Flashing Brake Icon Mystery

[murphy]

I was sitting in the car today with the car turned off and the driver's door open.

 

The brake icon was flashing at a rate of 9 seconds on and 18 seconds off.

 

When I got out and closed the door the flashing stopped.

 

I could not find anything in the owner's manual to tell what it means.

 

[Russael]

The only thing i can find in the owners manual about a flashing brake indicator on the dash has to do with the electronic parking brake.  Do you set that?  If so and it flashes, the manual says it indicates a problem with it.

 

  Brakes

ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE

The electric parking brake replaces the conventional handbrake. The operating switch is located in the center console.

 

WARNING  Always set the parking brake and leave your vehicle with the transmission selector lever in position P.

Note:  When you apply the electric parking brake in certain conditions, for example, on a steep hill, the electric parking brake may reapply the brakes within three to ten minutes.

Note:  You may notice various noises when you apply and release the electric parking brake. This is normal and no cause for concern.

Applying the electric parking brake

WARNING  If the brake system warning lamp does not illuminate or flashes, there could be a problem with your electric parking brake. Have the system checked by an authorized dealer as soon as possible.

Note:  The brake system warning lamp will illuminate for ten seconds, if the ignition is turned off after the electric parking brake has been applied, or the electric parking brake has been applied after the ignition has been turned off.

Note:  The electric parking brake will not automatically apply. You must apply the electric parking brake using the electric parking brake switch.

 Pull the switch up to apply the electric parking brake.

The brake system warning lamp will illuminate to confirm that the electric parking brake has been applied. See Information Displays. 

Applying the electric parking brake when the vehicle is moving

WARNING  Applying the electric parking brake while moving will result in use of the anti-lock braking system. Do not use the electric parking brake system when the vehicle is moving unless the normal brake system is unable to stop the vehicle.
WARNING  With the exception of emergency conditions (for example, the brake pedal does not work or is blocked), do not apply the electric parking brake while the vehicle is moving. On bends, or poor road surfaces or weather conditions, emergency braking can cause the vehicle to skid out of control or off the road.

If you apply the electric parking brake when your vehicle is moving, the brake system warning lamp will illuminate and a warning chime will sound. See Information Displays. 

If your vehicle speed is above 4 mph (6 km/h), the braking force is applied ias long as the switch is applied. Releasing or pressing the switch or pressing the accelerator pedal will stop the braking force.

Releasing the electric parking brake

 You can release the electric parking brake either manually by pressing the switch or automatically.

Manual release

WARNING  If the brake system warning light remains illuminated or flashes after you have released the parking brake, there could be a problem with you braking system. Have the system checked by an authorized dealer as soon as possible.

You can manually release the electric parking brake by turning the ignition on, pressing the brake pedal and then pressing the electric parking brake switch.

When the electric parking brake is released, the brake system warning lamp will turn off.

Automatic release - drive away release

Note:  The driver's door must be closed and the driver's safety belt must be fastened before this feature will operate.

Note:  If the electric parking brake warning lamp stays illuminated, the electric parking brake will not automatically release. You must release the electric parking brake using the electric parking brake switch.

Note:  The engine must be running and the accelerator pedal must be pressed before the drive away release feature will operate.

Note:  On hybrid vehicles, the vehicle must be Ready-to-Drive as indicated by the green Ready indicator light.

The brake system warning lamp will go off to confirm that the electric parking brake has been released.

Note:  The electric parking brake drive away release makes starting on a hill easier. This feature will release the parking brake automatically when the vehicle has sufficient drive force to move up the hill. To assure drive away release when starting uphill, press the accelerator pedal quickly.

Battery With No Charge

WARNING  You will not be able to apply or release the electric parking brake if the battery is low or has no charge.