# Car question - Need answer fast **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 22, 2017, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-need-answer-fast/791877 "2017-07-22T14:12:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-need-answer-fast/791877/1 "2017-07-22T14:12:08Z")
Today I am supposed to leave on a several hundred mile car trip. Yesterday evening my 2007 Suburban started becoming very difficult to move at slow speeds, after the wheel had been turned. It felt almost as though as though the parking brake had been engaged, but that hasn’t been used in over a year. Just to be sure, we pumped it on and off. I’m not sure I’m describing this well, so here is a sample scenario: [ul] [li]Car is moving fine in a straight line backing out of a driveway[/li][li]I turn the wheel to back into the street[/li][li]Car becomes very difficult to move and requires a lot more acceleration[/li][li]After the turn is completed and the wheel is straightened, the car returns to normal[/li][/ul] The problem persists at slow speeds. I feel it leaving a stop sign if I am turning, for example, or pulling into a parking spot. The car is fine driving at street speeds. I haven’t attempted anything over 40 mph. My questions are: **What is causing this?** Quick Googling suggests it might be the parking brake cable stuck, despite the fact I haven’t used it in months or years. (I just had it serviced, maybe the mechanics did?) **Is there an easy fix?** **Is it safe to drive?** **Will I cause damage by driving it?** Thanks in advance all. A family vacation is on the line. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-need-answer-fast/791877/2 "2017-07-22T14:30:53Z")
Is it a 4WD model? ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-need-answer-fast/791877/3 "2017-07-22T14:32:33Z")
Yes, it is. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-need-answer-fast/791877/4 "2017-07-22T14:34:56Z")
Is it in 4WD? Have you tried going in and then out of 4WD? Your description sounds like what my Jeep feels like when making tight turns in 4WD. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-need-answer-fast/791877/5 "2017-07-22T14:37:44Z")
I’ll check that. We usually leave it in 2WD unless conditions warrant 4WD, but, again, mechanics. I’ll report back shortly. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-need-answer-fast/791877/6 "2017-07-22T14:46:36Z")
I also wanted to publicly say thank you for helping me out. I appreciate it, particularly since my Pit thread has reached epic proportions. A sincere thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-need-answer-fast/791877/7 "2017-07-22T14:52:30Z")
That was it. It’s wasn’t even 4-up, it was 4-down. I don’t know whether it was the mechanics or my husband who borrowed the car last night. (sigh) I had a big breakdown last week, so I went straight to the biggest problem. I’ll let the mods know to close the thread. Thank you!!! ---
**Author:** ![JerrySTL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e274bd/32.png) [@JerrySTL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerrySTL)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-need-answer-fast/791877/8 "2017-07-22T14:53:22Z")
Personally I wouldn’t take a 10 year old vehicle with a problem moving on a several hundred mile trip. I highly recommend getting a rental. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-need-answer-fast/791877/9 "2017-07-22T14:54:08Z")
(Yes, I do feel like an idiot, FTR.) :o ☹ ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-need-answer-fast/791877/10 "2017-07-22T15:31:52Z")
Yay!!! I am not a mechanic, but I’ve experienced exactly what you described in the OP. > [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > I also wanted to publicly say thank you for helping me out. I appreciate it, particularly since my Pit thread has reached epic proportions. > > A sincere thank you. You’re welcome! We are good. I said something stupid, you pointed it out nicely, and gave me the chance to apologize. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-need-answer-fast/791877/11 "2017-07-22T20:56:47Z")
I thought Subaru was full-time AWD. Learn something new every day around here… like it or not. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-need-answer-fast/791877/12 "2017-07-22T21:32:01Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I thought Subaru was full-time AWD. Learn something new every day around here… like it or not. No, you didn’t learn anything (surprise!). It was a Suburban, not a Subaru. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-need-answer-fast/791877/13 "2017-07-22T22:35:07Z")
I certainly didn’t learn no readin’! ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-need-answer-fast/791877/14 "2017-07-22T22:41:41Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I certainly didn’t learn no readin’! Yup. ---
**Author:** ![BobBitchin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@BobBitchin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobBitchin)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-need-answer-fast/791877/15 "2017-07-23T01:05:51Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I thought Subaru was full-time AWD. Learn something new every day around here… like it or not. > [@beowulff](#): > > No, you didn’t learn anything (surprise!). > It was a Suburban, not a Subaru. I read suburu too.:smack ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-need-answer-fast/791877/16 "2017-07-23T06:01:23Z")
Thank You, **Bob**. I don’t feel so bad now. Besides, I know **Sunny** drives a BMW, so Subaru as a second just seemed so natural. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-need-answer-fast/791877/17 "2017-07-23T08:20:50Z")
The Suburban is for the dogs and kids! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-question-need-answer-fast/791877/18 "2017-07-23T12:50:21Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I thought Subaru was full-time AWD. Learn something new every day around here… like it or not. AWD is not the same as 4WD, it simply means any one of the four wheels might be getting power.