Journal
Car won't pull away after you've been away?
Posted on September 19th, 2005, in the afternoon
In the hope of saving someone a mechanic's call-out fee:
If you've left your car for a couple of weeks, and although it starts it won't pull away, it might be that your handbrake has rusted on. Which isn't as drastic as it sounds.
First off just try pulling away sharply. Apparently that usually sorts it out. If not, try hitting your wheel with something (the mechanic I called used a hammer!). Apparently the brake just sticks and a good thump releases it.
While I'm hugely grateful to have my car working again with no more bother than that, it does seem slightly outrageous to pay £40 for a two mile round trip and one hammer blow.
