What indicator light is this?

[richie the rocket]

This light just came on tonight, not the seatbelt one, the round one. I dont know what this is. There are two lights in the back on my wagon and one was good and the other was missing. I had to take it out to get the correct one. Once put back in the light came on. I have had other bulbs burn out and once replaced the indicator light went out.

This also could be the warning light for my brakes? I know that they are due for new pads and rotors.

Any help for the neo-phyte would be great

Thanks

Rich

 

[epj3]

Do you have an owners manual? I'm sure its in there. That's the only advice I can give though.

 

[Tom]

That's your brake pad sensor, it's time to replace those pads.

 

[codex57]

Yup, it's the brake pad sensor light.

 

[brahtw8]

Just from the title of the thread, without looking at the picture, my vote was the brake pad wear indicator light. It needs a new symbol, as the point is lost on everyone who sees the light. I remember pulling off the interstate and searching through the manual when my 325i light went on.

 

[jrt67ss350]

I remember pulling off the interstate and searching through the manual when my 325i light went on.

Well, that's more than most people seem to do.

 

[richie the rocket]

Thanks guys. I all needed to be done anyway. The car has 76k on it and I dont think they have ever been replaced.

Now the decision is to go with Zimmerman or Brembo with the Pagid pads

Any suggestions on rotors?

 

[epj3]

Thanks guys. I all needed to be done anyway. The car has 76k on it and I dont think they have ever been replaced.

Now the decision is to go with Zimmerman or Brembo with the Pagid pads

Any suggestions on rotors?

I suggest going with pagid pads - the reds. They will be very good pads for the road, though they are very dusty...if you can live with the dust, the pagids are great. Are you going to do this yourself? If so you might want to buy a brake bleeder (or if you can in an E46 - do it the "two man method"). Buy some ATE blue fluid. Some of the best in the business.

Rotors? I dont have any reccomendations other than stock. I had stock rotos with pagid pads and ATE brake fluid, and I never ever experienced pad fade (including those 110 - 0mph off ramps that came up on me too quick [fake])

 

[AIO]

Thanks guys. I all needed to be done anyway. The car has 76k on it and I dont think they have ever been replaced.

Wow! 76K?? Brake pads of my old E36 used to wear out at 13-15K. Yeah, they were German aftermarket pads and I usually brake hard but still the difference is huge. It's gotta be the new technology. [8)]

 

[epj3]

Wow! 76K?? Brake pads of my old E36 used to wear out at 13-15K. Yeah, they were German aftermarket pads and I usually brake hard but still the difference is huge. It's gotta be the new technology. [8)]

It's probably becuase bmw uses a fairly hard compound in their OEM pads (made to last long and be low dust). I know my pagids would make the wheels covered in dust after maybe 200 miles

 

[richie the rocket]

the brake dust is killing me. Even the guy at the tire shop stated that the kleen wheels dont work well because of the overlap of rotors and pads.

 

[mjbst111]

Even the guy at the tire shop stated that the kleen wheels dont work well because of the overlap of rotors and pads.

?? (i don't understand what you just said)

 

[richie the rocket]

Kleen Wheels are dust catchers that go in front of the rotor and pads so the brake dust does not go on the wheels.

 

[codex57]

Aren't those things bad for the car cuz they overheat the brakes?

 

[mjbst111]

Kleen Wheels are dust catchers that go in front of the rotor and pads so the brake dust does not go on the wheels.

oh. Thanks.

 

[brahtw8]

I had good luck with Zimmerman rotors on my E36, with pagid blues. The holes are cast, not drilled, so they are supposed to be stronger.

Kleen wheels are worthless for high performance driving. They will cook your brakes. Get some wheel wax if you want to keep the dust off.

If you want to upgrade the rest of your braking system, get some stainless steel lines (teflon coated if you want to be extra cool) and some ATE super blue or Motul 600 high temp brake fluid. (I use Motul 600 for track events in the NSX).

Hawk HPS are also good street/track pads. I have run a couple sets on my NSX with decent result.

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

I suggest going with pagid pads - the reds. They will be very good pads for the road, though they are very dusty...if you can live with the dust, the pagids are great. Are you going to do this yourself? If so you might want to buy a brake bleeder (or if you can in an E46 - do it the "two man method"). Buy some ATE blue fluid. Some of the best in the business.

Rotors? I dont have any reccomendations other than stock. I had stock rotos with pagid pads and ATE brake fluid, and I never ever experienced pad fade (including those 110 - 0mph off ramps that came up on me too quick [fake])

hehe...that is a cool smiley face...

i've never seen that indicator and since everyoen says it the pads i guess it is...is this light on older models (1994)?