The brakes are frozen - what to do?

Good mood, frosty morning, you get into a clean, just yesterday washed car, and are about to go to work. But alas: after warming up car refuses to move from its place. It gradually becomes clear (experienced neighbors can also tell you): the brakes are frozen.


Moreover, it is not so easy to immediately determine where. It could be the front disc pads or the rear drum pads. The worst thing is if the handbrake cable is frozen in the casing. In modern cars, those that are more expensive, a light indicator will inform the driver about the impossibility of moving from the driver's seat.

Why do brakes freeze?

This trouble may not necessarily happen after washing the car outside. It is enough to drive through even a shallow puddle that has melted from the reagents. Or it may happen due to changeable weather. For example, it snowed and rained all night, and in the morning the frost hit -10°C. Although -5°C is enough for the brakes to freeze. And finally, the handbrake can immobilize the car in winter simply after a long parking outside.

What to do

The first method is the most popular, as it does not involve particularly active actions, but it is also the most "barbaric". Try to rock the car carefully, alternately engaging first and reverse gear. Do not give it full throttle: you will burn the clutch or break the pads. When they come off the drums and/or discs, a characteristic click will be heard. The most radical drivers even use a tow truck.


The second method is to pour warm water on the wheel, if possible, and you are close to housing. But not boiling water! Otherwise, due to the temperature difference, some part will burst. The most difficult to defrost are drum brakes, which lock up more than disc brakes.

The best option here is to remove the wheels. Then it will be easier to pour warm water on the drums. But you need to do it carefully so that the liquid does not get inside. And it is better to cover the unit with a rag: this way the high temperature will last longer. But you will have to put the wheels on quickly: otherwise everything will freeze again. You can also use an alcohol-containing liquid to solve the problem: for example, "antifreeze".


When you are near the garage, the source of voltage, you can use a construction hair dryer. When using this tool, work calmly: you will have time to put the wheels on and everything will not freeze again.

In the field

It's good if you have water or a hair dryer nearby. But what if you don't have any of these? First, try turning the jacked-up wheel with a tire iron, inserting it between the guide pins (be careful not to break it!). Didn't help? Then you'll have to remove the wheels one by one to carefully tap the drums with a hammer. It's best to use it through a wooden pad so as not to break the cast-iron parts. As soon as the wheel starts turning while suspended, move on to the next one. As a last resort, use an open flame.


If there are a lot of people, you can try to rock the car back and forth "manually". There is also an exotic method. But to implement this plan, you will need a hose. It needs to be put on the exhaust pipe and use hot gases to warm up the pads. However, in an open field there is nowhere to get a hose...

To prevent brakes from freezing

If you clean your car from dirt at a car wash, make sure that the car is dry. After accidentally driving into a puddle, as well as before parking (for example, overnight), accelerate and brake sharply (it is better to do this several times) to dry the pads at least a little. If you choose a parking place, try to leave the car where snow does not accumulate.


Clean the wheels of it before leaving: who knows – maybe a thaw will start in the evening, and frost will hit in the morning. And the last point concerning the handbrake: check and replace the cables in time. If their casing is intact, not torn, moisture will not penetrate there and will not freeze.