2004 Ford Explorer 4x4, 54K miles. So, anyway, about a month ago it was really cold a couple mornings and my brake light (the one that comes on when you engage the emergency brake, which I assume would be the same warning light for the regular brakes?), came on now and then while I was driving to work. It would go back out if I tapped the brake pedal. Sometimes it wouldn't though but would go out a short bit later. Then I didn't see it come on for a couple weeks. Then it got cold again and its happening again! This morning it was 9 degrees and it came on when I left my driveway and stayed on for a few miles (which was the longest it ever has). It went out finally and didn't come on this afternoon on my way home from work at all.

I don't know what to think. Is my emergency brake sticking since that's the light that comes on when I engage that? Are my brakes in need of replacing? If so, why doesn't it stay on all the time? I was reading in my manual that the light could mean you are low on brake fluid (but I'm assuming it would stay on all the time if so?). But, it also says that being low on brake fluid means that something is worn on the brakes and that's what really needs to be addressed and not just to add fluid. Why does it only seem to happen when its really cold?

I guess I'll have one of the local places take a look, like Mr. Tire or something. Its just weird because my F150 I had before this needed brakes routinely throughout its life but the brake light never came on as a result. Heck, I even had a slow brake line leak one time in that truck and the brake light didn't come on LOL

I think it needs a tune up or something too because its sucking down gas way more than usual...I wonder if the brakes are dragging a bit? There's another thought I guess. I think I may need tires too so I'm sure I have several factors contributing to the poor gas mileage.

The e-brake lever has a switch to detect when it is engaged. If the switch is worn and/or has become loose it can cause an erratic light.

The light will also come on if the fluid is below the sensor in the master cylinder. It does not neccesarily mean the brakes are bad but it is a good indicator that they may be low.

If the pedal if firm and you hear no grinding in the brakes you are probably ok but still have them checked.

I you do have them checked, post here what they say and will will help to see if it plausable.

Probably low on brake fluid....The most common problem with the light coming on

Comes on at 9degrees well I believe that we have the problem thickening of the fluid and perhaps the level is showing low due to freezing temps cause it doesn't when it gets warmer. HMMMM

So they said my brake fluid was low (didn't say how low) and my front pads were down to 2/32. Is that really bad? I don't know anything about the measurements. Anyway, I had them replace the pads and make sure the brake fluid was back up to snuff. I also put new tires on all the way around....the freakin expensive top of the line ones that were on it apparently. They were $173 each, and that was after the internet discount I printed out because they were normally $181 per tire. I also got a front end alignment and they turned the rotors and did a whole brake system service including greasing something or other and flushing something or other....whatever LOL They wanted to do a bunch of other stuff but I told them fuggetaboutit. I don't need no damn fuel injection flushing service and no power steering flushing service. Puhleez. They must think I'm blond or something. I've put TONS of miles on several vehicles and never had those things done to any of them and they ran just fine and I never had a problem.

Anyway, she feels good now under me :)

What kind of tires, that's big bucks for tires. I have a 2000 X, and the Michelin LTX's weren't near that much.