The brake light on the dashboard has recently been lighting up on 2 occasions. It stays on for a few minutes and then goes out. The manual says it might be low brake fluid, but the level is fine. I know that the pads need to be replaced, but does the brake light indicate that? Any other ideas?

Most of the time when your brake pads get low the fluid level drops some. When it hits a certain level the brake light will come on letting you know the fluid level is low.If the level is around the low mark when you go around a corner or up or down a hill it will come on.

It is also possible, if the 2001 model is the same as the 97 model, that a worn clutch can influence the light coming on as they share the same fluid reservior.