Do the brakes still work if only the ABS lamp is on?

This lamp does not mean the service brakes have been checked. It reports that anti-lock braking is unavailable, so a hard stop can lock the wheels, especially on a wet or loose surface. If the pedal feels wrong, or the red brake lamp is on, stop somewhere safe and have the car checked.

ABS and the red brake lamp are both on. What changes?

Stop. Together they can mean the balance of braking between the axles has failed, so the car can become unstable when you brake.

Anti-lock braking system

Dolphin

Color: Amber
Urgency: Check soon

Most lamps light for a few seconds when you power the car on. That check is not a fault by itself. This page does not replace the owner’s manual for your model year and market. Icons are schematic illustrations used on this site. They are not offered as the vehicle maker’s artwork, and they have not been checked against it. They may not match the lamp on your cluster. Urgency levels are this site’s classification, not the maker’s. If they differ from the manual, follow the manual.

What it means

This amber ABS lamp means the anti-lock function is unavailable. It lights for the start-up check and should then go out. With only this lamp on, anti-lock braking is unavailable, so a hard stop can lock the wheels and steering while they are locked is poor, and this lamp does not mean the service brakes have been checked. If the red brake-system lamp is on at the same time, braking effort may no longer be shared correctly between the front and rear axles. The Dolphin uses this same ABS symbol as the other export BYD cars.

What to do

If the pedal feels normal and the red brake lamp is off, drive slowly to a safe place, leave more room, and have the anti-lock system checked soon. If the red brake lamp is on as well, or the pedal feels soft or sinks, stop and wait for a tow.

Related lamps

Common questions

Do the brakes still work if only the ABS lamp is on?: This lamp does not mean the service brakes have been checked. It reports that anti-lock braking is unavailable, so a hard stop can lock the wheels, especially on a wet or loose surface. If the pedal feels wrong, or the red brake lamp is on, stop somewhere safe and have the car checked.
ABS and the red brake lamp are both on. What changes?: Stop. Together they can mean the balance of braking between the axles has failed, so the car can become unstable when you brake.