Service brake pad monitor message means that you car brake pads have faults. Brake pad life monitor is also triggered due to low brake fluid, bad brake fluid or damaged brake pad system. You should replace the damaged brake pads and reset service brake pad monitor.
You shouldn’t continue driving with the service brake pad monitor message as it can damage whole brake system and rotors.
Article Summary
What Does Service Brake Pad Monitor Mean?
Service brake pad monitor means the brake pads of your car have been worn out. Then it provides the measurement of the remaining lifespan of the brake pad to car software. The software uses the data to measure the remaining life span of the brake pad and adjust the measurement.
The brake pad monitor displays this data. When the brake pad wears out or needs replacement, the car shows a service brake pad monitor warning message.
How To Reset Service Brake Pad Monitor Message?
You can reset the service brake pad life monitor message in the following methods:
Service Brake Pad Monitor Reset With Scanner Tool
- Connect a scan tool to your vehicle using a USB connector and turn on the ignition. But don’t turn on the engine.
- Select rear axle brake pad life monitoring reset or front axle brake pad life monitoring reset in brake system control or reset function list.
- Follow the directions shown on the scan tool to reset the brake pad life.
- If DIC sets any codes, clear them too.
Reset Manually
- Go to the brake pad life setting on DIC.
- If you don’t have DIC buttons, press the odometer reset stem or thumbwheel.
- Select front brake pad or rear brake pad
- Select yes or press trip odometer reset stem on DIC.
- If you have to replace multiple brake pads, repeat this process on every axle.
Reasons For Service Brake Pad Monitor Message
Your car can show service brake pad monitor warning messages mostly due to these reasons:
1. Active Parking Brake
If you leave the parking brake on after turning off the car, it can trigger a service pad monitor message the next time you turn on the car. This is because if you leave the parking brake on, the brake pad may start wearing out gradually and it can reduce the brake pad’s longevity.
2. Parking Brake Switch Malfunction
Some cars have mechanical parking brake systems while others have electronic parking brake systems. If your brake system works by releasing the pedals or center console lever, it has a mechanical brake system.
But if you need to use an ignition switch to turn on or off the parking brake, it has an electronic brake system. If the brake light keeps on after turning it off, your car’s parking brake switch may malfunction and cause the message.
3. Low Brake Fluid
If brake lights stay on when engaging or disengaging the parking brake, it can result in low brake fluid. Brake fluid protects brake components and helps rotate the brake pedal’s foot pressure to mechanical action to stop the vehicle.
Brake fluid can get low mostly because of leaks. If so, you will need to inspect the fluid tank for leaks and seal the tank if you notice any.
4. Bad Brake Fluid
Brake fluid may become contaminated due to problems in the system or if the fluid gets old and loses protective quality. In general, you should flush brake fluid even replacing brake pads on every 30000 miles of driving.
If you continue to use pollutant brake fluid, it can corrode brake parts and cost expensive repair. If so, you will need to flush the contaminated fluid and use fresh fluid.
5. Worn-Out Brake Pads
Car brake pads may wear out due to heat and friction inside the brake pad system. If you drive with heavy feet or travel at a higher speed, it can produce heat inside the brake pads and cause wear out faster.
So if you want to make the brake pads last longer, you will need to drive the car with the flow of traffic to avoid heavy braking. You can also remove unnecessary weight from the vehicle and ensure a smooth stop to prevent wearing out of your braking pad.
6. Brake Pad Life Monitor Reset Required
If there is a problem with the braking pad system, your car brake light will inform you. In this case, the light may start blinking frequently or go on. It can trigger the service brake pad monitor message. If so, you will need to troubleshoot the underlying issues of the damaged brake pad and then reset the brake light.
Can You Drive With Service Brake Pad Monitor Message?
You can drive with a service brake pad monitor warning message, but you shouldn’t do so. The service brake pad monitor message comes on when the brake pad reaches the end of its life.
If you don’t replace the brake pad and continue driving, it can cause your brake pedal to go off completely and you won’t have any breaks during driving. So you will lose control over your vehicle.
So it will be very risky to drive with a service brake pad monitor warning message. This warning light may also come out due to leak brake fluid or damaged brake rotors which can also cause safety hazards. So you will require expensive repairs.
However, you can drive around 500 miles with a service brake pad monitor message. So if you notice this warning light and the brake pad light is flashing, bring the car to a mechanic shop and inspect the brake pad.
How To Remove Brake Pad Life Monitor System?
You can disable the brake pad monitor system particularly if you install aftermarket brake pads without a wear sensor. If you disable the brake pad monitor system, your car won’t show the percentages of front and rear brake pads.
If your car has built-in wear indicators, it will still make a high-pitched warning noise if the brake pads wear out and need to be replaced. In this case, follow this procedure to disable the brake pad monitor system on your vehicle:
- Go to the brake pad life setting on DIC (driver information center).
- Select disable.
- If you turn on the brake pad monitoring system again, go to brake pad monitoring system and select enable.
FAQs
Are There Service Brake Pad Monitor Recalls?
Yes, there are factory recalls by GM for the 2020 Chevy Silverado for the service brake pad monitor. So if your Chevy Silverado causes peak system failure and premature brake wear and triggers service brake pad monitor, you can consult with the manufacturer. They may update the software to fix the warning message.
How Much Does it Cost To Repair Service Brake Pad Monitor Message?
If you only need to replace the brake pad sensor to remove the warning message, it will only cost around $100 to $150.
Does Brake Pad Life Monitor Mean 20% Bad Brake Pad?
If the brake pad monitor shows 20%, the materials on brake pads or shoes have only 20% remaining. However, the braking pad will still work well with this low material. But if the material gets down to the very last, it can damage the drums or rotors and cause expensive repair.
Final Words
If your car shows a service brake pad monitor message, your car estimates a very low life of front or rear brake pads. When the system determines brake pads need replacement, it displays the error message including mileage remaining. When you change brake pads to disappear the error message, replace the complete axle sets to avoid drivable problems or wear out quickly.
I was going to change brake pads. But it was happening because of low brake fluid.