Brake Light On=New Brakes?

[LockjawDavis]

I have a 2002 Protege 5 that's been a tank for me. Last week I was driving with a buddy when my brake light went on. His reaction was: You're screwed, you need new brakes!!
My (more hopeful) reaction was: The car only has 24k miles on it, the brakes don't grind or feel soft, I just need to top off some brake fluid.
Are either of us right? Are the P5 brakes known to go before 30k? Love any advice or suggestions...
thx!

[mountjonas]

check your brake fluid.

[ssmp5]

Did he pull up on the e-brake for ya just to fuck with ya?

[Natey]

1. No such thing as a 2001 P5
2. You're not screwed. Brake pads are easy to change. :)
3. Depends on your driving style. I went through my OEM front pads in about 20k. Check the wear indicators.

[LockjawDavis]

Thanks for the quick replies. I'll check the brake fluid tonight. A task that, in itself, may take several hours for someone as clueless as me.
Natey, I must have a 2002 (purchased in late '01?).
Thanks again.

[cbcbd]

-Check fluid first - if that's ok then check pad wear

If it is the pads you should notice the brake light coming on whenever you brake really hard.

[pdhaudio83]

lockjaw, yeah, check your brake fluid, otherwise have one of us michigan mazda guys change your pads. its pretty easy. I did all 4 on mine.

[blynzoo]

Es muy facil.
You can visually check the fluid level by unscrewing the cap to the fluid reservoir. At 24k, if you brake a lot, you just need new pads. This is something you can do yourself, all four wheels, in about 1hr with a real floor jack. Or take it to a shop, whatever.

My light came on around 27-28k, the wear indicators started about 350 mi after that (squealing during both driving and braking).

[NJP5Guy]

technically you shouldnt have to add fluid. the fluid will go down slightly when the pads wear. when you put new pads in the fluid will rise again. if you put new pads in and the fluid level is still low then you have a prob. you shouldnt have to add fluid as long as the brake system is in perfect order. Its not like the fluid is going anywhere. thats why there is a prob if youre low on fluid.