2010-2015 Honda CR-Z Brake Upgrade Options

By Core Brake Parts Tech Team — Circleville, OH warehouse

The most effective brake upgrade for a 2010-2015 Honda CR-Z is a better front pad compound, paired with fresh DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluid and good rotors. The CR-Z already has disc brakes at all four wheels with ABS, electronic brake distribution and brake assist, so the gains come from friction material and heat management rather than a big brake kit. Pick a pad by how you drive: a low-dust ceramic for daily use, or a fast-street aramid compound if you run canyon roads or the occasional autocross.

How the CR-Z Brake System Works

Honda's owner's manual for the CR-Z states the car uses disc brakes at all four wheels with a vacuum power assist to reduce pedal effort. On top of the hydraulic system sit three electronic layers: anti-lock braking (ABS), electronic brake distribution (EBD), which is part of the ABS and balances front-to-rear braking force, and a brake assist system that adds stopping force when you press the pedal hard in an emergency. The manual notes that when brake assist operates, the pedal may move slightly and you may hear an operating noise, which is normal.

Because the CR-Z is a hybrid with Honda's IMA system, part of your everyday slowing comes from the electric motor recovering energy rather than from the friction brakes. That is one reason CR-Z pads often last a long time in commuting, and also why pad and rotor surfaces can glaze or collect light corrosion when the friction brakes see little use. When you do lean on the brakes hard, the friction system does the real work, and that is where an upgrade shows.

Two factory wheel packages matter when you shop for parts. The manual lists P195/55R16 tires on 16 x 6J wheels and 205/45R17 tires on 17 x 6.5J wheels. Any upgrade has to clear the wheel you run, which is another reason a pad-and-rotor upgrade fits this car better than an oversized caliper conversion.

Upgrade Path 1: Front Pad Compound

The front axle does most of the braking, so the front pads are where you notice a change first. We carry two EBC front compounds built for the 2010-2015 CR-Z, and they suit very different drivers.

Redstuff: the daily-driver upgrade

EBC describes Redstuff as an aramid fiber pad enhanced with ceramic granules and zero steel fiber. EBC's own figure is a 60 to 90 percent reduction in brake dust, and because there is no metallic fiber in the dust it washes off wheels instead of etching into alloy finishes. EBC also says Redstuff bites strongly from cold, as good as the original pads or better. For a CR-Z that spends most of its life commuting, this is the pad that improves feel without adding noise or dirty wheels.

Yellowstuff: the fast-street upgrade

Yellowstuff is EBC's aramid fast-street compound with strong cold bite and high-temperature fade resistance. EBC lists its green fade threshold at 400 degrees C (750 degrees F), the temperature at which the pad fully cures its resins for higher-temperature use. Be honest about your use: EBC says track days can push brake temperatures above 500 to 600 degrees C and no longer recommends Yellowstuff for dedicated track use. For spirited street driving and lighter cars on short events, it is a strong match for a car as light as the CR-Z.

Upgrade Path 2: Brake Fluid

Fresh fluid is the cheapest brake upgrade on any car. Honda specifies Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3 for the CR-Z, and the same reservoir area also holds clutch fluid on manual-transmission cars. The manual says that if the specified fluid is not available you should use only DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluid from a sealed container, and it warns that fluid marked DOT 5 is not compatible with the braking system and can cause extensive damage.

Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, which lowers its boiling point and softens the pedal when the brakes get hot. If you are fitting a more aggressive pad like Yellowstuff, a full flush with fresh DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluid is the right companion job. Follow the fluid replacement interval shown by your car's maintenance reminder, and never mix in DOT 5 silicone fluid.

Upgrade Path 3: Rotors and Hardware

A new pad compound needs a clean, flat rotor surface to bed in evenly. If your rotors have a lip at the outer edge, visible grooves, heavy rust on the braking face, or cause a pulsing pedal, replace them with the pads. Browse replacement brake rotors and confirm fitment against your CR-Z's year before ordering. New brake hardware kits with fresh abutment clips help pads slide freely, which matters on a car where the friction brakes may sit unused for long stretches between hard stops.

If a caliper slide pin is seized or a caliper piston is sticking, fix that before blaming the pads. A sticking caliper causes uneven pad wear, a pull to one side and a hot wheel after driving, and no pad compound will cure it. See our brake calipers if yours needs replacement.

Signs Your CR-Z Brakes Need Attention

• Continuous metallic friction sound when braking. Honda's manual states this means the pads need replacement.
• Brake system indicator on. The red parking brake and brake system light comes on when the parking brake is applied, when brake fluid is low, or when there is a problem with the brake system. If it stays on with the parking brake released, check the fluid level and have the system inspected.
• Brakes fading on long descents. The manual notes that constant pedal use on a long hill builds heat and reduces braking effectiveness. Use engine braking and a lower gear; if fade still shows up in normal driving, old fluid or glazed pads are likely.
• Weak brakes after deep water. Honda recommends drying the brakes by lightly pressing the pedal several times.

NHTSA's recall data for the 2011 through 2016 CR-Z lists campaigns for driver airbag inflators and one 2011 powertrain software campaign, but no brake-component recall. Brake complaints on a CR-Z are almost always ordinary wear, fluid condition or a sticking caliper rather than a factory defect.

How Hard Is the Job?

A front pad change on a CR-Z is a straightforward job for a home mechanic with a jack, stands, a torque wrench and basic hand tools. Plan on an afternoon for pads and rotors on both front wheels, plus time for a fluid flush if you do it. Torque the caliper bolts and wheel nuts to the values in the factory service manual, clean and lubricate the slide pins, and pump the pedal until it is firm before the car moves. Then bed the pads in following the pad maker's guidance before any hard driving. Shop the full range of brake pads if you also need rears.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a big brake kit on a Honda CR-Z?

For street driving, no. The CR-Z already has four-wheel discs with ABS, EBD and brake assist. A better front pad, fresh fluid and good rotors give most drivers a noticeable improvement without changing wheels.

Which is better for my CR-Z, Redstuff or Yellowstuff?

Redstuff suits daily driving: very low dust, quiet, and strong cold bite. Yellowstuff suits fast street driving and hill roads, with more heat tolerance. Neither is EBC's choice for dedicated track days.

Can I use DOT 4 brake fluid in a CR-Z?

Honda specifies Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3 and says DOT 3 or DOT 4 from a sealed container can be used if that is not available. Never use DOT 5.

Why do my new pads feel weak at first?

Performance pads need to bed in. EBC says Yellowstuff beds in over the first 100-200 miles of urban driving, while Redstuff can take up to 500 miles or more to reach full performance.

Why do CR-Z brakes get rusty or glazed?

Regenerative braking from the hybrid system handles much of the gentle slowing, so the friction brakes can sit unused. Occasional firm stops in a safe place help keep the pad and rotor faces clean.

Sources

1. Honda 2013 CR-Z Owner's Manual (techinfo.honda.com) - four-wheel discs, vacuum assist, ABS, EBD, brake assist, DOT 3 fluid spec, DOT 5 warning, pad wear sound, tire and wheel sizes
2. EBC Brakes - Yellowstuff Fast Street Brake Pads - aramid compound, 400 C green fade threshold, track temperature guidance, 100-200 mile bedding
3. EBC Brakes - Redstuff Ceramic Brake Pads - aramid and ceramic compound, 60-90 percent dust reduction, cold bite, bed-in period
4. EBC Brakes - Low Dust Ceramic Brake Pads - no metallic fiber, 40-50 mile break-in coating, up to 500 miles to full performance
5. NHTSA Recalls by Vehicle - Honda CR-Z - recall campaigns for the CR-Z, none brake-related