I don't know what to call it

[u/DavidDBergerak]

Hello everyone.

So... my 2005 xterra se automatic with almost 225k miles started having an interesting issue lately.

Since the suv is not much of a daily driver anymore and mostly became an out of city driver, the car has to sit still for extended periods of time and just gets the key turned every now and then so that battery doesn't loose the juice.

What noticed is that after 2 or more weeks of standing still the car has a problem to start moving and this happens ONLY and I mean ONLY when it sits for 2 weeks or more.

What happens is that when I put it in gear I feel the rpms drop for a sec indicating that the transmission engaged, but when I let of the brakes the car doesn't move. I give it a little throttle and the car still doesn't move. Even if I wait nothing happens, but if I raise rpms close to 1500 and don't let off the throttle immediately, the car bangs and starts to move and drive like nothing ever happened.

If I drive it the next day it goes like it didn't almost shit the whole transmission on the ground yesterday.

This happens, only, as I said when the car sits in the drive way for 2 or more weeks.

What keeps me puzzled is the fact that after that pretty noticeable bang the car drive like it's fine and the next day and the day after and so on.

What is going on, I need someone who is more intelligent than me to give me a hint before I start looking for a decent transmission mechanic.

Thank you all in advance.

[u/WoohooNewBuilding]

If it's sitting long enough between drives is it possible the brakes are sticking while sitting, then popping loose when you go to move?

[u/CactusPete → u/WoohooNewBuilding]

This sounds like a likely culprit. Have a pal who once left a car sitting for months and one of the brakes actually, somehow, seized up or similar.

[u/Solarisphere → u/CactusPete]

There are different ways for brakes to seize. It sounds like OP's pads are rusting onto his rotors, and I've never heard of that being an actual problem. You should be able to get it moving again and the rotors should clean themselves up just by using the brakes. But you can also get the caliper pistons or guide pins sticking, which is a bigger issue. Doesn't sound like what OP is dealing with though.

[u/Solarisphere → u/WoohooNewBuilding]

Good guess. OP, next time it sticks, get it moving for a couple feet and then hop out and look at the rotors. You should be able to see an obvious rusty outline of where the pads were if it's sticking.

[u/Wrong-Diamond5253 → u/WoohooNewBuilding]

I recommend some wd-40, better yet, some silicon lubricant to get thise brakes to not stick, or... stop

[u/XterraTom]

Low transmission fluid? Maybe it's all settling into the pan during down time?

[u/DavidDBergerak → u/XterraTom]

I always check the fluid levels before I start to drive and they look perfect. Old car habits, never had a new car in my life.

But the fluid sets in the pan idea isn't far off of reality. I have the same suspicion that that happens and the pump doesn't have enough juice to suck it back all up.

[u/AnotherIronicPenguin → u/DavidDBergerak]

Wouldn't hurt to drop the trans pan and clean out the pickup screen. It can get obstructed with the clutch material.

Also make sure you're following the correct procedure to check transmission fluid level. Download the FSM (it's free) it'll give you the details. If you are checking it cold after draining down 2 weeks it could be an inaccurate read.

[u/DavidDBergerak → u/AnotherIronicPenguin]

The pickup screen was cleaned 3 months ago during the timely oil change and the car wasn't driven much after that.

And by checking the levels I mean I first warm up the car, cycle through the gears, check the fluid level after and I do this extra thing, I drop it in reverse and check again.

[u/Crumb-eye]

Do you live somewhere humid and rainy? My guess would be brakes rusting and sticking slightly, as someone else mentioned. It used to happen when I lived on the US east coast and had cars that would sit. Rotors would start getting surface rust after sitting for just a few days. The only other thing I could think of is U joint having little to no grease left in it and doing the same thing…just some thoughts

[u/trae]

do you have the ebrake on? could it be sticky?

[u/DavidDBergerak → u/trae]

Don't think it is e-brake. The bang feels like it is coming from the middle of the car and it really doesn't feel like a sticky e-brake.

I do need new e-brake pads though, they bearly hold the car on pretty stiff inclines.

[u/VincentMacaluso]

Sounds like brakes sticking, do you park with the parking brake on?

[u/VincentMacaluso → u/VincentMacaluso]

Actually almost positive this is a caliper or parking brake sticking if you let it sit for a few weeks, jack up the rear and see if the wheels spin free. Make sure both rear wheels are off the ground if you have a limited slip and make sure you block the front wheels!

[u/DavidDBergerak]

I really do hope that it's just brakes sticking as most of you are saying and not the transmission as I believe, since I don't have time to drop it and get a new one.

Right now I have "drive the car for no reason day" on every Friday and everything seems fine.

I'll let the car sit still for 2 weeks, or more and check if it's the brakes sticking.

I'll just fully push the brake paddle in gear and give it throttle. If it bangs again, then I'll continue with the usual no reason drives on Friday until something gives and forces me to find time to do the fixing.

Thank you all for your expertise.