Frozen car lock

PippaGirl_2

I have had to cancel my plans this morning because though I could get my key in the car lock it wouldn't turn as it was frozen. I tried everything on every youtube video and website as suggested and nothing worked.

How can I prevent my car locks from freezing again? Car covers? Is there a tool that works to unfreeze them? I've seen small battery operated things but the reviews seem to imply they don't work?

I can't afford to get the central locking fixed and there is only one key-hole, driver door, so I am stumped and don't want not to have the use of the car all winter just because a key won't turn.

Grateful for any advice.

pogofish

Spray some WD-40 into the lock (with the little tube) and do so every few weeks through the winter - That should keep it from freezing.

In the meantime, a hot towel pressed over the lock and surrounding door should help free it. Then get squirting

Frugalsod

I would have suggested WD-40 as well. It also helps to do it before you actually need it to lubricate the lock as a precaution.

WantToBeSE

I had the same problem and sprayed some de-icer into the keyhole and just waited for 10 mins.

The WD40 is a good idea though I'll do that tonight.

neilmcl

There's a trick that works on older cars but being a girl I don't think it would have been practical to try it, least not in public.

Horizon81

Where's it parked overnight? Do you have to lock it?

wd40 sprayed directly into the lock is the usual fix. I guess you could take off the inner door trim and cover the lock mechanism with insulation if you want to try something leftfield.

Iceweasel

There is available a special lock lubricant and de-icer which works better than WD-40 - you'll find it at Halfords, Tesco and Asda etc.

WD40 needs to be re-applied every couple of days by poking the little plastic pipe into the lock.

The other thing to watch for even if you have central-locking is the rubber seals freezing to the door-frame. They can be easily damaged by excessive force to open the door.

That's an easy fix - you just need to spray some de-icer on a paper towel and wipe all round the rubber seals on the door and the door-frame.

Johno100

neilmcl wrote: »

There's a trick that works on older cars but being a girl I don't think it would have been practical to try it, least not in public.

There are still some areas where equality only goes so far.:D

She could always knock a male neighbour up:rotfl:

worried_jim

In had the same prob this morning on the way to an appointment, fortunately the passenger door was ok so I was able to get in the car. I have just sprayed some Silicone Spray into the locks to prevent this happening again anytime soon.

I wasn't so fortunate a few years ago when it had snowed heavily and I was only able to access the car through the boot, got it started and climbed back out to clear the windows locking myself out the car in the process leaving the engine running with my house keys and phone in the car. Cost me £84 to get a locksmith out and break into my house so I could get a spare set of car keys out. At least the car was lovely and warm when I finally got back in it.

Brallaqueen

I ended up licking and breathing into the lock to de-ice it once. All my de-icing kit was in the car, which i couldn't get to. Made a few people laugh in the work car park.

Quentin

If you have no chemicals or other (warm) fluid:

1. Insert the key (don't try and turn it in case you snap it).

2. Remove it

go back to 1 and keep repeating the exercise. In and out. As fast as you can. Till you feel the lock turning.

The friction warms the key which in turn thaws the lock.