We've almost got 400 miles on our car and it looks and runs great. I can't believe, though, how much black brake dust has gathered all over the wheels; especially the front ones, in such a short amount of time. From the experiences of others, will this be a continuing problem or does the brake dust problem lessen over time? Thank you.

 

It's the pads, and the color of the dust.

No brake pad is truly dustless.

I don't know if they make them for the RX8 yet, but mintex red brake pads were pretty good on some other euro cars that I've had in the past.

I might try a MS set of pads soon and see how they work.

Just a tip, as I hate using off the shelf rim cleaner, it usually never works 100%. Make a mixture of rubbing alcohol and bottled water. 1 part alchohol to about 3-4 parts water. Bottled water will usually not leave water marks. Spray all over and use a rag to clean.

Hit the rims with a wax when you have them all clean

 

Hey this is a great tip. Does the mixture actually work better than rim cleaner or is it just cheaper? I'll try this next spring when I get the factory rims ready to go back on the car. Thanks again. - H

 

actually the bottled water tip is good however you want to make sure that you buy DISTILLED water it comes in gallon jugs at the grocery store and costs around $1-2. some bottled waters can leave spots however distilled cant since it has no mineral content which is what the spots are made of. in fact some people are so obsessed that they rinse the car with distilled water after washing it. just remember to look for that word.

 

This brake dust problem seriously annoys me as well.

It does not diminish after you have more miles on the car. I have about 7500 on mine at this point and it is just as bad as it was when it was brand new.

I can wash my car and have all of the brake dust cleaned up, and about 60 miles later the front rims are covered again.

I heard some commercial on the radio the other day for some kind of new ceramic brake pads that Wagner is making that are supposed to be dustless and are supposed to perform better than OEM pads. Anybody know anything about these pads? Sounds like something that might minimize the dust, but I seriously doubt that they perform as well.

 

It's probably cheaper, but I use it because it works a LOT better!!!

 

Doesnt ceramic wear out your rotors?

 

Well I can say that the brake dust on the 8 is annoying since it is such a hot car, but the amount is nowhere near what I have experienced with any other vehicle. My wife's van will have black wheels the same day I wash it, so it can be worse from my experience.

 

The brake dust on my G35c was bad too; worse than the 8. First I replaced them w/ Hawk HPS pads. NO more dust - period; but they would sqweel alot. Then I got a set of Satisfied Pro ceramic pads f/ Tire Rack. NO dust and NO sqweel.
Very happy with my switch.

So far they do not have an application for the 8 - yet.
Does anyone know if the 8's pads fit other Mazda's? That is how I got my Hawk pads. Hawk had no application for the G, but I found out the G and the Maxima had the same pads. So I ordered pads for Maxima's.

 

I agree with Air Force RX8. I think the brake dust is minor in this car, I get a slight film in a week, then I just clean them, nothing that I would buy new pads over though. Great tip on the alcohol mixture though, I think I'll try it and save a bunch of money on wheel cleaner for as much as it costs.

 

Mine are practically black after each day's drive.
Kinda annoying, but that is the price to pay for all that grip at a low temperature.
If you go to a less dusty pad, you will have to wait 'till the pads heat up to get all your stopping power.

 

Thanks! I've copied to a file of car tips that I keep on my computer, and I'll give it a shot. Have a good one - H