I've seen the check brake symbol light up 2 or 3 times. It always went away the next time I started the car. I haven't seen it in about 2 weeks and was just in for the 55k mile service at the dealership and they said both sets of brakes are at 8mm and fine.

Is there something else flaky going on? Does the light come on and go off sometimes when you're getting close?

8 mm is plenty and shouldn't trigger the brake pad light. my lowest thickness pair are 6 mm and the light has never come on. something flakey is going on. whate else triggers that light? when was the last time you had a brake fluid flush? they recommend every 2 years.

Check the brake fluid level.

Is there a sensor in there? I will check it, but I may never know since they just had it in and may have topped it off. Interestingly, it did first pop on when I went hard around a corner (braking at the same time). I assumed it was the hard braking, but maybe it was the centrifugal force causing low fluid to slosh around.

Sounds like I have nothing much to worry about, though.

Yes there is a senosr inside. Just check the fluid level & let us know if that was it.

I did check the fluid and it was full. However, this was AFTER it was in for its 55k mile service at the dealership and it's very possible they topped it off. They do (according to the work order) check the brake system from top to bottom at that interval.

I'll keep an eye out again, but the likely culprit was slightly low fluid and not a concern.

So, I thought this went away, but it's back. Originally, it seemed like it was a sharp curve that triggered the light, but now it seems to come on randomly. Sometimes I'll make it home (12 miles/30 minutes) and have it not come on, sometimes it comes on halfway through the trip, sometimes after only a few minutes of driving.

Looking at the brake fluid res, it's hard to see if it's full. It looks like it is, but what fluid should I buy to top it off if I think it needs it?

Also, any other suggestions on what this brake warning light might be? I still had 8mm of pads just a few weeks ago when it was in for service.

Could be a short in the brake sensor wire or maybe you hit the hand brake lever. Or maybe the dealer only looked at the outside pad and the inner pad with the sensor is worn. If you can't check the brake pads your self I would take it back to the dealer and tell them that since they did the service the light has been coming on. Let us know what you find.

Not an altogether bad idea, but in my situation, that won't work. The dealership is about an hour and 15 minutes away and I wouldn't have them do the brakes anyway, if they were worn. I'll either do them myself or have my local mechanic do them.

I'm just looking for possible causes here. It's a very strange problem the way it keeps coming on at random times.

OK so I would pull the wheel/s and check the inner pad. Also check the wire and clean and use some contact cleaner on the connector.