Dayton Daily News

Wheels: Jim writes, “On my 2001 Ford Windstar, just the brake light comes on, and then both the brake light and ABS. Now they come on at different times and or don’t come on at all. Sometimes they won’t come on for a couple days. The mechanic told me over the phone to check the brake fluid level, and it seemed to be normal. I started trying to be aware of the circumstances when they come on, and I noticed it was with hard braking and
90-degree heat on the parking lot. The front brake pads were replaced at 51,957 miles and the rotors resurfaced. It now has 73,757 miles. All day yesterday the lights didn’t come on, and this afternoon, after the van sat in a restaurant parking lot, they came on. If I go out and drive it now, they probably won’t come on. It seems like the heat might cause the expansion of the fluid in the reservoir and triggers the sensor. I am not an expert on this, and I have had good experience with consulting you on a couple of other problems.”

Halderman: I am assuming you are referring to the red brake warning light on the dash rather than the brake lights at the rear of the vehicle. The antilock brake system (ABS) warning lamp is amber, and it lights up whenever the ABS control unit detects a problem. The service technician was correct that one of the most common reasons for the red brake warning light to come on is low brake fluid level. The level could be down just a little to trigger the light. You indicated that it seemed normal, but double-check that the level is between the “MAX” and “MIN” level lines. Do not fill above the maximum level because as the brake fluid increases in temperature, it expands, and there has to be room in the reservoir for the fluid when it expands.

Wheels: An e-mail from MM says, “I own a 1997 2-wheel-drive Ford Ranger with a 4.0-liter V-6 and an automatic transmission. It had four identical tires with tread depth at about 65 percent to 70 percent of new. A problem with the bead caused the tire retailer to replace one of them with a new identical tire. I plan to purchase a second new tire. From a safety perspective, should the new tires be on the front or rear?”

Halderman: Most experts recommend that the best and newest tires be placed on the rear of the vehicle. If there is a tire problem and the tire is on the front, the driver has direct control of the vehicle through the steering. However, if there is a problem with a rear tire, the driver has only indirect control of the vehicle.