What to do to prevent car doors from freezing

There is no need to talk about the severity of Russian winters again. Every driver has experienced the negative effects of negative temperatures on a car. One of the most common problems is that car doors freeze. This article will reveal what to do in such cases and what can be used to avoid similar situations in the future.

What to do if the car does not open

The reason for this annoying situation is the moisture that gets on the seals. It may remain after if it was not dried well enough. Or arise due to condensation, which forms during sudden temperature changes (it’s warm in the cabin, frosty outside). If you close your car during heavy snowfall, snow gets on the seals, it melts and turns into water, which subsequently freezes and sticks the door tightly. Water can also get into the lock and prevent it from opening.

Opening the lock

The method that our grandfathers used is to heat the key with a regular lighter. The heated key is inserted into the lock and attempts are made to turn it. Without fanaticism and effort, so as not to break the key. Such actions are repeated several times.

The key can be heated with a lighter and inserted into the lock

For modern drivers, they were invented that allow a more civilized way to open a frozen lock on a car door. For example, a keychain that is called a “car lock defroster.” This device runs on batteries and has a retractable probe. It is inserted into the lock and heats up, thereby defrosting the opening mechanism.

If you don’t have it on hand, you can pour alcohol or alcohol-containing liquids, vodka, antifreeze car fluid, or a product that is designed specifically for defrosting a car lock into the lock hole. The latter option is especially good, since the substance displaces frozen water from the keyhole, while covering the contact area with an oily film with a protective effect.

You should not make common mistakes that can lead to sad and irreparable consequences:

1. Use hot water.
2. Use force to turn the key.
3. Bring the lighter to the car door.

Open the door

Opening the lock is only half the problem. After all, the door itself often freezes to the body. In such a situation, you can go in two different ways. The fastest method is suitable for very busy and wealthy drivers. We pull the doors properly, without worrying about the condition of the seals after such actions. If this method suits you perfectly, then choose the side of the machine that is used least often. Broken seals on the driver's side will cause you a lot of inconvenience, and a draft can even cause damage to your health. You shouldn't rely on the guarantee - it doesn't change the rubber bands. You will have to pay for this service yourself.

Thrifty, economical and not in a hurry drivers should consider another option that will keep the rubber bands on the doors safe and sound. To do this you will need to follow the following algorithm:

1. Make sure the lock functions and is in the open position.
2. Remove the layer of ice on the hood of the car that may prevent the doors from opening. To do this, you can use a special scraper or a plastic object of a suitable shape. It is not worth showing your strength capabilities in order to preserve the paintwork of the car.
3. By lightly pressing and tapping on the corners of the door structure, try to destroy the layer of ice that has formed on the door seal. Do similar actions with each car door and even with the trunk in hatchbacks and station wagons.
4. If previous actions did not lead to a positive result, then WD-40 or its equivalent will come to the rescue. The product you choose is applied to the rubber seals, which after 10 minutes should soften and pull away from the body.

Doors cannot be opened using a handy lever; use just boiled water (warm water as a last resort).

Preventive action

To prevent all the troubles described above from upsetting you in winter, you need to prepare your car. To do this, you will need to lubricate the lock with WD-40 or any other equivalent. This is easy to do - lubricant is applied to the key, which is then inserted into the keyhole and turned with smooth movements. It is better to carry out this procedure at positive temperatures. Lubricant is also applied to the seals. For these purposes, it is good to use silicone-based products or, again, WD-40. In extreme cases, technical Vaseline is suitable, but its application in winter will have to be repeated several times.

These products should be applied carefully to prevent them from getting on seats and clothing. Silicone has the property of displacing liquid from any surface to which it is applied. The product in question forms a water-repellent film. Silicone grease can be applied to the rubber bands even immediately after washing.

If you come across a good product, then just one lubricant can protect your car for a month or even until the end of the cold weather.

Door seals must be wiped immediately after washing the car.

Since water is the cause of freezing car doors, it must be constantly eliminated. After each wash, thoroughly wipe the seals. Condensation can be avoided by leaving the car open for 5 minutes before parking. During this time, the temperature in the cabin and outside will become the same.

To avoid dancing around your car in the future and tearing off rubber bands in the most merciless manner, take care of purchasing special car care products. Lubricating all adjacent elements is a mandatory step in the process of preparing a car for winter. Just in case, have it on hand. Be sure to store them outside the car. And remember that a conscientious and responsible driver does not have doors frozen to the body.