Yesterday I was wondering why my fuel economy was so terrible. I only managed 30 mpg highway on a 400 mile round trip to the NC mountains. Total elevation change 8000 feet (~4000 feet elevation gain going, 4000 feet change coming). The car was also losing speed coasting down steep grades it previously had gained speed down, so something was amiss.
Today the passenger rear wheel's drum brake was locked up, preventing the car from moving. A series of good hard tugs on the parking brake cables (well, rods) freed the offending brake.
I'm researching if I can lubricate the parts, or if replacement is necessary. I kinda want a functional parking brake that releases on demand, not the parking brake that keeps the car parked for good (although my FE would be spectacular)!
And the car hasn't coasted this well in a long time. Too bad it's at the expense of my parking brake.
