A friction brake system in a vehicle has a spring apply force, a pressure release force and a solenoid release force. The solenoid release force is determined by the electrical dynamic brake capacity available at the vehicle powertrain. Under full braking conditions, when the electric dynamic brake absorption capacity is high, the solenoid release force is high and vice versa. The overall brake force requested is established by an operator input signal. The amount of dynamic braking, the amount of pressure release force and the amount of spring apply force are determined by the requested braking effort from the operator and the amount of dynamic braking that can be absorbed in an energy storage unit associated with the powertrain.