So You’ve gone to get into your car in the morning or when you’re leaving work to drive home and your car door locks are frozen! Don’t panic, here are some handy tips to get you into your vehicle and on your way!
Unfreezing your car door lock
There are quite a few items which you will probably have handy which can defrost that car lock and gain you entry to your vehicle.
Your Hands
Yes, this may be a method that might leave you with a cold finger or thumb for a little while, heating up your hands and placing a thumb or finger on the lock for a short while could defrost the lock enough to gain you entry to your vehicle.
Cigarette Lighter
For those of you who carry a cigarette lighter with them, use this to warm up your car key, being careful not to get it too hot so you can’t hold it or melt the plastic cover. Then slowly push the key into the lock to melt the ice, you may have to do this a few times to defrost the lock and gain entry.
Hand Sanitizer
Yes you may have some hand sanitiser on your person, this contains alcohol and by putting the sanitiser on the lock and key, and then gently wiggling the key into the lock, you can defrost your lock.
Hair Dryer
If you are at home and have an extension cable that will reach to your vehicle with a hairdryer, you can use this to defrost the lock and gain entry.
WD-40
This is in many a garage, and if you have some in yours, try spraying the lock with this, it should defrost the lock for you, though you may have to spray it a couple of times and wait a little while for it to melt the ice.
De-icer
Yes, it’s an obvious one, but sometimes we can forget when we’re in a rush, your window de-icer, spray it on the lock and wait for it to melt the ice.
Preventing Locks From Freezing
If your vehicle is out in the open, look at investing in a good car cover, so the frost doesn’t get at the locks. You can also purchase graphite powder, which will work on all types of locks to help stop ice from forming when it’s cold, the only drawback is it can be a bit messy.
Remember – Don’t force the lock, this could end up in a broken key in the lock and a costly repair bill!