Winter can be hard on a vehicle, and hard on you as the
owner. Not everyone has the luxury to park in a warm garage, meaning vehicles
get hit with frigid temperatures, snow, ice and rain. This winter mix can lead
to problems for car drivers, such as frozen windshields, or worse- frozen locks.
If your car lock is frozen internally or externally, you will
not be able to turn the key to unlock the vehicle. Leaving you stranded outside in the frigid cold.
Don’t panic, there is an easy solution. We’ve outlined some
do’s and don’ts of unfreezing your car’s lock to help you get back into your
car, and out of the cold.
Don’t Use
Hot Water
Most people’s first reaction to a frozen situation is to use
heat, like hot water, but don’t.
Hot water might get you into your vehicle, but it can have
negative long-term effects. Hot water can damage the lock or freeze inside the lock, sending
you back to square one and causing more issues later.
Using heat, like a lighter, might work in some situations but
can cause damage to your key. Especially if you have a key with any type
of black casing on it that might melt with the heat. Avoid this method if possible.
Don’t Force
It
Do not force your key or another object into the lock. This
will only cause damage to the key or object, or to the lock itself. This leaves
you with a bigger, more expensive problem in the future.
Do Check All
Locks
Check all of the car’s locks. You might find that one lock
was facing the sun and still works fine.
If all locks are frozen, try finding the least frozen one to
work on. This is likely the side of your car that has been in the sun. The less frozen, the easier it’ll be to defrost.
Do Use De-Icer
Spray de-icer on your lock to melt the ice. This is the
easier solution.
You can find De-Icer at AutoZone or
Target
and you should try to keep a few bottles handy during the winter months.
Do Use
Light Heat
Hold your thumb against the lock to apply body heat or use your breathe
on the lock. The warmth may heat the lock enough for you to get the key to
turn.
If you have a blow dryer handy, you can use it to warm up the
lock. This can be a hassle because you will need an extension cord for it to
work.
Do Use Hand
Sanitizer
While many of us do not always carry around de-icer, hand
sanitizer is another handy (no pun intended) option. According to Firestone, the
ethanol and isopropanol alcohol that destroys germs can also lower the freezing
point of water.
To use hand sanitizer to defrost your lock, coat the key with
it, insert it into the lock gently, wait about a minute with the key in the
lock, and then try and turn it. The alcohol should defrost the lock,
allowing for an easy open!
You can watch a video of this process here.
Opening Your
Frozen Door
After you get your lock to work, your door might also be frozen
shut. Tips for getting your car door open:
- Chip away all the ice around the door.
- Push in on the door to break the ice around the door’s seal.
- Use de-icer
- Use a blow dryer (but be careful, too much heat can break cold windows)
For more tips on opening a frozen car door, check out this
article by Your Mechanic, How
to Open a Frozen Shut Car Door.
Tips to
Prevent Your Locks From Freezing
- Park in a garage if possible
- Avoid parking in the shade during the winter months
- Put a cover over your car to keep moisture out
- Do not wash your vehicle when the temperature is cold enough to freeze the water before it dries
- Put Vaseline on the key and insert it into the lock to avoid locks from freezing
If your car has the capability, purchase a remote start and
use it to warm up your car. Make sure your heat and defrost are on.
With any type of DIY projects, unfreezing your car’s locks
can be dangerous if done incorrectly. You might also be in a position where you
don’t feel comfortable standing outside in the freezing cold to get your door
open. If this is the case, contact your local locksmith or roadside assistance
to get help.
Do you have any hot tips or tricks for unfreezing or
preventing frozen doors/locks? Let us know in the comments below!
