Why Your Brake Lights May Stop Working and What to Do on the Road
Just like float lights are important at our Sun Prairie Holiday Parade, so too are lights important on our vehicles when we hit the road… brake lights, that is! Because brake lights are an essential safety feature that ensure other drivers can see when you’re slowing down or stopping. And if they stop working, it’s not just an inconvenience—it’s a safety hazard and a potential legal issue. So, in this blog the experts at Meineke in Sun Prairie look at the common reasons your brake lights might fail and what you should do if it happens while driving.
Common Causes of Brake Light Failure
- Blown Fuse: The fuse that controls the brake light circuit may have burned out, cutting power to the lights.
- Faulty Brake Light Switch: The switch, located near the brake pedal, may fail. And this prevents the lights from activating when you press the pedal.
- Burnt-Out Bulbs: Over time, the bulbs themselves can burn out, especially if they’ve been in use for a while.
- Wiring Issues: Damaged or loose wiring can interrupt the circuit, causing brake light failure.
- Corroded Sockets: Moisture or debris in the brake light sockets can lead to corrosion, which may prevent proper contact.
What to Do If Your Brake Lights Stop Working
Stay Calm and Drive Safely
-
- If you notice your brake lights aren’t working, try to avoid sudden stops and maintain a safe following distance from other vehicles.
Use Hand Signals
-
- Roll down your window and use hand signals to indicate when you’re slowing down or stopping. And to do this, extend your arm downward with your palm facing backward to signal a stop.
Pull Over Safely
-
- As soon as it’s safe, pull off the road to a safe location. And use your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
Inspect the Lights
-
- Check if all brake lights are out or just one. Because, if you have a spare bulb or fuse and know how to replace them, you might be able to make a quick fix.
Call for Assistance
-
- If you can’t fix the issue, call Meineke and then drive cautiously to their auto care center on Ironwood Drive in Sun Prairie.
Preventative Maintenance
- Regularly check your brake lights by pressing the brake pedal and having someone verify they’re working.
- Replace bulbs and fuses as needed, and inspect wiring for signs of damage.
- Have the ASE certified professionals at Meineke in Sun Prairie inspect your vehicle if you suspect deeper electrical or switch issues.
Don’t Ignore Broken Brake Lights
It’s better to malfunctioning brake light as soon as possible to ensure your safety and the safety of others on the road. So, should you have trouble with your brake lights (or any auto care issues) call Meineke in Sun Prairie.
If the Meineke in Sun Prairie is not a convenient location, check out these other locally-owned Meineke locations:
MEINEKE SHEBOYGAN #2989
3667 S Taylor Drive
Sheboygan, WI 53081
Call (920) 783-6013
MEINEKE MADISON #355
4008 Milwaukee Street
Madison, WI 53714
Call (844) 374-1281
MEINEKE MADISON #1649
437 Commerce Drive
Madison, WI 53719
Call (833) 814-2314
MEINEKE SUN PRAIRIE #2057
2518 Ironwood Drive
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
Call (844) 687-9785
MEINEKE APPLETON #2136
1708 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Appleton, WI 54914
Call (866) 532-0443
MEINEKE COTTAGE GROVE #2474
222 W. Cottage Grove Road
Cottage Grove, WI 53527
Call (844) 453-2300
MEINEKE CAR CARE | LOCAL CAR CARE | LOCAL MECHANIC | SUN PRAIRIE CAR CARE | SUN PRAIRIE AUTO CARE | CAR CARE NEAR ME | OIL CHANGE NEAR ME | ASE CERTIFIED | EV CARE | EV BATTERY | CLUTCH |BRAKES NEAR ME | BRAKE FLUID | SERPENTINE BELT | TRUCK CARE | TRUCK MAINTENANCE | TIRE REPAIR | TIRES
#MEINEKECARCARE #LOCALCARCARE #SunPrairieCarCare #SunPrairieAutoCare #CarCareNearMe #MeinekeCares #Meineke #OilChangeNearMe #OilChange #ASEcertified #Diagnositics #EV #EVbattery #UsedCarRepair #Clutch #Brakes #BrakeFluid #SerpentineBelt #TruckMaintenance #TireRepair #Tires
