I think I need to change the brakes

Hello, I'm Danny.

Here is the information you requested. The brake light is probably coming on due to a low brake fluid level because of excessively worn brake pads causing the level to drop. This is a tutorial showing what is involved on how to change rear brake pads and brake rotors:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-rear-brake-pads-and-rotors

Here is a tutorial from or site showing how to compress the brake caliper piston:

https://youtu.be/j8YwfSKEzZo

I've attached picture steps below on how to change the rear brake pads on your vehicle. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.

if i am somewhat experienced mechanically can i remove and replace my rear rotors and pads w/out any special tools.. i understand it would be metric but what will i need and if i remove the caliper do i just press the piston back into it and insert the new pads

there is a special tool required to compress the rear brake pistons into the caliper. By the design of the calipers which double as the parking brakes the pistons need to be rotated & pressed in at the same time. there are several different designs of special tool one being the cheapest is the brake cube. the other being a little more expensive is the piston compressor tool. This video help you you fix it.

https://youtu.be/j8YwfSKEzZo

Please run down this guide and report back.