2016 Mazda CX-5 Brake Upgrade Options

By Core Brake Parts Tech Team — Circleville, OH warehouse

The most useful brake upgrade for a 2016 Mazda CX-5 is a better pad compound on stock-size rotors, not a big brake kit. A performance street pad such as EBC Greenstuff 2000 gives a stronger initial bite, while a ceramic pad such as EBC Redstuff trades a little of that bite for much cleaner wheels. Before you upgrade the rear, rule out the known 2016 rear brake drag issue tied to the electronic parking brake, because no pad will fix that.

How the 2016 CX-5 Brake System Works

The 2016 CX-5 uses disc brakes at all four corners. The front calipers do most of the stopping, and the rear calipers share the work while also serving as the parking brake. Instead of a hand lever and cables, this model uses an electric parking brake (EPB): pulling the switch tells a control module to drive a small motor at each rear caliper, which clamps the rear pads against the rotors.

That design matters for any upgrade. Mazda's owner's manual notes that the EPB makes an operating sound when it applies or releases, that the brake pedal may move slightly while it works, and that it will not operate with a dead battery. It also warns not to drive with the parking brake applied, because brake parts can overheat. If a rear caliper is not fully releasing, the rear pads wear fast and run hot no matter which compound you install.

The CX-5 pads also carry built-in wear indicators. According to Mazda, when the pads wear down the indicator contacts the rotor and makes a screeching noise to warn you that replacement is due. Mazda is direct about it: driving on worn pads is dangerous and can lead to brake failure.

Check This First: The 2016 CX-5 Rear Brake Drag Bulletin

Mazda issued Service Bulletin 04-005/16, "Noise From Rear Brakes Due to Brake Drag," for 2016 CX-5 vehicles produced before February 22, 2016. The bulletin describes rear brake dragging that causes brake noise and abnormal wear on the outer rear pad, and it traces the cause to the EPB not releasing completely.

The dealer repair replaces the EPB control module with one running modified logic. The bulletin adds that if the rear pads or rear rotors are abnormally worn or damaged, they should be replaced as part of the job. For an owner, the practical takeaway is simple:

• If your rear pads are wearing faster than your fronts, or the outer rear pad is thinner than the inner, suspect EPB drag before you blame the pad.
• Have a Mazda dealer check whether your VIN falls under the bulletin and whether the updated module is already installed.
• Once the drag is fixed, fit new rear pads and inspect the rear rotors for heat damage, grooving or lip wear.

Upgrading pads on top of a dragging caliper just wears out a more expensive set of pads faster. Fix the cause first, then upgrade.

Upgrade Options Compared

For a daily-driven compact crossover, the real choice is between a performance street pad and a low-dust ceramic pad. Both fit the stock calipers and rotors, so there is no modification involved. Here is how the two EBC options we carry for the 2016 CX-5 rear axle compare, based on EBC's own published descriptions:

EBC describes Greenstuff as a street pad, not a track pad, and Redstuff as its premium low-dust pad for fast road driving. Neither is meant for racing, and neither needs to be. A CX-5 used for commuting, highway trips and the occasional loaded weekend is exactly what these compounds are built for.

Which Pad Fits How You Drive

Choose Greenstuff 2000 if you want more bite

If your stock pedal feels soft or slow to respond, or you often drive loaded with passengers and cargo, the EBC Greenstuff 2000 rear brake pad set for the 2016 CX-5 is the stronger-feeling option. EBC claims a nominal 10 to 15 percent braking improvement over stock pads and better fade resistance at higher speeds. The trade-off is a medium amount of dust on your wheels.

Choose Redstuff Ceramic if you want clean wheels

If brake dust on the alloys is your main complaint, the EBC Redstuff ceramic low-dust rear pads for the 2016 CX-5 are the better match. EBC markets them as cutting dust sharply compared with conventional pads, and the dust that does form contains no steel fiber, so it is less likely to stain. They still deliver a meaningful improvement in stopping feel over worn stock pads.

Match the front axle

Rear pads alone will not transform how the CX-5 stops, because the front brakes carry most of the load. For a balanced result, upgrade the front pads at the same time with a compound of similar character. Browse our brake pad collection or the ceramic brake pads if you prefer a quiet, low-dust setup on both ends. Mixing a very aggressive front pad with a mild rear pad, or the reverse, can make the pedal feel uneven.

What to Replace at the Same Time

• Rotors: New pads need a flat, clean rotor surface to bed in properly. If the rotors have a raised lip at the outer edge, deep grooves, blue heat spots or a pulsation in the pedal, replace them. See our brake rotors.
• Hardware: Fresh abutment clips and anti-rattle springs keep pads sliding freely and cut noise. Our brake hardware kits cover this.
• Caliper slide pins: Clean and lubricate the slides with a high-temperature brake grease. A sticking slide causes the same uneven wear as EPB drag.
• Brake fluid: If the fluid is dark or its service interval has passed, flush it using the fluid type printed on the reservoir cap and in your owner's manual.

How Hard Is the Job?

Front pads on the CX-5 are a straightforward job for a home mechanic with basic hand tools, a jack and jack stands. The rear is different because of the electric parking brake. The rear caliper pistons are driven by the EPB motors, so they must be retracted electronically before the new, thicker pads will fit. That is typically done with a scan tool that puts the EPB into its service mode, following the procedure in the factory service information.

Do not try to force the rear pistons back with a C-clamp while the EPB motor is engaged; you can damage the actuator. If you do not have a scan tool that supports the Mazda EPB service function, have a shop handle the rear axle. Tighten caliper bolts and wheel lug nuts to the values in the factory service manual, and bed the new pads in with a series of moderate stops before any hard braking. After the job, apply and release the EPB a few times and confirm the warning lights are off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 2016 Mazda CX-5 have rear disc brakes?

Yes. It uses disc brakes front and rear, and the rear calipers also contain the electric parking brake actuators.

Why are my 2016 CX-5 rear pads wearing out so fast?

Mazda Service Bulletin 04-005/16 covers early-production 2016 CX-5s where the electric parking brake does not fully release, causing rear brake drag, noise and abnormal outer pad wear. A dealer can check your VIN and update the control module.

Is Greenstuff or Redstuff better for a CX-5?

Greenstuff 2000 gives a stronger initial bite and suits drivers who want a firmer pedal. Redstuff Ceramic makes much less dust and suits drivers who care most about clean wheels and quiet operation. Both fit stock rotors.

Do I need a big brake kit on a CX-5?

For street driving, no. A quality pad upgrade with fresh rotors and properly serviced slides gives most CX-5 owners the improvement they are looking for without changing wheels or calipers.

Can I replace the rear pads without a scan tool?

The EPB must be put into its service mode so the rear pistons can retract. That normally requires a scan tool that supports the Mazda EPB function, so without one, have a shop do the rear pads.

Sources

1. Mazda Service Bulletin 04-005/16 (NHTSA) - 2016 CX-5 rear brake drag caused by incomplete EPB release, affected production, repair procedure
2. 2016 Mazda CX-5 Owner's Manual: Electric Parking Brake - EPB operation, normal sounds, pedal movement, dead-battery and driving-with-EPB warnings
3. 2016 Mazda CX-5 Owner's Manual: Brake Pad Wear Indicator - wear indicator screech and worn-pad warning
4. EBC Greenstuff Brake Pads - compound, 0.55 friction rating, 10-15 percent improvement claim, dust, brake-in coating, street not track use
5. EBC Redstuff Ceramic Brake Pads - copper-free ceramic compound, low dust, no steel fiber, roughly 500 km bed-in