Getting into frozen car door locks?

[Kenny M.]

Originally Posted by rjsurfer

Just have her boyfriend pee on the lock.

Ron W.

Had to do that once. Looks silly but it will work.

[P B G]

You had to have your boyfriend pee on your lock?

[Twilight Error]

Originally Posted by WVhillbilly

I doubt it, I've sprayed starting fluid on a windshield and lit it to melt the ice.
But I don't recommend doing it on a car you like or plan to keep.

Or your car at all...

[WVhillbilly]

I've driven cars that cost $75, it was an option.
Made even more logical when the heater didn't work.

[Canuman]

Spray the locks with silicone, WD40, weasel piss, or whatever's your favorite light lube. Spraying the door seals and window seals with silicone is a great idea also -- it prevents a lot of problems, because they can freeze to the jambs. Lubricate the outside door handles also, Yanking on a frozen door handle can cause it to break off in your hand. This is when a sun roof comes in handy.

Get a little squirt bottle with denatured alcohol, Heet, or whatever, and keep it on hand. If the lock freezes, squirt some into the keyhole. If it still doesn't work, squirt more on and light it.

After this, re-lube. The alcohol will wash out any lube that's there.

From Ice Station Zebra.

[BigChris99]

Taking notes over on the West Coast...... Thanks all

[marc-s]

sometimes it helps using the door on the other side. Had that problem last winter: the passenger side door was less affected than the drivers one. and way too often it's not the lock that freezes but the mechanism inside the door and the part that makes contact with the cars frame. so be sure to apply lots of grease to the whole mechanism. And apply some vaseline or smiliar to the door gaskets, as the tend to freeze too. the more the merrier. and the better they seal, the less moisture you'll get into your door. Depending on your car it may makes sense to add an additiional outside seal to the door, so that less water can enter the door lock mechanism.

if you have the problem every day I guess the only thing that really helps is drying the shit out of that door. And then you can thinkg about on how to prevent new moisture entering it. but first of all you need to get rid of what's already inside.

[concours]

WD-40 used PREEMPTIVELY works great. Displaces the moisture that can freeze. Nozzle in the key slot and hose it out. Another BIG offender is the door gasket can get wet with melt water, then freeze overnight. Knuckle dragging mouth breathers routinely rip the door handle right off... (they are very tender compared to yesteryear) so if that is encountered, try all the other doors, maybe find one not frozen as bad, or grab the edges of the door with strong (daughters manly bud) fingers and pull while holding the handle unlatched. Also, use dry silicone spray on all the door gaskets BEFORE winter, it will reduce the freezing to a minimum. Your welcome.

[pennswoodsed]

Originally Posted by rjsurfer

Just have her boyfriend pee on the lock.

Ron W.

What if she doesn't have a "boy" friend?

Bigger question is aftermarket alarm ,constant draw will kill battery ,charging system . No start provision will make jump impossible . Voltage circuit will trigger when battery gets low, alarm triggers ,annoying neighbors ,coup de gras for battery !
Lubed locks won't freeze , wettish door seals will .
Regards,Ed

[concours]

Originally Posted by pennswoodsed

What if she doesn't have a "boy" friend?

Bigger question is aftermarket alarm ,constant draw will kill battery ,charging system . No start provision will make jump impossible . Voltage circuit will trigger when battery gets low, alarm triggers ,annoying neighbors ,coup de gras for battery !
Lubed locks won't freeze , wettish door seals will .
Regards,Ed

I got a Harbor Freight solar battery charger for my Daughter's car seldom used at college.. after a 200 mile road call for the dead battery. Good of you to mention that. It never went dead here, even when sitting for 4-6 weaks, we never locked the old crud, alarm didn't set.

[ragtoplvr]

There are some newer hardtop cars where the window has to roll down slightly when the door is opened. The new mustang comes to mind. How do you get into one of these to charge the battery or if the door is iced over real thick?

Rod

[gwedo]

live up hear in canada 50 years (thats a lot of cold time) lock deicer in the purse is a good idea.if its washed thats when you get the problems of freezing up ,or rain then freeze if its real thick ,us a hair dryer on the lock .only froze up a couple times in all this time iv been hear including -53.

[1greenmachine]

If she's the type of person that has to keep a clean vehicle and washes it all the time she'll have issues. In her case since she has a purse have her carry a lock deicer thou i never had that great of luck., also carry a couple lighters to heat up the key and stick it in, might take a few tries. My old truck the locks froze up alot so from the first hard freeze till spring i never locked it.

[troidus]

Originally Posted by 1greenmachine

If she's the type of person that has to keep a clean vehicle and washes it all the time she'll have issues.

Wash it in the morning on an above-freezing day, then take it out on the highway to blow-dry it. That should minimize the chance of it freezing up.

[1greenmachine]

Originally Posted by troidus

Wash it in the morning on an above-freezing day, then take it out on the highway to blow-dry it. That should minimize the chance of it freezing up.

But then its all dirty again, but still doesn't get the all the water out of the locks, could spray wd40 in there to help but this is for a colege girl so ain't gonna happen. I was just thinking i can't remember the lst time i actually used my key to unlock my vehicles, maybe i better try them.