Clicking sound under pedals & Warranty

[eloepp]

hi there, just joined these forums and had a question!

I should mention that I'm pretty clueless when it comes to cars.

about 2 months ago I bought a new 2013 mazda 3. about 2 weeks ago I pulled it with a Uhaul from Boise, Id to puyallup, WA. the uhaul employees secured the car. at first they told me to put on the emergency break and I did, but forgot to take it off so I noticed a lot of smoke after pulling out of the lot and figured out what it was. I took it off, but when I got into WA I noticed the light was still on for the emergency break. anyway, after the trip I noticed there's a clicking sound sometimes when breaking or accelerating under the pedals. I can feel it the most in the acceleration pedal the most, almost like it's coming from the base of it or something. I never noticed it before. There's a hill near where I live and I always notice it when I'm going down it. I'm not sure if it was because how they strapped the car on or because the e-break thing. Anyway I called a Mazda dealership to have a look at it. My question is, it's still under warranty.. I know the ebreak thing is my fault, but should I tell them everything, or would that somehow void the warranty? I feel like I want to tell them that I pulled it but not about the ebreak thing, or should I be completely honest?

Thanks!

-Erik

[shorod]

Well, I generally believe that honesty is the best policy. In your case though, I don't really think the symptom you describe is necessarily associated with the parking brake being left engaged. If I were in your position, I would probably drop the car off to have the car checked for the noise at the pedals. Be very clear that if they find anything that would not be covered under warranty, to call you before proceeding. If they call and say something to the effect of, "We found the issue, it appears that the rear brake pads severely overheated and boiled the brake fluid. The boiled fluid contaminated the ABS pump and the pump needs to be bled. We're trying to determine the cause of the boiled fluid" then come clean and suggest maybe the fluid boiled when the rear brakes overheated because the parking brake was left on for a few blocks.

-Rod

[eloepp]

thanks, rod. i'll be sure to have them call me before fixing anything that isn't covered under warranty. and actually, I know this sounds really bad, but the emergency break was barely left on for the trip to WA of about 500-600 miles. I thought I had turned it off but when I finally drove the car I noticed the light was on for the break... it must have barely been on though, because I was able to pull the car fine.

I believe being honest too, but this is just making me really nervous and I'm not sure how warranties work. this is my first new car. Should I at least tell them that I pulled the car with a uhaul? I don't like lying but I almost want to say I just drove the car myself from idaho to washington. Thanks again.

-Erik

[shorod]

It's probably best for you if you don't mention it was towed upfront unless you are asked. I wouldn't say that you drove it out, I just wouldn't offer that it was towed either. Let them imply or ask. Some dealers will look for excuses to get out of warranty work (it doesn't pay as well as non-warranty repairs) so why give them that card to play up front?

-Rod

[eloepp]

alright, thanks again!

Also, I noticed that when I hit my foot against the bottom of the floor it makes the clicking sound as well