What is the reason for the tires not moving after washing the car in winter?
2 Answers
The reason for the tires not moving after washing the car in winter is that the handbrake was engaged during washing, allowing water to enter the wheels, causing the brake pads and brake drums to lock up. The solution is to release the handbrake and use the spare tire or simply kick the sidewall of the tire a few times. The method to release wheel lock-up is to disengage the brake, use the spare tire, or directly kick the sidewall of the tire a few times; installing an ABS system can effectively prevent skidding and lock-up; fully utilize the effectiveness of the brakes, reduce braking time and distance, effectively prevent vehicle skidding and fishtailing during emergency braking; maintain good steering control when turning during emergency braking; avoid severe friction between the tires and the ground, reducing tire wear. Tires are circular elastic rubber products mounted on various vehicles or machinery for ground rolling. They are categorized by use into passenger tires; summer tires; summer high-performance tires; winter tires; and heavy-duty and light truck tires. The functions of tires are to cushion the impact received during vehicle movement; ensure good ride comfort and smooth driving; ensure good adhesion between the wheels and the road surface, improving the vehicle's traction, braking, and off-road capability; and bear the weight of the vehicle.
Last month, I had just washed my car and parked it in the yard. It was freezing cold in winter, and the next day when I tried to drive to work, the tires were completely stuck and wouldn’t budge. I was so frantic I could’ve jumped. The reason was that the wash water had seeped into the gaps between the tires and the ground, especially if the ground was uneven or had standing water. The water then froze, tightly locking the tires in place, and the brakes could also get stuck due to ice. I’ve experienced this a few times and only then realized how easily water can freeze instantly in cold weather, with the risk being even greater when temperatures drop below zero. Later, I learned my lesson—after washing the car, I’d drive for a few minutes with the heater on to dry the undercarriage and tires, or park in the garage to avoid freezing. I’ve also heard some car enthusiasts use special antifreeze car wash solutions, but the simplest solution is not to park outdoors immediately after washing.
