Most automobile owners experience a host of problems, especially when it’s the winter season.
Many things can go wrong with a car, like stalled engines and hazardous vehicle performance, yet the most common one that automobile owners experience is a frozen door lock.
Harmless as it may sound, if not dealt with correctly can often lead to damaging car doors.
What Causes Car Door Locks to Freeze?
When a car’s rubber gaskets get dirty, the dirt particles often prevent the car door from sealing shut properly. As a result, it allows moisture to enter the opening and freeze the door completely. The best way to avoid this is to clean your gaskets using warm soapy water. Once thoroughly cleaned and free from dirt, you can dry it completely so they don’t freeze.
What to Do If Your Car Door Locks Are Frozen?
If the car locks get frozen, the easiest way to unlock it is by using rubbing alcohol. You can easily find it in your storage or purchase it from a hardware store. Alcohol is a powerful agent which can quickly melt ice. This is because alcohol tends to lower the freezing point of water to around -20 degrees. As a result, the ice quickly melts as it will require a higher temperature to freeze.
Stuck in a similar situation where your car door locks have frozen? Here are a few proven remedies how to unfreeze car door locks.
A Few Ways to Unfreeze Car Door Locks When They Are Frozen
Unlock Using a Magnet
A simple and easy way to prevent door locks from happening due to cold weather is to place a magnet over the keyhole. Just ensure the magnet is large enough to fit around the keyhole completely.
Simply place the magnet over the lock when you leave your car. The next time you want to go somewhere, remove the magnet from the keyhole and place it in your pocket, purse, or car.
Apply WD-40 on Your Locks
If your car door locks are well lubricated, it will become frost-free. WD-40 is a good agent to keep your car door locks lubricated for several days. Simply spray the car door lock with WD-40 and leave it for a few minutes. Always make sure to spray a small amount. Too much can make the lock-free, and too less won’t prevent freezing. An adequate amount will prevent ice and frost from building up.
Sanitize the Car Keys
Hand sanitizers often contain alcohol content in high quantities. If you don’t have rubbing alcohol available for the locks, it’s always best to sanitize your car keys with a hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizers prevent freezing and become a tool for thawing ice through car door locks. The best way to apply is to squirt a bit on the keys and rub it gently, covering both sides equally.
Put the key in the lock and turn; it will unlock after a few turns.
Keep De-Icing Spray with You
Another best way to ensure your car door locks may unfreeze is by keeping a de-icing spray tucked away in the glove compartment. Simply spray a bit on a frozen lock and watch the magic happen.
While you keep one in your car’s glove compartment, keep one in your home. This way, if you cannot access your car, the one in your home’s storage will be handy.
You can easily find it at any nearby hardware store.
Read More: The Latest Trends in Lock Technology: What Homeowners & Business owners Need to Know
Don’t Want to Take Risks? Call a Professional Automotive Locksmith
If you’re careful about your things, your cautious self won’t allow you to take any steps alone. We recommend that you only proceed if you’ve professional expertise in unlocking car doors or dealing with such problems. If not, it’s always best to call a skilled automobile locksmith in Birmingham to assist you with a frozen-up car door lock.
We can unlock any car door lock at AFA Locksmith Birmingham without breaking a sweat. Call us anytime at (205) 379-8481 and let us resolve your problem.
