AMERICAN BRAKE CENTERS INC.

(502) 203-0454 for Bashford Ave or (502) 230-4279 for the Preston Hwy location | 3435 Bashford Ave Ct Louisville, KY 40218

AUTONET TV

The Third Brake Light (Third Brake Light Service)

Posted March 1, 2026 1:14 AM

So you thought you only had two brake lights. Look again and you'll see one in the center at a higher level than the two on either side of the vehicle. They're sometimes in the inside of the vehicle behind the back window, or they could be in the deck lid, on the roof or on the spare wheel carrier,

But why is that third brake on your vehicle? Experts say it helps prevent rear end collisions. Tests done by installing the third brake light in taxis and fleet vehicles showed fewer rear end crashes in the ones that had the extra light. The third brake light was mandated in new passenger cars in 1986 in the US and Canada. The requirement was added to new light trucks and vans in 1994.

Sometimes it's difficult to know if your third brake light is even working. Many vehicles have bulb warning systems that alert you to non-functional bulbs, but not all do. Your vehicle service facility will often check to see if all your turn signals, taillights and headlights are working during routine maintenance inspections, and they may notice that the third brake light is out.

So, do you have to have it replaced? Not necessarily. Many areas only require one brake light to work in the rear of a vehicle. So even though new vehicles have to have the third brake light, you may not get a ticket if it eventually stops working. But you may be missing an opportunity to drive a safer vehicle if you don't get it fixed.

In 1995, an insurance institute study found that 1986 model cars were involved in 5 percent fewer rear-end collisions from 1986-1991 than they would have expected without the extra light.

Ask your service advisor for advice. Keep in mind that in these days of drivers distracted by everything from texting to putting on makeup while driving, you can reasonably conclude that anything that makes you more visible to the vehicle behind you adds one more—possibly life saving—safety margin.

American Brake Centers Inc.
3435 Bashford Ave Ct.
Louisville, KY 40218
502-459-0355
http://www.americanbrakecenters.biz

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I couldn't be more impressed with my experience here. Each time I've used them, they've gone above and beyond. The diagnostic work done was thorough, pinpointing every issue while explained everything in detail and giving me options that worked within my budget. The repair was completed in a timely manner, and I really appreciated how quickly they got everything sorted without cutting corners. On top of that, they weren't trying to sell me additional repairs that other shops tried to tack on to the estimate. Because of that I ended up saving a significant amount of money compared to other quotes I had gotten elsewhere. I highly recommend this crew at American Brake Center to anyone looking for quality, honesty, and fantastic service. These guys know their stuff and it shows they care about their customers!

Mark Doyle, 02/27/2026

I was recommended to American brake Center a couple years ago. I have taken several of our families vehicles there for several different things. I am skeptical of mechanics in general. However, the owner and his employees do really good work. They appear to be very trustworthy and their prices are good. It’s hard to find a good mechanic you can trust. They are always honest and if they cannot fix it for whatever reason, they will recommend a place that can do the work and would be trustworthy. I highly recommend American Brake Center.

Martin Higgs, 10/29/2025

You won't find a more trustworthy auto-repair shop in Louisville. I've been bringing my vehicles here for several years now, and I highly recommend American Brakes to all my family and friends. Scott has his customers' best interests at heart. It's affordable and leaves you feeling worry-free with their excellent customer service and expert analysis.

Matt Brown, 07/18/2025

The crew here has been incredibly effective, prompt, knowledgeable, and kind. I came in for a second opinion on an AC repair and not only did they save me a significant amount of money, but they also had the work finished the same day I dropped it off. Their honesty and efficiency really stood out. I’ll definitely be bringing my business here from now on.

Brandon, 07/03/2025

I had my rotors and brake pads replaced here a few months ago. Recently my brakes started squeaking again. Since it was still under warranty, I brought my truck back and they fixed the issue within a day. Another shop quoted me almost double for what I paid originally.