Now that it just started getting cold in New York my brakes started to act up.

After a night of sitting in freezing temperatures the orange hand/foot-brake light on the dash comes on but only during braking and on local streets only. It would turn back off once I have come to a complete start but would turn back on again when I start braking. It doesn't stay on when I accelerate either and it doesn't happen when I hit the brakes on the highway though.

What could be causing this???

 

don't know about lexus, but other japanese cars will have the BRAKE light light-up when you are low on fluid and as the remaining fluid moves around in the brake resevoir it will activate/deactivate the warning light.

this may happen when your pads are nearing the end of their life, so when you put new pads in, it will bring the fluid level back up.

this is all under the assumption that there ain't no LEAK

 

this happend to me to. When it got really cold here. I checked brake fluid level and they're full. Now its warmed up a little the light never turned again. So I'm assuming its the cold weather that's causing this.

 

I'm with deejay on this one... MrExecutiv, your situation sounds weird, don't have any advice for that one

 

The same thing happens to me now that it is getting pretty cold here. Sounds like the cold does it, but I will check my fluid level.

 

Try adding some brake fluid.

 

My level is fine and it still does it occasionally... but only started when it got cold out.

 

Same happening with my foot brake when temperature below freezing. I always full my brake release to reset the light.

 

same here only when cold out, if i park in my heated garage it does not happen till the car has been outside for a while,fluid level is fine.wierd alright???????

 

Had the same thing happening in the cold with my brake light ... dealer allegedly cured it by topping off the fluid level ... tomorrow morning I'll know for sure!

Edit: No more brake light!

 

quick update:

i checked the brake fluid as recommended and it was a bit low. also checked for leaks and there were none. so, i'm not sure why the level dropped but added i just topped it off and the light has not come on since... it's been three days so far.

thank you everyone for you input!

 

The brake fluid probably did not leak out, it just goes down because your brakes are wearing down. So only add a little bit, because when you go to do your pads, all the extra fluid will be pushed out into your engine bay. Not something I would want hitting any part of the body.

 

yep that's what i was thinking so i went to autozone and purchased a bottle of the synthetic valvoline brake fluid and put enough in to bring it past the minimum line.

i just ordered new brake pads as well... the satisfied ceramics. i have on the PBR Ultimates now and the brake dust is unbearable. my wheels would be black in less than a week!