Emergency Brake Adjustment

The handbrake. The parking brake. The emergency brake.

No matter what you call it, we've all got one. You know, it's that cool handle that sits right next to the gear shift.

And while it's fun to sit and play with, or adorn with wood, chrome, or aluminum, it's something you should keep an eye on occasionally. Trust me, you'll thank me that one day when you park on a hill, and the car pops out of gear and starts rolling. Possibly towards another Miata…

So take a minute, run outside, press the button, and release the brake. Then pull it up, and count the clicks. Go ahead, I'll wait.

According to Mazda, the acceptable amount of clicks you should hear is 5-7. If the handle is completely vertical, then the brakes are probably not even touching the rotors.

So here's a quick way to adjust the brake. It will probably take you no more than 5 minutes, mostly because of a certain stupid screw.

So take your Phillips screwdriver, and locate the stupid screw on the side of the brake handle casing next to the driver's seat. Now remove it.

Once removed, you'll notice the outer casing is loose. Grab the casing, and gently, but firmly, pull down and towards the seats. You'll hear a pop, and the casing will separate into two pieces for removal. You'll also want to tug on the carpet around the base of the handle (it's just held in place with Velcro) and get it out of your way.

Then look straight down between the brake handle and the center console, and you'll see a 6-sided adjustment "nut" (cylinder?) that's attached to the parking brake handle by a little brass fitting. You'll also notice the top of this nut has a groove, in which a flat blade screwdriver fits nicely.

Press the button on the handle, and release the brake. Then take your flat blade screwdriver and turn the nut clockwise. You'll hear it click as it turns in the brass fitting. Occasionally, pull up on the handle and count the number of clicks you hear. Keep turning the adjustment nut until the brake handle has the recommended 5-7 clicks.

Once it's back to spec, fit the two plastic casing parts back together, screw them back together and you're done.