What Does Service Brake Assist Mean?
Today’s modern cars are equipped with many advanced driver assistance features to give you better control. One of these systems is the Brake Assist feature. If something goes wrong, you may see a “Service Brake Assist” warning on your dashboard.
What is “Service Brake Assist” and how can you solve this problem?
In this guide, we’ll explain what the Service Brake Assist warning means. We’ll also compare the Brake Assist system to ABS and Automatic Emergency Braking, and highlight the benefits of this advanced safety system. We’ll also answer some of the most important questions you may have about the system. Before you get started, be sure to read How to Fix the Warning Light.
What does the message “Service Brake Assist” mean?
If the message “Service Brake Assist” appears on your dashboard, it means there is a malfunction with Brake Assist. The brake sensor may be faulty or there may not be enough pressure in the braking system. In either case, the problem needs to be fixed immediately.
Brake Assist monitors the pressure you apply to the brake pedal. If more pressure is needed in an emergency, this advanced system provides additional power.
Benefits of Brake Assist
Brake Assist measures how much pressure is being applied to the brake pedal. It ensures there is enough pressure to prevent a collision during emergency braking.
If the system detects that sudden braking is required but the pedal is not fully depressed, it applies extra hydraulic pressure. This extra pressure reduces the distance it takes for your vehicle to come to a complete halt. This can prevent accidents and is invaluable. Brake Assist and ABS
Brake Assist is a high-tech safety system found on some modern vehicles. It is not the same as the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) that all vehicles today have. However, both systems aim to improve braking performance.
Brake Assist can apply additional pressure to the brake pedal in an emergency. It helps the driver stop before a collision occurs. ABS, on the other hand, maintains the vehicle’s braking effect even if the wheels start to lock. This gives you more control over your car. ABS also prevents the wheels from locking, allowing you to stop safely.
Brake Assist vs. Automatic Emergency Braking
- Brake Assist may sound like a type of automatic emergency braking, but the two are not the same.
- Brake Assist applies pressure. If you press the pedal but not hard enough for the situation, an advanced system provides the extra boost you need.
An automatic emergency braking system, on the other hand, works without driver intervention. If sensors detect a dangerous situation and you don’t press the brakes despite warnings, the car will brake automatically. It’s an autonomous technology that performs processes on your behalf. It’s usually found on vehicles as part of a safety package, but can also be added as an optional feature.
What causes the “Service Brake Assist” message to appear?
If you see the “Service Brake Assist” message without the ABS light or any other message, it’s most likely due to a faulty brake pressure sensor or brake light switch, depending on your car model. However, there are many different reasons why this message might appear, so a proper diagnosis is needed. Let’s take a look. The most common causes of the “Service Brake Assist” message are:
>> Faulty brake pressure sensor, Brake Booster & Brake Booster check valve
>> Vacuum leak to brake booster
>> Old brake fluid
>> Faulty ABS sensor
>> Faulty ABS ring
>> Wiring problem
If this message appears on your Chevy along with the Service StabiliTrak message, Service Traction Control message, and the ABS light, there may be a serious problem with your brake system.
How to Fix a Service Brake Assist Warning
1. Reset the Light
There is always the possibility that the light may come on falsely. Although this is unlikely to happen, you should rule out this possibility before proceeding. Resetting the Brake Assist light will help you determine if there is actually a problem. This is best done with an OBD2 scanner, although if you don’t have one you can try powering it off.
If your vehicle is in a safe location and the engine is off, you can disconnect the ground cable from the battery. Get in the car and press the brake pedal until all power in the car is off. Once this is done, reconnect the cable to the battery and start the engine. The light should be off.
Test drive the car and see if the light comes back on. If this is the case, you should move on to the next step.
2. Read the error codes
If you have a problem with a modern car, you should always read the error codes with an OBD2 scanner as it makes diagnosis much easier. There are OBD2 scanners available for home use, but you may need a scanner specific to your vehicle model if you want it to be compatible with Brake Assist.
Once you have this information, read the code and continue troubleshooting.
3. Check the Brake Pressure Sensor
One of the main problems with the Brake Assist system is the brake pressure sensor. If the sensor fails, the system can fail. To fix this issue, you will need to replace this sensor. Depending on your vehicle, this sensor is often located in the ABS unit or master brake cylinder.
The part will cost between $10 and $150. If you can install the sensor yourself, you won’t need to spend any extra money. If you do need a mechanic to install the sensor, it might only cost you between $75 and $200.
4. Check for vacuum leaks and check valves
The brake booster needs a vacuum to function properly. Most vehicles have a hose running from the engine intake manifold to the brake booster to create a vacuum. There is also a check valve that maintains the vacuum in the brake booster as you accelerate the car.
If this check valve is defective or has a vacuum leak anywhere, you may lose brake pressure and trigger the service brake assist system. In the case of diesel engines, a faulty vacuum pump may also be the cause.
5. Check the brake fluid
The brake fluid in your system contributes to pressure generation. This hydraulic fluid is needed when you press the brake pedal and is used by the brake assist system. If the pressure in the system is low, you may not have enough brake pedal pressure to stop. Take a moment to check your brake fluid level. There will be a clear indicator on the dipstick cap or container, making it easy to tell if you need to add oil.
If the brake fluid looks dirty or contaminated, you may want to have it flushed.
6. Brake Booster Replacement
The brake booster is a device that increases the force applied by the pedal to the system’s master cylinder. It is the component that distinguishes an electric braking system from a manual system.
- If the brake booster fails, the service brake assist warning light may come on.
- If you can replace the brake booster yourself, you may have to pay $100 to $500 for the part.
- If you have to pay a mechanic, you could spend another $150 to $450 in labor costs. However, these prices are only estimates, and the make, year, and model of your car will determine the cost.
7. Replace faulty ABS parts
If the Service Brake Assist message appears along with the ABS light or traction control light, the problem may be with the ABS system, not the brake assist system. The most common problems with the ABS system that can cause problems with the brake assist system are a faulty ABS sensor, a faulty ABS ring, or a faulty ABS pump.
For more information, see ABS Light – What it Means, Causes, Solutions (Is it Safe to Drive?).
8. Consult a mechanic
If none of these steps complete the repair, consult a mechanic. With advanced technology like brake assist, it can be difficult to pinpoint the fault.
However, a certified mechanic has access to better diagnostic equipment and tools. Because of this, they may be better equipped to find the problem.
Can I turn off brake assist? Some models allow you to turn off security features at will. There may be a button to turn these off, but it’s unlikely. Consult your owner’s manual to find out what your model allows.
Is it safe to drive with the Continuity Brake Assist warning on? You should not drive when most of the warning lights on your dashboard are on. However, the Service Brake Assist light should especially warn you. In fact, if this system does not work properly, you are in great danger.
Without full control over your braking system, you are more likely to have a collision or accident. If the light comes on, we recommend that you drive to a safe place. You should have the problem investigated immediately or take it to a repair shop.
Is brake assist important? Yes. Brake assist is important in the event of an accident. If brake assist is not working, it will take a much longer time to bring your car to a complete halt in an emergency. This could mean the difference between life and death.
Is Brake Assist the same as ABS? No. Brake Assist and the ABS system are two separate systems. However, they work closely together, with Brake Assist applying braking pressure to the wheels, while the ABS system limits the pressure to prevent the wheels from locking up.
