Hibernate

Post Mon Mar 31, 2014 8:51 am

My cars been off the road for two months...is there anything I should be doing? Draining fluids etc,I've driven 5k since its last full service,couple of hundred miles since oil change.
I'm not sure how long it'll be before I tax it,could be a few weeks or nightmare months.

Post Mon Mar 31, 2014 8:58 am

start it up and move it back/forth to make sure the hand brake isn't seized on....then park it in gear without the h/brake on . chock the wheels if your on a slight slope and use the h/brake if a big slope/hill .

Post Mon Mar 31, 2014 10:41 am

I had a new rear brake set fitted last summer,would that make a difference?

Post Mon Mar 31, 2014 1:01 pm

No, the handbrake will still seize on if you leave it too long.

Post Mon Mar 31, 2014 1:22 pm

Ok thanks.
What happens when its seized?
Sounds like it could be a pricey fix.

Post Mon Mar 31, 2014 2:03 pm

Damp or moisture in the air causes the shoes to rust themselves onto the drum, then it seizes.

If you are lucky, you can rock the car back and forth to release them, but otherwise you will have to dismantle the brakes to free them off, and getting the drums off will be a bind!

Hence it's best to leave the handbrake off if the car is left for more than a few weeks.

Post Mon Mar 31, 2014 9:02 pm