I can add that I definitely have had a number of switches fail, and I'm not using synthetic. I even posted a thread on here about it. First, it is just as indicated above. It takes more and more pressure to light the brakes. At some point, it won't go on unless you are at a stop and really holding it down.
Second, in short order, my off the shelf replacement failed, then the OEM one I decided to spend the extra money on failed. These were both in less than a couple of years. I got into the habit of looking at my brakes reflect in chrome grilles and bumpers behind me - which is pretty rare these days! But, there is a truck or so around often enough.
Don't just assume because you can push on the brakes in the garage and see the lights on the wall they at they come on when you really need them. Too many idiots with cell phones out there these days to not give them as much warning as possible.
I then built a very nice bracket that I used with a mechanical switch, wired it to the factory wires, and have never had a problem since. Lights them up when I THINK about braking.
I also rarely jump up and down about Alpine issues. In fact, other than the brake switch and one alternator bolt breaking causing the alternator to fail, I have never had an electrical problem with my Alpine. We're talking 35 years here.