Car trouble

Sorry if there's already a thread for car problems, tried and failed to find one.

I'm a complete novice when it comes to cars outside of driving one. I've had this Kia Picanto City since June and it's ran great up until recently. The clutch is a fair bit more slack than it should be, and we've discovered that's down to the terrible way both myself and my brother were taught to change gears down when approaching a round about or turn etc. (essentially coasting with the clutch down). However it's never really been a problem driving it. This winter, I'd assume cause of the cold, it's difficult to get moving. The car turns on fine and everything, but when i try to drive it out it's parking space, the car feels like it's trying to move but the wheels stay still. It then takes a fair bit of effort to move it, it's as if im driving over a dead body on the road. That's been a daily occurrence but this morning it was worse than usual, making a bad sound and smell. When I got the car moving it was making a noise like it was a jet engine slowing down and speeding up depending on speed. Like a "wumph, wumph, wumph". I decided to turn around and leave it at home, because like i said, i'm a novice.

Any help would be much appreciated. Cheers.

 

Stuck brakes. Take it to your local repair and ask them to have a look at the brakes as you think they are sticking on (cold, wet weather causes this).
All it is is your leaving the rear calipers closed when they should release when the handbrake is taken off. Can usually be sorted by cleaning the disks and a cable adjustment afaik.

 

You bought a Kia mate, there's your problem.

Breaks could be rusted shut/stuck.

 

Thanks guys, hadn't thought of that. It also does this annoying thing where i can be in second gear and it'll just keep moving at a consistent speed, usually like 5-10 mph with me not touching any pedals. Can be really annoying when slowing down into 2nd and the car just keeps accelerating.

 

How old is it.kia give a 7 year warranty so it might still be ok to take it to them.

 

That would be my take on your problem too... it's an easy fix!

 

It's only 6 months old so well within that 7 year warranty haha.

 

If the clutch is worn out, that won't be covered by any warranty.

I don't know how many people ride the clutch when sitting at junctions. When stationary leave the car in neutral, foot off the clutch and handbrake on.

When you try to move, is the car revving but just not going anywhere, or do the revs stay consistent with the speed?

Can you freely push the car with little resistance?

If the car is driving normally other than pulling away from a stand still, it is not always going to be the brakes.

If the brakes were binding the car would be noticeably slower and the brakes and even the wheels would be roasting hot in no time.

 

Just took the car out again for a wee run round the block. After getting out the drive the noise had stopped and the car ran fine again. It hasn't been driven since Christmas Day and sits outside in what is right now quite a puddle-filled parking space. Neighbour next door asked me if I was having problems and he jumped in the car. Thinks maybe something about the brakes being a bit stuck cos of the cold, wet etc. and that it needs a long run.

The car does go, just needs some...convincing. If I leave the house after setting off with a bit of difficulty, I wont experience any issue on the way home.

 

Try driving with the handbrake off















Only kidding If I get you right the car is only 6 months old and the brakes are sticking/binding on ,canny see that unless they have been malajusted on PDI

As said before don't ride clutch at lights or wait with biting point on clutch ready to go as soon as light changes it just * your clutch up

 

Yeah I've definitely made a concerted effort to use the clutch efficiently. Got a free service in the deal so will take it in and see if it's too late..

 

when you park it up if it's on level ground don't
put the handbrake on just leave it in gear.

When you try it next day if it doesn't "grab" it
might show that it's your handbrake binding.


I am assuming you looked for a dead body & there isn't one?

 

Brakes siezed on.car sitting with hand brake on for a few days.??

 

I read about that handbrake suggestion online too, will definitely try that.

Fairly sure there wasn't a dead body, my car might be * but my parking's no that bad! :smiley-laughing002:

 

It happened to me in the airport a few years ago.
If you can, put it in reverse first, it shoves them open usually (look in your mirror first)