Dear All,

I know there are a ton of winter storage discussions, but I could not find this info, so please help.

I have bought new 2018 Maxima, and it has 20k MLS. I have stored it in climate-controlled Seattle, WA.

I have done the usual winter storage checklist but put on the parking brake (due to habit).
I am away and do not have access to the car.

Has anyone experienced that the Parking brake will jam after, let's say, 4-6 months ?

I called Nissan dealers, and they said it should not be an issue with the newer cars.
It can be an issue with the 70's or '80s (older) car, but yours is pretty new.

I have had the Parking brake on for up to 6 weeks without any issues but never left it longer than this.

Appreciate any help.

Thank you

 

You are hesitant to believe the advice of "Nissan dealers", whom you called, but you want advice from total strangers on this forum?

Interesting.

 

Thanks for your feedback, but not sure what you are trying to say.
I have seen thousands of valuable posts here from Maxima users.
No offense to the dealer; they shared what they knew, but I am looking for user experiences.
I hope that helps.

 

I personally would have left it off, but you should be ok either way, with the brake on or off.

 

Thank you Maxgig.
Your reply is quite reassuring

 

I would not engage a parking brake during storage, and I most certainly would not listen to most advice given to me calling dealers. There are a ton of guys that don't know their **** from their finger but will pretend they do. I have seen it many times...particularly at Nissan service depts.

 

Thanks for making my case.

@Maxgig 's reply "I personally would have left it off, but you should be ok either way, with the brake on or off".

That is what you were told by the Nissan dealer, who told you "they said it should not be an issue with the newer cars.
It can be an issue with the 70's or '80s (older) cars, but yours is pretty new."

Interesting that you are reassured by his answer, but not by what you were told at the dealer.

I used the search feature of this forum, looking for posts on "parking brake" issues. I found no threads on that subject.

 

Leave the parking brake off. While you cannot see the condition of the parking brake cable, they can and do rust in later years. Should your climate-controlled garage system fail, it could lead to a "stuck on" problem.

 

Chock the wheels and forget about it.

 

As I said, I got the answers from the dealer but I was looking for the user experiences.
This is something other users have responded but I have yet to see any experiences from your posts

 

That is exactly what I was worried about but the climate control system failing are minimal as they are actively managing due to other businesses being run from there.

I do not have access to the storage as i am abroad.
Quick question to the board - Is there a way i could send a mobile mechanic to release the parking brake from outside/under the car as the car is locked and they will not have keys with them?

 

I have the race ramps under the wheels to prevent flat spots.
I shouldn't have put the brake thinking I will put it off before leaving

 

Update 6 months later

The car started on the first go(plugged in trickle charger) and Fuel Stabilizer before storing.
The parking brake was not an issue, and the car started moving without hesitation after 6 long months of storage.

Please be aware of conditions as they may impact differently: 1) Stored during the hot weather, 2) Car well maintained, 3) Serviced right before storing (inc brake fluid flush), 4) Washed, 5) Climate control storage (Sep - Mar), 6) 2018 Maxima Platinum, 7) 20k miles

 

I'm glad you had no issues with using the parking brake.

 

Cheers

 

For good measure, add some Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner to your gas tank. Great move to add the fuel stabilizer before the long storage.

 

Thanks man.

I used to only fill at Chevron with premium fuel until the gas price started to go up and then started to fill up at Costco premium.

Emptied the tank and then put in fresh fuel with Fuel stabilizer the day of storing