Brake pads fused to discs

[scohtay]

Don't know if anyone had this problem but it was a bugger. Model 3P purchased Aug. 19. Washed my car, put it in the garage, went on 10 days trip, got home, car would not move!

Two tow trucks, multiple calls to Tesla (service center is a mile from my house but they wouldn't send mobile service). Finally, second tow guy puts skates on my rear wheels as I tried to (slowly) reverse out of the garage - nothing happened. He took those off the back and put them on the front tires and as I slowly tried to reverse we hear a pop and it luckily comes unstuck.

It seems all four pads were fused to the discs. He towed it to Service Center. They cleaned discs and it was ready to go in an hour. Tesla guy says "Don't wash your car and go on a 10 day trip." Yeah, my fault.

 

[Dangerous Fish]

It can happen with any car which uses the rear pads to act as a parking brake.

I have had problems like this with several BMWs over the years so with any manual car I just leave it in gear and don't use the handbrake any more for parking.

The trouble with the Model 3 is that it applies the parking brake itself and you can't disengage it when you're out of the car unless you use tow mode, but that's not going to be an option for a 10 day trip!

Just make sure the brakes are completely dry in future. Go for a drive before you park it up and use the brakes rather than regen so you get a little heat into them.

 

[Skione65]

Happens EVERY time I wash my car at home. Normal.

Ski

 

[jmaddr]

Normal

 

[KenC]

Yep, gotta dry the rotors and pads by doing a little driving post-wash.

 

[focher]

Mine only get wet in rain. Use ONR only for washing.

 

[scohtay]

Thanks all. I just never realised that could be an issue.

 

[Ames]

I have a profile I called "Car Wash"; no regen, no hold, no creep, and Chill Mode.

Because I wash my car weekly at night before going to bed, I use it for a quick drive around the block where I drive slowly while gently holding down the brake (and letting the car complain about both pedals being pressed). It's a procedure that takes 2 minutes and ensure that when I leave for work the next day I don't have to hear that nasty cracking sound caused by rusty brake discs getting stuck to the brake shoes.

 

[Lunares]

I have a profile I called "Car Wash"; no regen, no hold, no creep, and Chill Mode.

Because I wash my car weekly at night before going to bed, I use it for a quick drive around the block where I drive slowly while gently holding down the brake (and letting the car complain about both pedals being pressed). It's a procedure that takes 2 minutes and ensure that when I leave for work the next day I don't have to hear that nasty cracking sound caused by rusty brake discs getting stuck to the brake shoes.

Does the car actually brake and apply power? I thought with that warning it would always ignore the accelerator input. Or is that only at high speed?

 

[dmd2005]

I use a warm air car dryer from the Bigboi lineup to dry the wheels and brakes. Gets the water out behind the door handles and crevices throughout the car as well and prevents streaks and water drips that towel drying causes. I’m waiting for the cordless powered model to come stateside that is only available in Australia right now.

[URL="https://www.esotericcarcare.com/bigboi-blowr-buddi-car-dryer/"]Bigboi BlowR BUDDI Car Dryer[/URL]

 

[Ames]

Does the car actually brake and apply power? I thought with that warning it would always ignore the accelerator input. Or is that only at high speed?

It does - it reduces power but does not eliminate it; more than enough power to create drying friction.

 

[brucet999]

It can happen with any car which uses the rear pads to act as a parking brake.

I have had problems like this with several BMWs over the years so with any manual car I just leave it in gear and don't use the handbrake any more for parking.

The trouble with the Model 3 is that it applies the parking brake itself and you can't disengage it when you're out of the car unless you use tow mode, but that's not going to be an option for a 10 day trip!

Just make sure the brakes are completely dry in future. Go for a drive before you park it up and use the brakes rather than regen so you get a little heat into them.

What actually sticks? Steel discs, non-metallic pads, unless they are freezing, I don't understand how they stick.

 

[Dangerous Fish]

What actually sticks? Steel discs, non-metallic pads, unless they are freezing, I don't understand how they stick.

Moisture from washing or wet weather.

 

[brianman]

When I hear fused, I think heat.

 

[Buttybach]

A rust film forms on the bare steel disc..if you live near the sea on a windy spray-filled day you can see it form within an hour or so. Brown rust instead of shiny steel disc. The rust must act like a weak glue around the pads if they are pressed against the disc.

 

[Clivew]

The pads have some metallic content, thus why they corrode to the disc.

 

[brucet999]

When I hear fused, I think heat.

Exactly. Fused means melted.

 

[mswlogo]

After washing I’ve been driving around the block like a mad man and slamming on the brakes on every car for the last 3 decades.

With bigger pads on P+ brakes they probably seize better than average

 

[brianman]

Exactly. Fused means melted.

That must have been really hot water for the wash.

 

[boriszima]

First time I ever hear about waging and driving. I wash my model 3 once every 2-3 months and never had that problem. Maybe because I don’t spray water on rotors and brakes? Now illl be more concerned to make sure it’s dry.