These instructions apply to the Jaguar F-Type Mk1 (X152) 2013-Present.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
The Jaguar F-Type (X152, 2013–Present) uses an electronic parking brake on its rear axle, and Jaguar built in an owner-usable maintenance mode for it. Before a rear pad change you put the EPB into that mode so the cable actuators release and stay released — you can’t just switch the brake off and start work, and you must never force the screw-type rear pistons back by hand.
What maintenance mode is and why the X152 needs it
The F-Type’s rear calipers carry threaded pistons pulled by cables from electric actuators. With the system live, those actuators keep the cables tensioned and the brake re-applies the instant it senses a release attempt. Maintenance mode (“Park brake in maintenance mode” on the cluster) winds the actuators fully off and disables the switch, so the brake stays slack while you work and can’t clamp shut on your fingers. On performance and R variants the rear calipers are larger, but the EPB procedure is the same.
Entering maintenance mode and retracting the calipers
Park on level ground, chock a front wheel and fit a battery charger — low voltage aborts the routine.
- Switch the ignition ON without starting the engine.
- Hold the EPB switch in the release (off) position for about two seconds.
- Keeping it held, press the accelerator fully to the floor for about two seconds.
- Still holding both, cycle the ignition OFF then ON again quickly.
- The display should read “Park brake in maintenance mode” and the actuators go silent. Switch the ignition off.
With the brake released, remove the caliper and wind the rear piston clockwise back into its bore using a peg-type wind-back tool. Unbolting the cable actuator first makes the spindle easier to turn. Fit the new pads and reassemble.
Never force the pistons back by hand
Never push or clamp the F-Type’s rear pistons straight back. They are threaded and only retract by winding clockwise. Forcing one straight ruins the thread, and driving it back through a live actuator shears the gearset. If a piston resists, recheck that the car is in maintenance mode and the cable is slack before doing anything else. Wind it in; never lever it.
Exit and bed-in
With the pads in and wheels back on, exit by repeating the sequence but holding the EPB switch in the apply (on) position so the actuators re-tension to the new pads. Keep the ignition ON until it completes — switching off mid-cycle can log a U3000 fault. Jaguar’s formal calibration also calls for a battery-disconnect step on some builds, so if a fault persists, follow the full re-calibration. Pump the pedal until firm, cycle the EPB on and off three times and confirm it holds on a slope. Bed the pads in with several firm slow-downs from about 30 mph, cooling between stops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do the F-Type rear pads with no scanner? On most X152s, yes — the switch-and-accelerator maintenance-mode sequence is owner-accessible. Keep JLR Pathfinder (or a generic EPB tool) as a fallback for the calibration step.
I have an EPB fault after the pad change — why? Usually the calibration didn’t complete or the ignition was cut mid-sequence. Re-run the exit with the switch held in apply and the ignition on; if it sticks, run apply/release from a scan tool, and on some cars a 30-second battery disconnect is part of the official calibration.
Do the rear pistons wind or push? They wind. Turn each clockwise with a peg tool; never use a straight clamp.
Why won’t the sequence engage? Battery voltage or timing. Charge the battery and hold each step the full two seconds with a crisp ignition off/on at the end.
Are the R / SVR brakes different? The calipers are bigger and the pads thicker, but the EPB maintenance-mode procedure is identical; just allow for the larger piston travel when winding back.
If a brake or EPB fault code appears while you work, decode it first on our sister site autodtcs.com.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Jaguar. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.