handbrake

An offcut from the Story Kettle

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Copyright © 2012, Michael M Wayman

There was snow and ice, we drove to Ramstein and worked all day and into the night. Time to drive back to Heidelberg but the car drove funny, always to the left.

Don't you remember, don't use the handbrake when it's cold.

Yes, the right rear wheel was OK but the left one was stuck solid, frozen up. We drove on, very slowly with the left wheel skiing on the icy strip down the middle of the road. Hopefully the wheel would warm up and free up before we hit the autobahn. The car was a rented VW Golf and we didn't care.

After a kilometre or three John stopped for petrol and a bucket of hot water. Pang! The wheel was free.

Remember, don't use the handbrake when it's cold! Leave it in gear or PARK.