This may seem like a lame question but I can't find the answer...and yes I've searched.


The e-brake in our cars, it it's only purpose to stop the car from rolling away on uneven surfaces? i know my last 2 cars were standard and all the e-brake did was prevent the car from rolling away...but for example on my gf's auto it will lock the tires and bring you to a screaching halt.


As well my buddys STI, you pull the e-brake and it will lock the tires. Anyone have any ideas????

Why on earth would anybody WANT to lock up the tires?

Why on earth would anybody WANT to lock up the tires?



alot of pro drivers use it for certain manoeuvers, ever watch burning rubber with tiff needell? they make real good use of it.

Ive seen vids of pro japanese drivers (Tsuchiya i think?) use the e-brake on the 8 just fine.
There was one segment where 3 or 4 drivers had a little drift contest in an 8, made good use of the ebrake there.

Ive seen vids of pro japanese drivers (Tsuchiya i think?) use the e-brake on the 8 just fine.
There was one segment where 3 or 4 drivers had a little drift contest in an 8, made good use of the ebrake there.



so is mine broken you think? all mine will do is prevent the car from rolling away, but if I were to pull it while driving it does absolutley nothing.....is anyone elses like this?

It needs adjusting. It should serve as a parking brake (I'm assuming you also leave the car in gear when parked) to take strain off transmission and as a back up should it pop out of gear somehow . . . but it should also serve as an emergency brake should your master cylinder fail while driving or other such calamity.

Are your rear pads real low?

It needs adjusting. It should serve as a parking brake (I'm assuming you also leave the car in gear when parked) to take strain off transmission and as a back up should it pop out of gear somehow . . . but it should also serve as an emergency brake should your master cylinder fail while driving or other such calamity.

Are your rear pads real low?


No, my rear pads aren't too bad. How do you adjust it? thanks

Well, you'll probably get differing opinions on here but I would say the following:

It's possible for the cable to actually stretch over time and the cable itself can be adjusted (at least that is true on past cars I've owned). However, your car is far too new for that to be a likely problem.

More likely is that the rear caliper pistons need adjusting. They are different from the front in that the pistons are actually 'screwed' in with an adjusting screw. In other words, the front calipers are auto adjusting but the rears are not. When you replace pads you need to screw the rear piston in until it touches the pad and then back off slightly so it doesn't rub. You do this by using the adjusting screw behind the caliper.

Caveat - I haven't looked but my understanding is the RX-8 uses a somewhat abnormal adjusting screw. Usually a hex key works but I remember reading that for the RX-8 a special tool is available. I also recall reading that some have found needle nose pliers will suffice. I'm not sure on this point though.

I would imagine that if the rear calipers are adjusted, you'll fine that the parking brake will grab better. You'll know because when you pull up on the handle it will get harder much sooner (less clicks) than it currently does. I hope if nothing else I've got you moving in the right direction. Sorry I can't be more specific or if I've misdiagnosed your problem.

Well, you'll probably get differing opinions on here but I would say the following:

It's possible for the cable to actually stretch over time and the cable itself can be adjusted (at least that is true on past cars I've owned). However, your car is far too new for that to be a likely problem.

More likely is that the rear caliper pistons need adjusting. They are different from the front in that the pistons are actually 'screwed' in with an adjusting screw. In other words, the front calipers are auto adjusting but the rears are not. When you replace pads you need to screw the rear piston in until it touches the pad and then back off slightly so it doesn't rub. You do this by using the adjusting screw behind the caliper.

Caveat - I haven't looked but my understanding is the RX-8 uses a somewhat abnormal adjusting screw. Usually a hex key works but I remember reading that for the RX-8 a special tool is available. I also recall reading that some have found needle nose pliers will suffice. I'm not sure on this point though.

I would imagine that if the rear calipers are adjusted, you'll fine that the parking brake will grab better. You'll know because when you pull up on the handle it will get harder much sooner (less clicks) than it currently does. I hope if nothing else I've got you moving in the right direction. Sorry I can't be more specific or if I've misdiagnosed your problem.



thanks alot bro, when I replace my brake pads I'll take a look and post the results.

This car has more grip on the back tires than you think. You will be having to pull on the e brake harder than nnormal, and be going a lot faster than in other cars to get it to lock the back tires. Its verry posible (and a lot of fun) but you have to be careful because since you have to have a little speed, it can also be dangerous.

This may seem like a lame question but I can't find the answer...and yes I've searched.


The e-brake in our cars, it it's only purpose to stop the car from rolling away on uneven surfaces? i know my last 2 cars were standard and all the e-brake did was prevent the car from rolling away...but for example on my gf's auto it will lock the tires and bring you to a screaching halt.


As well my buddys STI, you pull the e-brake and it will lock the tires. Anyone have any ideas????
Dont do it! "Someone" on here did that on a slight turn and rolled there car! :shocking:

The e-brake in our cars, it it's only purpose to stop the car from rolling away on uneven surfaces? i know my last 2 cars were standard and all the e-brake did was prevent the car from rolling away...but for example on my gf's auto it will lock the tires and bring you to a screaching halt.

As well my buddys STI, you pull the e-brake and it will lock the tires. Anyone have any ideas????

The Parking Brake on the RX-8 is no different than any other car. It is a simple mechanical linkage to engage the rear brakes. Typically it is used when the car is parked to insure that it does not move.

Yes, if you pull hard on the parking brake while driving you can lock the rear wheels. Being a mechanical linkage it by-passes the ABS. Not sure why you would want to do this though.

alot of pro drivers use it for certain manoeuvers, ever watch burning rubber with tiff needell? they make real good use of it.
Ahh, I see. I didn't realize you were a pro driver. Me, I'm just a regular driver, so if I ever have to apply the ebrake for stopping, I intend to do it gently enough to stop the car without locking the tires.

Being a mechanical linkage it by-passes the ABS. Not sure why you would want to do this though.

didn't you read? his friend's STi does it so he can do 'certain maneuvers'. Odds are he just cam back from seeing Fast & the Furious: Tokyo Drift and wants to do it like the movies. :rock:

as soon as i saw that movie i ordered a jdm engine for my mustang fastback...

Why on earth would anybody WANT to lock up the tires?

One word...drift.

And I say that not due to the new movie.

While I am strictly a "street" driver, my impression was that drifting is accomplished by breaking loose the rear tires in a turn with too much power, not simply locking the rear wheels up. Do I have it wrong?

While I am strictly a "street" driver, my impression was that drifting is accomplished by breaking loose the rear tires in a turn with too much power, not simply locking the rear wheels up. Do I have it wrong?
You can swing it how ever you want? AT or MT I have seen it all drift and its all about the style and speed :mdrmed:

Just go faster and pull up on the hand brake harder. If you try it in a curve your results will be much more spectacular.

For everybody else just ignore the whole thing.

It should serve as a parking brake (I'm assuming you also leave the car in gear when parked) to take strain off transmission

I keep my car parked in my garage, left in gear, but without the emergency brake. Does that put alot of strain on the gears? I sometimes don't drive the car for a couple weeks and I noticed when I leave the e-brake on, then I take it off, it makes a strange noise when I release it. Almost like it is getting stuck from moisture or something. I figured being that the garage is level, there should not be much strain. Any thoughts?