HOW DO I RESET THE BRAKE PAD LIGHTS IN A BMW?
What Does the BMW Brake Warning Light Mean?
Have you noticed that your BMW brake warning light is now illuminated? If you have an older BMW vehicle, one possible issue is that the brake pad lights will appear on the driving display after getting the brake pads and brake sensors replaced. If you see the BMW brake light in your BMW, it’s usually not cause for worry. The problem is most likely due to an electronic issue, and not a brake pad malfunction, and it can usually be resolved by resetting the brake pad lights. That said, the brake warning light can illuminate for other reasons as well. As a result, we highly recommend making a service appointment with our expert BMW service technicians here at Pacific BMW if you see your BMW brake warning light on.
Here’s How to Reset Your Brake Warning Light
Need to quickly reset the brake pad light in a BMW when you know there’s nothing major going on? Simply:
- Insert the key (or key fob) in the ignition.
- Move the key to position 2, but don’t start the ignition.
- Open the driver’s door and wait for approximately 10 seconds.
- After completing the above three steps, the brake pad lights should reset!
The Importance of Brakes for Your BMW & Its Performance
Car brakes are an integral component of your vehicle’s normal operation. Brakes help you safely come to a stop, and having brake pads and rotors with enough “padding” on them to create the friction and resistance needed to safely stop from high speeds can quite literally be the difference between life and death in some situations.
Basically, without brakes, your BMW would be unable to come to a stop, creating serious issues when trying to safely drive. And while brakes degrade relatively slowly over time (they often last between 25,000-75,000 miles depending on the brakes you choose and your driving style), making sure you get them checked every so often is an important part of your BMW maintenance schedule.
Get Brake Service for Your BMW in the Los Angeles Area
What happens if it is more than simply a BMW brake pad warning light? If mechanical issues for your BMW extend beyond easily-resolvable things like resetting the brake pad lights, it’s important that you take the car to get serviced at an authorized BMW service center. If you live in the Los Angeles-area, you can take it to us right here at Pacific BMW in Glendale.
When you get your BMW serviced at Pacific BMW, you can have the utmost confidence that we’ll give it the best possible care. All of our technicians are certified by BMW, we use the latest in state-of-the-art diagnostic and repair equipment, we have a reputation for delivering exceptional customer service, and we even have a fleet of courtesy vehicles.
We can complete all types of vehicle service, including routine maintenance, brake service, muffler/exhaust repairs, electrical service, tire balance and rotation, filter replacement, coolant flushes, and much more. We can even help you learn how to check your car oil levels at home.
Schedule Your Next BMW Service Appointment Now
Also, we have much respect for our customer’s time, so we work very hard to keep your service appointments as brief as possible, while still providing an excellent level of care. Schedule a service appointment at Pacific BMW for your BMW service and repair needs! If you have any questions about the BMW brake pad light or other components of your particular model, do not hesitate to reach out to us.
3 comment(s) so far on HOW DO I RESET THE BRAKE PAD LIGHTS IN A BMW?
It worked!!!!
This BMW brake light reset procedure worked perfectly. Worked like a charm. Thank you, so much indeed. Very much appreciated. Incidentally nothing at all wrong my brakes perfectly fine absolutely everything checked brakes in perfect condition. This is caused by very sensitive electronics system in your BMW. So, try not to worry and do this procedure first before getting ripped off at a expensive car work shop or dealership.
Kindest regards.
Excellent, clear guide. The step-by-step process with the ignition states is exactly what DIY owners need to avoid a costly trip to the dealer for a simple reset. It’s a great reminder that many of these “warning” lights are just service interval reminders that can be managed by the owner after the physical work is done.
After resetting the light, how can an owner verify that the brake pad wear sensor itself was replaced correctly and is functioning properly? Is there a way to test the sensor in the iDrive system to ensure the new one is registered and the warning won’t reappear prematurely due to a faulty installation?