This is probably a really amateur thing to ask, but I'm new to the whole car scene - just began learning maintenance and general stuff on and about my car (2004 350z).

This morning I let my car warm up to temp and put the e brake down and starting driving on my daily commute to school. It was pretty cold out so idk if the weather has anything to do with this but the brake light stayed on for a while and eventually went away. Does this mean there's a problem with a sensor? or does it mean maintenance on the brakes is necessary? or is my car glitching? lol

Thanks to whoever can answer this,
I'm still trying to learn more so anything would be helpful.

It might just be the switch on the E-brake, or maybe your brake fluid is low and the sensor in the master cylinder reservoir is tripping in the colder weather (when the fluid shrinks and the level isn't as high). I'd look there first.

And Welcome to NICO!

Thanks for the help and thanks I'm glad to have joined!!

PapaSmurf2k3 wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 18, 2018 2:58 pm

It might just be the switch on the E-brake, or maybe your brake fluid is low and the sensor in the master cylinder reservoir is tripping in the colder weather (when the fluid shrinks and the level isn't as high). I'd look there first.

Can I just add fluid or should I do a complete brake flush. I got this car used so idk what kind of fluid the previous owner used. The car was really well maintained so I didnt do a brake flush. Same with the coolant. So basically, can I add brake fluid without knowing which brand was used? and same thing with the coolant. Should I just flush both and get them topped off?

Yeah for brake fluid just make sure it isn't purple (DOT 5). That would be extremely rare and odd if the previous owner did that, but it happens.
Any DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluid will work/mix with each other.
Use the green coolant.
I'd start by just topping them off to see if it fixes your issue.

Most brake light indicators are caused by a low fluid level, normally what happens is the fluid goes low, the sensor kicks on, the ECU turns on the dash light and probably there is a timer circuit or counter that sets off and until that completes the light stays on, even if the fluid has come up enough to actually clear the sensor. The other side is IF adding fluid does keep the light off now, then you should at some point inspect your brakes as they are probably below 50% pad now.