2013~2016 CX-5 Weak Brakes - Fully Loaded

[George___42]

Hello Everyone,

I have a 2013 Mazda CX5 I got as Fixer-Upper (It's been a great car, got 6.9L/100km driving between cities)

But, I've noticed I've had to press the brakes decently hard when the car was fully loaded (5 Adults, 1 Suitcase)
This was to stop from 100kmph to zero when traffic went to a stop on the highway.

I do know this car has brakes that go further down than most cars due to how mazda tunes the brakes,

But what about this? Is it the same for you guys, or should I be looking into better Pads and Rotors?
This is my sister's car, so it was the first time I drove in a while, and she drives alone so I never got any complaints before.

But obviously if the brakes are bad, I'm going to swap them ASAP

 

[dan25man]

When's the last time the brake fluid was changed? I'd start there first. Old brake fluid will collect water and over time the water can make the brake system feel spongier than intended. Your sister probably didn't notice as it's a slow change. Honestly most people are really fine tuned to "feel" bad brakes.

Glad you noticed now and not in an emergency. It could also worn pads and rotors. Very easy to visually inspect the pads and or measure the rotor thickness. Not sure what the limits are for the 2013-2016 rotors.

 

[HyFlyer]

Could even be something like frozen caliper slide pins. I've seen that happen and the outside pads don't touch the rotors so only the inside pads are working. That would GREATLY reduce braking power!

Do you live in an area that uses road salt and winter conditions?

I would start with going through the brakes (front and rear) and look for any uneven wear on inside vs outside and left vs right pads and check to see if the caliper slide pins are free and moving and the pads are free and moving inside the bracket clips.

 

[George___42]

When's the last time the brake fluid was changed? I'd start there first. Old brake fluid will collect water and over time the water can make the brake system feel spongier than intended. Your sister probably didn't notice as it's a slow change. Honestly most people are really fine tuned to "feel" bad brakes.

Glad you noticed now and not in an emergency. It could also worn pads and rotors. Very easy to visually inspect the pads and or measure the rotor thickness. Not sure what the limits are for the 2013-2016 rotors.

Thank you for your reply!

I did put new OEM Dot 3 Fluid when we got the car (It was a fixer upper, so all fluids are new, transmission included). That was at 179,000kms, its now at 202,000kms. So probably time to do them tbh.

Measured the rotors using a caliper, and they are currently at 27.5mm, with a discard thickness of 26 and new of 28, looks to be halfway through its life, with only a minor lip forming.

The pads were also changed when I got the car, but stupidly, I was in a rush, and did not use the most high quality pads. They are ceramics, but they are a store brand from the local autovalue ( I know..., but in my defense they used to be rebranded Bosch pads).


The brakes work fine for the most part, but I only really noticed how weak they were compared to the other cars we have (Toyotas) when it was fully loaded. Admittable, my main car has much much bigger brakes, but even my moms rav4 of the same year felt stronger.

I'm starting to suspect its the pads, but it would be a shame to throw the rotors with how much life they have.

 

[George___42]

Could even be something like frozen caliper slide pins. I've seen that happen and the outside pads don't touch the rotors so only the inside pads are working. That would GREATLY reduce braking power!

Do you live in an area that uses road salt and winter conditions?

I would start with going through the brakes (front and rear) and look for any uneven wear on inside vs outside and left vs right pads and check to see if the caliper slide pins are free and moving and the pads are free and moving inside the bracket clips.

Yeah that is a very good point.

This car is in a very cold and high salt place (Calgary), and the last time the pins were greased was when the pads were replaced at 179,000kms. (202,000kms now). Plus its the only car we have that sits outside.

I have to change tires to summers so its a easy thing to check.
Thank you!