When the winter months are in full swing, snow-covered roads and frosty mornings are inevitable. Unfortunately, this opens the door to one of the most inconvenient issues car owners can face during the colder months: frozen car locks and doors. This problem can leave you stranded and make it difficult to get on with your day or even to seek warmth.
Keeping your vehicle accessible during the winter is crucial for safety and convenience, so understanding how to prevent and fix frozen locks and doors can save you much frustration. Learn everything you need to know in order to resolve this issue and to prepare your vehicle for the winter.
Why Car Locks and Doors Freeze in Cold Weather
By understanding why car locks and doors freeze in the first place, you can work towards preventing the issue in the future. In most cases, the root cause tends to be moisture accumulating. Water from the rain, snow, or even basic condensation can seep into small crevices around the locks and door seals. Once the temperature drops further, the moisture is turned into ice which causes the mechanisms to become stiff or jammed.
Locks are particularly vulnerable to this issue because they have small, intricate parts that can easily freeze. The moisture inside a lock cylinder can solidify, which makes it impossible for your key to move or turn unless it melts. Similarly, door seals can become encased in ice in such a way that the rubber seals become bonded to the car frame. This situation isn’t only frustrating but is also potentially damaging if the door or seal is forced open.
How to Prevent Frozen Locks and Doors Before Winter
Luckily for those worried about the issue described above, preventing it is often easier than dealing with the problem after the fact. Here are a few quick tips to winter-proof your vehicle before the freezing temperatures hit in full force:
- Apply a Lubricant to Locks: One of the most effective preventative measures for this issue is using a lubricant like WD-40. Apply it to the door lock mechanism before the temperature drops to create a barrier that repels moisture and keeps the lock parts moving freely. Silicone-based sprays can also be excellent choices for door seals to prevent them from sticking.
- Use Weatherproof Covers: Consider using protective covers for your car locks, which are small covers that fit over the lock and prevent water from seeping in.
- Treat Door Seals with Silicone Spray: Door seals can become a major pain point when frozen, but silicone spray helps prevent this, so spray it on the rubber door seals to create a water-repellent layer that reduces the risk of ice formation.
- Keep Locks and Doors Dry: Make a habit of wiping down your car locks and door seals after washing your car or if the vehicle gets wet from snow or rain, as the drier you keep these areas, the less likely they are to freeze.
The above are just a few of the many preventative measures you can take to greatly reduce the chances of getting locked out of your vehicle due to the frozen car door lock.
Quick Hacks for Dealing with Frozen Locks
Sometimes, it’s easy to forget to take preventative action, and, in other cases, the locks or seals may still freeze despite your best efforts. In this situation, it’s best to have some quick tips on hand that can help you safely and effectively thaw the lock without causing permanent damage. First and foremost, consider using a de-icer spray that is specifically designed to melt ice quickly. To use this tool, all you need to do is spray it directly onto the keyhole and around the frozen lock buildup, and the chemicals within the spray will dissolve the ice.
You can also consider using the quick tip of heating up your car key with a lighter, but be sure not to heat it for too long. Once your key has been warmed up sufficiently, you can gently insert it into the lock, and the heat may be enough to get the lock moving. Alternatively, consider using chemical hand warmers, often seen in winter sports. You can press one of these warmers against the lock on your car for several minutes to gradually melt the ice, which is often a safer method than using a lighter alone.
As a final note, avoid using hot water to thaw a frozen lock. The rapid temperature change that will occur can damage the locking mechanism, and any leftover water may actually refreeze and worsen the problem.
Tips for Handling Frozen Car Doors
The locks may not be the only thing frozen on your vehicle this winter. If the doors on your car are frozen as well, there are a few specific tips you can employ to try to break the ice. First, try to gently push on the door to break the ice around the seal, rather than just yanking it open. Pushing can sometimes loosen the ice without damaging the rubber seal, but be careful not to apply too much force as it could crack the ice and cause damage.
You can also use the aforementioned de-icing spray around the seals of the door and the ice should melt enough for you to open the door with relative ease. Just be sure to let the spray sit for a few minutes so that it can work effectively. You can also consider using a hairdryer if you have access to an electrical outlet. Aim the warm air around the door frame and lock to melt the ice, even heat the key, but be sure the hairdryer you’re using is safe for outdoor use.
Above all else, never try to force a frozen door open as this can tear the rubber seals and damage the door handle. Exercise patience and use gentle techniques when gradually thawing the door instead. By following these steps you can safely and effectively unfreeze your car doors and avoid costly damage to your vehicle.
How Endurance Auto Protection Plans Assist During Winter
While prevention and quick fixes for frozen locks and seals are useful, having additional support during the harsh winter months can make a major difference. An Endurance auto protection plan can offer a variety of services that are invaluable when you find yourself dealing with this troublesome issue. The standout feature of Endurance plans is the access to 24/7 roadside assistance, which includes lockout services. Therefore, even if you find yourself unable to open your car, your roadside assistance provider can come to your aid.
An Endurance Warranty plan will also offer coverage for the major parts of your vehicle, such as the engine, air conditioning system, transmission, and more, depending on which plan you choose, which will keep you covered. All customers can also choose to activate Endurance Elite Benefits, which offers perks such as reimbursements for up to four tires per year due to road hazards, up to $500 in collision discount coverage, up to $1,000 in total loss protection, and more.*
Prepare Your Vehicle for Winter with Endurance
Winter weather can be both harsh and unpredictable, but with the right preparation and quick response techniques, you can prevent and handle frozen locks and door seals. By investing in an auto protection plan with Endurance, you can also add another layer of security to your vehicle by ensuring help is just a phone call away when you need it most.
Contact an Endurance plan advisor at (800) 253-8203 or request a FREE quote online. You can also shop our eStore to see your plan recommendation and pricing right away.