How to Melt a Frozen Door Lock on a Car

Frozen car door locks are a fairly common occurrence in cold climates. Unfreezing a car door lock can be time consuming and frustrating, particularly if the individual uses an ineffective method.

When trying to unfreeze a frozen door lock, it’s important to understand what not to do:

• Do not pour hot water on the frozen door or lock – This rarely works, especially in frigid temperatures. Car doors have a tight seal, so the water is unlikely to penetrate. Any water that does penetrate risks freezing, thereby making the situation worse. In conditions of severe cold, water can freeze in a matter of seconds.
• Never force the key to turn or to open a frozen car door – Brute force is almost never effective when attempting to open an iced-up lock or when trying to open a frozen car door. Cold plastic and metal becomes very brittle and cold metal will fracture with surprisingly little force. The result could be a key broken off in the lock or a broken car door handle.
• Before attempting to melt ice in a frozen door lock, it’s wise to try another door or even the car’s hatch. Often, another car door will open without any problems, but due to panic and frustration, many people forget to try this simple step.

How to Unfreeze a Frozen Door Lock on a Car

The easiest way to melt ice in a car door lock involves using a can of lock de-icer. The lock de-icer’s straw-like nozzle is inserted into the lock, and the solution is injected. But this only works if the individual has a can of lock de-icer on-hand!

It’s best to purchase several cans that can be kept in the home, purse, office desk drawer and in the car’s glove box (useful in the event that the driver arrives home to a frozen door lock on the house – but remember that a can of lock de-icer in the glove box is useless if the car door lock is frozen!)

Heating the key can be an easy solution for a door lock with just a little bit of ice accumulation. Hold the key with tongs, oven mitt, thick gloves, pliers, etc. to provide protection from the heat. Heat the key with a lighter (or matches if a lighter is unavailable) and immediately place the key inside the lock; the heat will melt the ice.

For an all-metal key, it can be placed inside the door lock and the lighter can be used to heat the portion of key that’s still visible. The heat will travel down the metal, warming the lock components. This is not possible on most newer car keys, which have a plastic handle.

Warming a Frozen Door Lock With a Hair Dryer

The most time consuming yet a sure-fire way to melt ice in a door lock involves running an extension cord outdoors and using a hairdryer to warm the metal lock components.

In the case of a windy day, it’s important to block the wind so the heat from the hairdryer will contact the lock and the surrounding metal. The wind can be blocked by standing in a strategic location, or using an umbrella, a piece of cardboard, a book, or another similar object.

For all-metal keys, placing the key inside the lock will make for a faster lock thawing process, since the heat will travel down the key and into the iced-up lock mechanism.

Unfreeze Car Door Locks With Petroleum Jelly or Vaseline

When trying to unfreeze a car door lock, Vaseline or another similar petroleum jelly product can be very effective. The Vaseline promotes melting, and it promotes the movement of the lock components.

To use Vaseline to open a frozen car door lock, dip the key in the petroleum jelly and insert it into the door. If it’s possible to do so, wiggle the key back and forth – do not force it to turn, as this could cause the key to breaking off in the lock!

If the car door lock remains frozen, repeat the aforementioned steps three or four times, then wait about five minutes (to allow the petroleum jelly to take effect) and repeat as necessary.

Ways to Prevent Frozen Door Locks on Cars, Trucks, and Home

There are several methods that can be used to prevent frozen locks in a car, home, or elsewhere. In the case of a frozen car door lock, it can be beneficial to park the car inside a garage, carport, or other covered location to lessen exposure to moisture.

The temperature inside a garage is usually a bit warmer than the temperatures outdoors, and in extreme cold, a space heater can be placed by the car (near the driver’s door) to keep the air in this region a bit warmer; this will prevent a frozen car door and/or lock.

Vaseline or another similar petroleum jelly can be used to prevent icing. To prevent the car door lock from freezing, dip a key in Vaseline and place it inside the lock; turn the key back and forth. Repeat this step three or four times to ensure that the Vaseline is well-distributed; perform the entire process once a week during the winter.

The Vaseline will prevent door locks from freezing by creating a protective barrier. Water will be unable to penetrate the lock mechanism. This method can be used on the car, on house door locks, and anywhere else where cold temperatures are present.

How to Prevent Ice in Car Doors – Methods to Avoid Frozen Doors on a Vehicle

Petroleum jelly can also come in handy for preventing frozen car doors. A thin layer of petroleum jelly can be applied to the door gasket, hinges, and other mechanical components.

Any moving parts and points where the door contacts the door frame (when the door is closed) are prone to freezing, so Vaseline or another petroleum jelly product can be applied weekly (or as needed). A thin layer will seal out moisture and prevent a frozen car door. Applying Vaseline to the door’s hinges will also remedy a squeaky door on a car or elsewhere!