Unlocking Winter Woes: A Guide to Thawing Frozen Car Doors and Locks
Here's how to handle a frozen car door or a frozen car lock, including how to prevent such freezing in the first place
Winter weather presents a long list of challenges for drivers, from slippery roadways to dead batteries to blown-out tires. And for those of us who regularly park our cars in a driveway, on a street, or in an uncovered parking lot, add frozen car doors and locks to the list of troubles. After all, it’s hard to start thawing your vehicle if you can’t even get the car door open to start the engine!
How to prevent frozen doors and locks on your car
When it comes to low temperatures and harsh winter weather, an ounce of preparation is worth a pound of cure. Many of the tips and tricks to avoid exterior car parts like locks, wipers, and doors from freezing solid is ensuring that moisture does not have a place to take hold.
How to prevent frozen car door locks
Magnets
Magnets can work wonders to prevent moisture from getting into your lock and freezing it. By placing a magnet over the keyhole on your lock, you can prevent moisture from getting inside and freezing. Just make sure that still-falling freezing rain, sleet, or snow doesn't cover the magnet and freeze the magnet itself, too.
Compressed air
If you have a keyboard duster or other compressed air, blow it into the door locks with the provided nozzle to force out moisture and keep the locks dry.
Lubricants
Lubricant sprays such as WD-40 work to keep parts moving and reduce friction, but they also help force out moisture and keep it out. Spraying your locks semi-regularly with a bit of automotive lubricant spray can prevent a frozen car door lock.
Jellies
Glycerin or Vaseline swiped over a door lock and then pushed inside a few times will coat the lock with a moisture-repelling lubricant that can prevent freezing.
How to prevent frozen car doors
Coat rubber seals
The rubber seals around your doors can sometimes trap moisture that freezes, sticking the door shut. By applying a thin layer of glycerin-based moisturizer, you can prevent this seal from sticking to the vehicle frame and freezing shut.
Car cover
A relatively cheap but effective solution, car covers can protect your doors and locks from freezing moisture. They will also keep your windshield and mirrors ice-free as well as preserve the clear coat and overall look of your car in the process.
What to do if your locks or door freeze
If your car doors or locks (or both!) are already frozen, there are a few things you can do to thaw them so that you can get into the vehicle and get it warmed up. The important thing is that you DON'T use excessive force to try to break the ice by yanking on car parts. Not only can this damage your seals, but you could break off your door handle or cause other costly damage.
Press and then pull on the car door
If you are able to unlock the car but the doors are still frozen shut, try pushing with firm but gentle force on the door, and then pull. Do this a few times, being careful not to break your door handle. Sometimes this firm but gentle action can break the ice sealing the car door shut.
Keep a deicer handy
There are many deicing products available at auto parts stores that are designed to help you get into a frozen car. Of course, they only work if they’re not trapped inside your car! Be sure to keep a deicer handy in your house where it will stay warm and be ready when you need it. You can also make your own deicer and keep it in a spray bottle. To make your own deicer, mix three parts vinegar to one part water. Apply your choice of deicer to the frozen car door locks or doors to thaw them.
Use warm water
Heat some water, and then pour it over the car doors and locks to try to melt the ice. This method quickly thaws doors and locks under certain freezing conditions. Be careful not to use boiling hot water, however, as the temperature shock on a cold surface like windows can cause irreversible damage.
Heat your key
Using a match or a lighter, heat the end of your key, and then try to thaw the frozen car door lock. A word of caution: If you have keys with electronic components or chips in them, do not heat your key; the heat from an open flame could damage the circuitry or electronic components.
Unfortunately, winter weather is a cold reality drivers must deal with when they park outdoors. By doing what you can to prevent moisture from entering your car locks and doors in the first place, you should be able to easily get into your vehicle on even the coldest, snowiest days to get the engine started and warm up your car for the road ahead.