![Service Brake Assist Chevy : What Does It Mean? [ Explained ]](https://myvehicletalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Service-Brake-image-720x405.jpg)
New drivers often land up in a panic when they notice the dashboard light indicating service brake assist. In most modern cars, the dashboard has at least one dedicated light that indicates the condition of your braking system.
Now, with your Chevrolet car, you might be wondering what this light means for the vehicle. To bail you out of this trouble, we have explained what this light implies for your car.
In your Chevy car, the task of the brake assist system is to provide high-pressure fluid for braking, that infuses the braking mechanism with additional force to stop the car at a shorter distance after braking.
When you find the service brake light on, it implies that your brakes have encountered a sensor failure issue. Let’s explore the service brake assist light in your Chevrolet car in detail.
Meaning of service brake assist in Chevy
Like all modern cars, Chevrolet models also come with the brake assistant feature. This enables the drivers to control the car better when they want to bring them to a halt.
The brake assist feature automatically detects the situation by observing instances where the driver is applying the brake hard. During these situations, the mechanism supplies more braking force to ensure that the car or truck stops at a shorter braking distance.
However, certain drivers often disengage the brake assist system when they find braking more difficult with this feature. Besides, other drivers disable the system since they consider it to be dangerous.
In reality, the brake assist feature is very safe, and enables the drivers to bring the cars to a quick halt, particularly under emergent conditions.
When you do away with the brake assist system, it would prolong the stopping distance even when you need to bring the car to halt instantly. Nevertheless, drivers who are not comfortable with the feature can do away with it.
In case of an accident, over 90% of the drivers fail to apply the brakes with adequate force. To enhance the functionality of the car and prevent accidents, modern cars come with anti-brake locking and brake locking systems. Therefore, the car can stop in time, and the wheels do not lock up.
In modern vehicles like the Chevy, the braking system involves a radar and sensors on your car. In case there is a moving or stationary vehicle around your car, it takes necessary measures.
So, when you find the dashboard light for brake assist illuminating, it implies that you have to get the brake assist feature sorted. It serves as an early warning that the mechanism calls for attention as the braking power is inadequate.
Since braking happens to be a crucial function of your car, you need to address the issue immediately. Under these conditions, you should get across to a mechanic and sort the issue out. In the meantime, you need to manually apply extra pressure to the brakes in case you need to make the car stop immediately.
How much does it cost to service brake assist?
The cost of servicing brake assist depends on several factors. Based on the problem that affects your system, you need to calculate the cost. For instance, a sensor failure triggers the dashboard light most of the time.
You can get it replaced within $100. Again, if your brake booster needs a replacement, it would cost you between $300 and $700. Experts highly recommend looping in a mechanic. Experienced hands can quickly spot potential problems that you might tend to overlook. Later on, these issues might aggravate into more complex problems.
How do you reset service brake assist?
At times, the brake assist feature on your Chevy car might call for a repair. Several issues might crop up with the brake assist feature that would refrain it from functioning accurately.
Sometimes, you might even continue to see the warning light after resolving the issue. In these cases, the drivers need to reset the braking system.
As you know the ABS is involved in your car’s braking system. So, you need to remove the battery terminals and drain off the remaining charge in the computer.
In this way, you can reset the system, and the warning light will no longer show. However, if you encounter any sort of difficulties in the process, consult a trained expert to do the needful for you. Trained professionals come with the necessary equipment to detect the problem, and they would be able to fix it.
What does it mean when the brake assist light comes on?
An illuminated brake assist light on your car’s dashboard implies that your brakes have encountered a sensor failure issue. In case the sensor fails, or detects a possible failure of the brake system, the car’s computer will instantly receive a notification. In these cases, you will get the warning sign through the illuminated dashboard light.
Sometimes, the problem arises due to a sensor failure in the system. In these situations, you can easily get the part replaced. Replacing the sensor would cost you anything between $50 to $100.
If you decide to save a few more dollars by ditching professional services, you can try and fix the issue yourself. You might get a bit greasy, but this will save your bucks.
Here are some of the serious issues as well as ordinary problems that might affect your vehicle.
Serious problems
- The air brakes have a leakage in the lines
- The system is low on fluids
- A malfunctioning ABS can be a serious issue
Ordinary issues
- Malfunctioning of the light or sensor
- Grounding problems
- Indication of mileage inspection
Make sure to address the serious issues immediately, as some of these problems may lead to accidents and injuries.
Is the brake assist and the anti-lock braking (ABS) system the same?
The brake assist system in your Chevrolet car and the anti-lock braking system are not the same. However, both of these collaborate seamlessly to enhance the overall driving experience.
For instance, the manufacturers design the ABS to ensure that the car can maintain its traction. Compared to the performance of the car when you slam the brakes hard, the ABS can bring it to a faster halt.
However, when you stop the car, enabling the wheels to rotate at a slow pace ensures that it can maintain traction. Therefore, the car takes a shorter time to stop.
Moreover, the ABS ensures that the driver gets a greater degree of control of the car while slamming the brakes. The brake assist system and the ABS works in tandem to assure better control and handling. So, it supports the driver in applying the brakes.
For the brake assist to perform well, you need to apply adequate force on the brakes. However, if you are late in exerting the pressure on the brake pedals, the brake assist system won’t do any good.
Should you drive with the brake assist light on?
Although some drivers can drive safely with both the brake assist and ABS lights on, it would be advisable not to do so.
When these lights are on, it indicates that your braking system wouldn’t be functioning to its full potential. Although you won’t encounter any trouble when you drive on regular roads, emergent situations may arise without prior warnings.
Suppose, you need to bring your car to halt immediately to prevent a collision, but your brake system has clogged. This can lead to unfortunate and undesirable incidents.
Therefore, experts recommend having the anti-lock braking system and brake assist system in proper functional conditions all the time. Changing the sensor would hardly cost you a hundred dollars. However, neglecting the issue might cost you the car, or even your life in case of an accident.
Conclusion
Now, you know what the brake assist light on your dashboard means for your car. Therefore, it would be wise to have your car’s brake assist system in proper functional conditions.
In case you find the brake assist light showing up, it means your car deserves your attention. Get the issue addressed at the earliest to ensure that you have the proper equipment to bring the car to an instantaneous stop.
It would also be advisable to carry a basic emergency kit and a code reader in your Chevrolet car. This ensures that you can quickly detect the issue and fix the same before any unfortunate event occurs.
