What Causes Brake Noise Immediately After Washing the Car?
3 Answers
The reason for brake noise immediately after washing the car: During the car wash, water enters the wheel's brake drum, and sand particles also splash onto the brake pads along with the water, causing noise when braking. It is recommended not to park the car immediately after washing. Instead, consciously drive a certain distance and perform several braking actions to expel the water from the brake drum and prevent brake noise issues. The working principle of brakes mainly relies on friction, utilizing the friction between the brake pads and the brake disc, as well as between the tires and the ground, to convert the kinetic energy of the moving vehicle into heat energy through friction, thereby stopping the car. A good and efficient braking system must provide stable, sufficient, and controllable braking force, along with excellent hydraulic transmission and heat dissipation capabilities, to ensure that the force applied by the driver on the brake pedal is fully and effectively transmitted to the master cylinder and individual wheel cylinders, avoiding hydraulic failure and brake fade caused by high temperatures.
I often hear brake noise right after washing my car, mainly because water gets between the brake discs and pads during washing, forming slight rust or a water film. When you start driving and apply the brakes for the first time, they may squeak or screech. Don't worry too much—this is normal and usually goes away after about 10 minutes of driving as the water evaporates from friction. However, if the noise persists for several days, you should pay attention, as it might indicate uneven wear on the brake discs or foreign objects stuck in them. Having driven for over a decade, I always lightly press the brakes a few more times to check. If the noise continues, I promptly visit a repair shop to avoid long-term wear that could lead to safety hazards. After washing the car, it's advisable to dry it in the sun or take a short drive to remove excess water, which can reduce the likelihood of this issue.
I never take it seriously when my brakes make strange noises after each car wash. The sound is usually caused by water getting into the brake system, temporarily causing rust on metal surfaces or debris slipping. After you step on the brakes a few times, the friction heat will dry out the water, and the noise will naturally stop. Occasionally, if the car wash is too aggressive or a high-pressure water gun is used, dust may also be swept in, which can cause squeaking. My advice is, don't rush to repair the car. First, try driving smoothly for a few minutes on an open road to let the brake system self-clean. If the noise doesn't stop after half a day, then consider whether the brake pads are worn out or the clips are loose, and it's time to replace them. For prevention, spraying less water directly at the wheels or drying the wheel hub area after washing can save you a lot of trouble.
