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How to Unfreeze a Frozen Car Door Lock

Car doors and their locks can freeze during the winter, especially when there is a heavy snowfall. Dampness can penetrate into the door lock and freeze, thus making it impossible to open the car door. Use these simple tips to unfreeze the car door lock.

Instruction Difficulty: Medium

Things Required:

Lock De-Icer

A Hair Dryer

A Cigarette Lighter

Petroleum Jelly

Car Key

Step1: Try to open another door. While this tip is easy, many people get puzzled and panic on finding out that their car door lock is frozen and they don’t consider opening another door or hatch. Usually, one of the remaining doors may not be frozen.

Step2: Try the car door lock de-icer. If you live in a cooler area, it is advisable to buy a small aerosol can of lock de-icer. Lock de-icer is quite simple to use to unfreeze any type of lock. Put the de-icer inside the door lock, spray and open the door.

Step3: Heat up the key with a lighter. With the help of a lighter or matches, heat the key for some time and put it into the lock. In some cases, it may have to be done repeatedly in order to unfreeze and thaw the lock totally. However hold the key carefully, since it is hot.

Step4: Apply petroleum jelly on the key. Petroleum jelly is an excellent remedy to unfreeze any type of lock. Apply little petroleum jelly on the key, twist it around and attempt to open the lock. You might have to do this repeatedly for some time to make the door lock work.

Step5: Use a hair dryer to heat the lock. This is the slowest method for unfreezing the car door lock. You have to run an extension cord to your car and concentrate the hair dryer on the door lock to thaw the lock.

Hints & Warnings

If you can, park the car inside the garage or car port if possible. This is because there the temperature will be bit warmer as compared to the outside. This will protect the lock against dampness to some extent.

If the key turns but the door doesn’t open, it is your car door that is the problem but not the lock.

Avoid keeping the lock de-icer in the glovebox. This will make it impossible for you to thaw the car door if the locks are frozen.

Don’t turn the key forcibly. It will only serve to break the key in lock. Metal ruptures easily if you use even the slightest of force when it is cold. Hence it is advisable to remain patient and avoid forcing the key to turn.

Article Source: http://www.ezinearticles.mk

Paul has been writing articles on various topics. To learn more click: How to Unfreeze a Frozen Car Door Lock,

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