Did the service brake assist light come up when you are driving and now you are thinking that you are toast? Seeing the service brake assist light on your Chevy Impala might be scary, but it does not have to be that way at all. If you see this light, then it means that the emergency braking system of your car has a problem and may need servicing.
A service brake assist light is a sign that something is wrong with the braking system, and it needs immediate attention before further damage.
In this article, we are going to look at the service brake assist Chevy Impala and why you need to get it looked at when you get the warning brake lights. So, let us get started by first understanding what a brake assist means.
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What is Brake Assist?
Brake assist, also known as Emergency Brake Assist or EBA, is an advanced safety system that helps reduce the distance when emergency braking occurs.
It helps drivers come to an immediate stop by detecting when the driver applies maximum pressure on the brake pedal and when traveling at a high speed.
Some drivers disengage the brake assist feature since they believe that it makes braking tough and believe it is dangerous. Nevertheless, this is a very safe feature that can be greatly beneficial.
Brake assist is a smart feature that detects when you are panic breaking and generates maximum pressure to the brake pedals in response. For instance, if you are trying to avoid a collision with an object, a person, or another car.
In short, brake assist helps you get that “phew” sigh of relief especially if you were about to hit something or someone on the road. With its help, your car will bring itself to a halt a few feet from the object or the car you were about to collide with.
But keep in mind that this does not mean that the feature will automatically stop your car. Some effort from the driver will be needed to help the car brake harder.
Types of Brake Systems
There are three types of brake systems:
Electromagnetic brake system:
Uses an electric motor included in the automobile to help the car come to a stop. You can find this type of brake system in hybrid vehicles. Besides, the electric motor is also used to charge the regenerative brakes and the battery.
Frictional brake system:
As its name suggests, this type uses friction to stop the car from moving. It works by pressing a brake pad against a moving part. As a result, a friction force develops, which helps in halting the automobile.
Hydraulic brake system:
This brake system uses fluid to transmit force into the system, which helps the car stop. It is a self-lubrication braking system; thus, no lubrication is necessary during braking. The hydraulic brake system is mostly used in buses and trucks.
Automatic Brake Assist Systems
Another popular type of brake assist is the automatic brake system. You can find this in most modern cars. With automatic brake assist systems, you do not have to step on the brake pedal of the vehicle. Instead, the car will come to a sudden stop even without your help.
An automatic brake assist system can help prevent crashes especially when the driver is distracted. Its reaction time is much faster than that of the driver.
These automatic brake features use camera data and radar technology to detect the surroundings including moving cars, pedestrians, and motionless vehicles.
And when it senses a hazardous situation, the system applies sufficient brake pressure to stop the vehicle.
What Does It Mean When It Says Service Brake Assist?
If your car features brake assist, then you have encountered a service break assist warning. But what is it and should you worry? Well, when you see the service brake assist warning, it means that the brake sensor has some issues.
Every modern vehicle has a brake assist light, which is a wired circuit that connects a sensor to the car’s brain or computer.
So, when the sensor fails, the braking system light will go on indicating that there is a problem, which needs to be fixed. The good news is that a professional can detect the problem and solve it.
Is Service Brake Assist Same as an Anti-Lock Braking System?
No, the service brake assist is not the same as an ABS, but both are safety features that can help improve your driving experience. ABS is designed to help the driver maintain traction. This is done by allowing the wheels to rotate slowly and reducing the stopping time.
So, if something unexpected happens when you are driving, a combination of the anti-lock braking system and brake assist will provide more control.
In short, an ABS is an anti-skid technology that rapidly pumps your brakes during an emergency stop, hence, preventing your car from sliding or skidding.
What Does Service Brake Assist Mean on Chevy Impala?
Chevy Impala is known to have service brake assist failure. Most Chevy Impala owners have reported this issue. Normally, the service brake assist failure is caused by a lot of things.
But the most common one is sensor failure. So, when the service brake assist in your Chevy Impala turns on, then you should know that there is a problem.
Some of the common causes of this issue include:
- Low fluid
- ABS malfunction
- A leak in lines
- Sensor malfunction
- Light malfunction
- Grounding issue
- Mileage inspection indication
The first four are the most severe causes of service brake assist failure on Chevy Impala, which should be addressed immediately. Assuming them will impair your car severely causing it to operate unusually and this can lead to an injury or an accident.
Besides, the other issues are not that serious, but they may still be a bother especially when the lights on the dash remain on.
However, just because they are non-serious does not mean that you should avoid them. If you experience any of these signs, then take your vehicle to the repair shop to avoid further damage.
Advantages of a Service Brake Assist
Before we get to fixing the brake feature, we will look at some of its benefits. This will help you appreciate how much it keeps you safe and why it needs immediate attention in case it fails.
- Providing power for panicked steps
- Reduces collisions
- Shortens stopping distance between 20 and 45 percent
- Assists drivers in driving and stopping swiftly in emergencies
With that said, it is worth mentioning that the extent to which the brake assist can help the driver make an emergency brake also depends on the ability and the strength of the driver.
Can I Drive My Car with Brake Assist Lights On?
If the traction light comes on when you are driving and there are no other warning lights, do not panic. Find a safe place and pull over.
Turn off the vehicle, wait for a few minutes then restart it. If it was only a fluke in the TCS system, then the lights should stay off when you turn on the vehicle and continue driving.
However, if the lights come back on even after restarting the car, it is time to get it checked by a mechanic. In the meantime, drive slowly and avoid hard acceleration as this could result in the wheels slipping. Drive gently also if both the traction control light and the ABS warning light go on.
Additionally, if the ABS, TSC, and red main brake warning lights come on at the same time, then do not drive the car until it is fixed. The entire braking system might be damaged, which means that it might not stop when you want it to.
Thus, you might get into an accident and injure yourself if you drive the car in this condition. Instead, stop driving and let your car be towed to the repair shop for an appropriate diagnosis. Only a professional can detect the problem by using a special code reader.
How Do You Reset the Brake Assist & Traction Control Light on a Chevy Impala?(Video)
For starters, you must understand that you cannot reset the traction control light on a Chevy Impala. There is no reset button, so it is an impossible task.
On the other hand, you should know that when the traction control light goes on, it is a sign that something is bad with your vehicle. And it is only when you diagnose the issue that you can extinguish the light.
Mostly, the light will go on if the ABS has a problem or when you have a malfunctioning wheel speed sensor, or the ECM computer needs a replacement. In short, only an auto mechanic can detect the cause of the problem and fix it.
Once the problem is fixed, then the light will turn off automatically by itself.
Follow the below procedure if you still want to try to reset the service brake assist on Chevy Impala:
- Park your vehicle in a safe place and turn it off
- Next, remove the cable located on the battery’s positive terminal
- Step on the car brake pedal and press it down for a few minutes or until the stored electricity is used.
- Turn on the car and wait to see if the light has gone off.
The above steps are easy to follow. Thus, you may not need a mechanic. But if the problem persists, get it checked out by an expert.
How Much Is a Brake Assist Service?
A brake assist service cost depends on several factors such as the vehicle type and model, if you are fixing it by yourself, and the problem itself.
Servicing the brake assist on Chevy Impala would cost around $100 to $150. Fixing it yourself can save you some money and can cost around $50 to $100.
If the problem is with the ABS control module, the replacement cost would be between $628 and $677. Labor costs could cost between $141 and $177 depending on the repair shop and the parts are priced at $487 to $500.
Nevertheless, taking the vehicle to the mechanic is more beneficial since they will diagnose the problem correctly, fix it, and even identify other potential maintenance concerns the car may need.
Read More FAQs:
What are ABS on Chevy Impala?
ABS or antilock braking system is a feature in Chevy Impala, which prevents you from locking up your brakes. It prevents the wheels from locking up and allows the driver to steer to safety, especially during emergencies.
Contrary to what most people believe, an anti-clock system does not stop your car or shorten stopping distances. Instead, it allows you to have control and steer your automobile out of the way of colliding with something and avoiding an accident or an injury.
What should you do if the brake assist light turns on when driving?
If the brake assists warning lights turn when driving, the most appropriate thing is to find a safe place, stop your car, and call a mechanic. In case you continue driving, reduce your speed gradually and use the brakes carefully.
What causes the brake assist lights to come on in Chevy Impala?
Some of the common reasons why your brake lights keep coming on in Chevy Impala include:
- Low brake fluid levels
- Worn out brake pads
- Defective sensors
- Anti-lock braking system malfunction
- Faulty rear brake light bulb
- An engaged parking brakes
Final Words
Service brake Assist Chevy Impala plays a key role in ensuring your safety especially when things go wrong. It has been proven in reducing accidents, which is why most auto manufacturers are equipping their cars with this feature.
Besides, with this article, you are now aware of everything you need to know about the service brake assist in Chevy Impala. So, when you see an error linked to the brake system, you need to look at it immediately to prevent further damage.