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How to Unlock a Frozen Car Door
by Gail Logan
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Overview
When temperatures plummet, a car door can freeze and refuse to unlock. This often happens in early mornings after a night of freezing temperatures. Most doors will thaw if left in the sun for a few hours, but sometimes this is not possible, especially if you are in a rush to get to work or are late for an appointment. Fortunately, a frozen car door can be unlocked relatively quickly with the right products in a few easy steps.
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Step 1
Spray a de-icer around the edges of the door, underneath the handle, and directly into the lock to melt the ice. Wait a few seconds before attempting to open the door. If the door is still frozen, repeat the process. If this doesn't work, or if you do not have access to de-icer, the following steps should prove effective.
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Step 2
Pour tepid water over the locked door, beginning at the top of the door and allowing the water to flow around the edges of the car door and handles. Be sure not to use hot water, as the cold windows may crack because of the temperature difference. Use a scraper to pick away at the remaining ice around the edges of the door. Do this carefully to avoid chipping away at the paint.
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Step 3
Coat the door and handle in windshield wiper fluid by pouring the liquid at the top of the door and allowing it to flow down the door. The alcohol in the fluid will prevent the door from refreezing because it has a lower freezing point than water.
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Step 4
Hold your car key above the flame of a lighter to heat the key. If the frost is not too severe, heating a key will be enough to thaw the mechanisms inside the lock and allow you to open the door. Spraying the door lock with WD-40 will prevent it from freezing once it is open.
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Step 5
Hold a hairdryer set on "high" with the air facing directly into the lock for at least five minutes if step 4 fails to thaw the cylinder in the lock. The difficulty in this step lies in having an electrical outlet near to the car. If necessary, use an extension cord so that the dryer can reach the car door's lock.
- 1
- Water (tepid)
Scraper
Windshield wiper fluid
WD-40
Lighter
Hairdryer
- Water (tepid)
- Scraper
- Windshield wiper fluid
- WD-40
- Lighter
- Hairdryer
- Coat the rubber seals around the edge of the door by spraying them with WD-40 or by rubbing on Vaseline to prevent the door from freezing shut in the future.
- Coat the rubber seals around the edge of the door by spraying them with WD-40 or by rubbing on Vaseline to prevent the door from freezing shut in the future.
- Do not pour hot water on a frozen car door. Besides the possibility of cracking the glass, it can also re-freeze inside the lock making the problem considerably worse.
Do not keep a de-icer in your car. Store it in a warm place where it will not freeze when it is needed.
- Do not pour hot water on a frozen car door. Besides the possibility of cracking the glass, it can also re-freeze inside the lock making the problem considerably worse.
- Do not keep a de-icer in your car. Store it in a warm place where it will not freeze when it is needed.
