Brake lock up after car wash
 

After washing my frs and putting in the garage, I have found that the next day I get in it to drive, the car will not move in reverse ( or forward) without me revving it up to overcome the locked up pads on the rotors. Anyone else had this issue and how did you fix it? I have researched this issue on other car forum and found some answers, but just want to hear anything specific to our cars.

Never happen to me on other cars..

That's fairly normal, it's usually from a very light coating of rust between the rotors and pads. It gets wiped right off the next time you hit the brakes.

Always brake test it after washing to keep this from happening.

@RichardsFRS you mean have a drive around the corner after wash, to make the brake works a bit? The problem it is winter right now and there is dirty slush out there, don't want to get it dirty right away.

Are you setting the parking/emergency brake .. ??

The drum/shoe emergency brake may not be releasing till you drive a few feet.

If you are setting the brake, I suggest you not set it and just leave your car in gear (assuming your garage floor is relatively level).

If you're not setting the brake, and the pads are sticking to the rotors, I wouldn't worry about it.


humfrz

That's the idea, you pulses the brakes to remove all that oxidized brake material, my car screeches lightly after a wash and it's only 6 months old, some of my other cars do the same. If it continues after driving for some time then it is time for concern.

Did it make a little clunk sound as soon as you started to move.

Whenever I use my e-brake and park my car for a day or two, it somehow locks itself even if I release the e-brake lever. As soon as I start to roll, the e-brake disengages and makes a light clunking sound. It happens on my other car also, specially if I park in my driveway which has a slope.

@Sideways

yea one big clunk noise as soon as it unlocks and only after car wash.

@humfrz

yes I have e-brake up, yea I will try just in gear after wash next time. Never happened in summer, maybe brake surface oxidation much quicker in winter with all the salt we have here...

Brake rust, completely normal. Don't even worry about it.

Yea you can drive around the corner or just jump forward and slam the brakes. They'll sound awful but it shaves the rust off

Seeing as you live in the great white north, you sure the water left on the pads or shoes isn't just freezing?