrong with it. Numerous factors may contribute to this, including worn brake pads and insufficient brake fluid. But don’t worry; you can solve these problems pretty simply.

Hence, if the braking light of your BMW 530i is on, you are in the correct place. Today in this guide, we will discuss what causes this issue and how you can fix it.

What is the BMW 530i red braking light?

The BMW 530i models come equipped with the BMW brake pad warning light as a standard safety feature. So, the braking light illuminates if there is a braking system issue, which can occur for a number of reasons. The presence of a red brake light signifies the need for urgent or impending focus on an issue.

Though until the indicator remains on after you come to a complete halt and turn off the engine, it doesn’t always indicate you need to worry. 

Furthermore, it’s critical that you don’t keep going when the brake light is on because this might seriously endanger your safety and further harm the braking system.

Read Also: How To Deal With BMW Yellow Brake Light? [Diagnosis & Fix]

What Causes BMW 530i Red braking light and how to fix it

As we have mentioned before, there can be various reasons which can cause a red braking light on your BMW 530i. Down below, we will discuss all these issues and how you can fix them quickly.

1. Worn Braking Pads

One of the critical reasons for the red braking light is worn out braking pads. The braking rotors or drums, which are connected to the rotating wheels, are pressed against the brake pads when you depress the brake pedal.

Your automobile slows or stops as a result of the wheels’ being forced to slow down by friction. The pads gradually deteriorate due to this continuous engagement. 

There are a number of frequent signs of worn brake pads, including grinding noises and screeching or squeaking from the brakes. While braking, there will also be vibration.

Fix: When the braking pads get worn out, you will need to replace them. Based on the type of brake pads required and the severity of the damage, the replacement will cost between $100-$300 per axle.

2. Insufficient Brake Fluid

Your BMW 530i’s red brake light may be on if the fluid reservoir is empty or if the brake fluid level is low. 

The purpose of the braking fluid is to increase the force that your foot applies to the brake pedal, translating that force into pressure on your vehicle’s brakes. 

Without braking fluid, your foot alone wouldn’t be enough to stop your automobile. There can also be leaking issues in the braking fluid reservoir.

If the braking fluid is low, you should refill the fluid, and the red braking light should go away instantly. But, if there is a leak, you will need to fix the leak, which can cost between $150-$750.

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3. Problematic Brake Pad Sensor

The driver is informed when the minimal brake pad thickness has been achieved by the brake pad sensor, an electrical device. Even with decent brakes, you will still see a braking light if the sensor is damaged or defective.

Heat from the brakes throughout time can harm the wire and clips, ultimately harming the sensor. Therefore, they must be changed after a set amount of time.

You cannot fix a broken braking pad sensor; and it needs to be replaced with a new one, and it can cost between $254-$265, including labor costs.

FAQs

Down below, we will talk about all the FAQs related to our discussion today’s discussion. This section will help you understand the problems more quickly.

How long can you drive your BMW 530i with the red brake light on?

It varies from BMW to BMW, but generally speaking, you may travel between 300 and 800 miles. It’s critical to identify and address the root cause of the problem as soon as possible. Driving while your car’s red brake light is on can be extremely risky and can harm other auto parts.

What circumstance would most likely cause the red brake warning light to illuminate?

The brake fluid level has become a bit low, which is the most likely reason why the brake warning light is on. When it is safe to do so, you should park, look in your owner’s handbook to find the brake fluid tank, and fill it with the appropriate brake fluid.

What causes problems with the braking system?

A breach line leak is the most frequently reported cause of failure. The brake fluid will progressively drain away until there is not enough left to transfer the power from the pedal to the tires. The brakes might potentially stop working because the discs or drums have worn out.

Why does the brake light on the dash stay on?

Switch failure is a typical cause of the parking brake light staying on. Move the lever to and from after it is lowered to verify this quickly. The switch is most likely to blame and has to be changed if the light goes out or goes out and comes back on.

Read Also: Why BMW X5 Lights Won’t Turn Off & How To Reset It?

Conclusion 

The BMW brake light may serve as a warning. Knowing when it starts and what to do about it is crucial. We believe by now you already know the reasons causing the red brake light on your BMW 530i.

Braking systems are the safety system of your car and it is essential to fix the issues as soon as you notice them. Avoiding these issues can damage more parts inside your car even leading to serious accidents during driving. 

Additionally, it is important to do proper maintenance of your BMW 530i regularly to avoid these problems firsthand.

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