Hi everyone - I have a 2006 530xi with a manual transmission. I noticed that when I go to drive the car after it has been sitting for a month or so, it feels like something in the drivetrain or the brakes has seized up. Whatever is stuck eventually breaks free after giving it a good amount of gas in first gear. I’m worried this is messing up my engine and or transmission. Has anyone experienced this or have any thoughts as to what may be happening here? Thanks!

 

Sounds like rust on the brake rotors. I'd say totally normal and not a problem at all. I find in the winter when they salt the roads that even after sitting in the garage for only a night or two I have to give it more gas and I get a clunk noise as the rotors break free.

 

I hope that you're also putting the car on a trickle charger.

 

Thanks - yep I have it on a noco

 

I have found that even after washing the car, if I don't take it for a drive to dry off the brakes, that they will "rust up" and if I don't drive it for a few days they will be bound up. Nothing really to worry about, but if you know that the vehicle is going to sit for a period of time, try to dry off the brakes as much as you can before parking it.

 

Thanks for the responses. I had new tires put on this weekend and they said I need to drive the car more based on the oxidation on the rotors…. I was just waiting for the new shoes!