How to open a frozen car

How to open a frozen castle

On cars equipped with burglar alarms, you can open the lock using a key fob. However, at low temperatures, the battery often runs out in it and it becomes useless. Then you have to open the door with a key. And there are three ways.

Remember to check all doors, not just the driver's. Hatchbacks and SUVs can also be accessed through the trunk.

Method 1. Crumbling

If the lock is slightly frozen and you managed to insert the key into the hole, try crumbling the ice inside by rotating the key from side to side. Proceed with caution, do not exert too much effort. Overdo it - and the remains of a broken key will be added to the ice jam.

If the driver's door won't budge, try the same procedure with the passenger's.

Method 2. We warm up

If you can't turn the key in the lock, you can try to melt the ice. The simplest thing is to heat the key itself with a lighter.

A more effective option is to insert a thin metal object into the lock and heat it already, transferring heat to the inside of the mechanism. A hairpin, a piece of wire or an unbent key ring is suitable as a guide. If there are other cars nearby, try heating the lock with a hot cigarette lighter.

What you shouldn't do is pour hot water: in the cold it will immediately cool down and freeze, further aggravating the problem.

Another bad tip is to blow through the keyhole. The warmth of your breath is still not enough to melt the ice, but the resulting condensation will immediately freeze. Moreover, through carelessness, you can generally stick to the lock with your lips.

Method 3. Defrost

It is best to use a special defrosting spray, the so-called liquid wrench. You just need to attach a small spray can to the lock and press the spray a couple of times. An alcohol-based liquid will melt the ice, and the lubricant included in the composition will prevent corrosion and protect against subsequent freezing.

If you don't have a liquid key at hand, but there is a pharmacy nearby, you can buy alcohol and a syringe and inject the lock: the effect will be the same.

But pshik in the lock WD-40 and other liquids based on kerosene is not worth it. They will do little against ice, but they will wash off all the grease from the mechanism.

How to open a frozen door

Unlocking the lock is only half the battle, because to get into the car, you still need to open the door. Due to the larger area, it, or rather the rubber seals, freeze to the body much stronger.

In no case should you pull the handle with all your might: the door is unlikely to budge, but the handle may fall off. To open a frozen door, you need to knock on it with your fist around the entire perimeter and push on it. So you will crush the seal, the ice on it will crumble and free the door from captivity.

You can also try shaking the car from side to side.

For hatchbacks and station wagons, try slamming the trunk a few times, if you can open it, of course. The air flow will push the door from the inside.

How to open frozen windows

There is no particular need to open windows, unless you are going to wipe the side mirrors directly from the passenger compartment. However, in order not to inadvertently spoil the window regulator mechanisms, it is better not in any case to try to lower the icy glass before the interior warms up.

When the ice melts, the windows can be opened and also treated with silicone grease where the seal is attached.

And don't scrub your mirrors with a scraper; it will scratch and damage the anti-reflective coating.

If your car is not equipped with electrically heated mirrors, try cleaning them from ice with warm air. When the machine has warmed up, blow air from the heater through an open window,

How to keep a car from freezing

Wipe the door seals dry and treat them with silicone grease or spray.
Allow the car to cool down before parking. Ventilate the interior by opening all doors and trunk to allow moisture to evaporate or freeze.
Be sure to coat all locks with a silicone-based moisture-repellent lubricant.
With constant freezing of the locks, dry them well by placing the car in a warm garage or in an underground parking lot. The machine will warm up and then all the moisture will evaporate.
When leaving the car overnight, remove snow from the top and bottom of the doors.
And don't forget to throw newspapers on the floor. They will absorb the melted snow, and the humidity in the cabin will decrease.
Always make sure that the car is thoroughly dried after washing. The washer must blow compressed air through the glass seals, wiper blades, washer nozzles, as well as locks, door handles and the fuel filler flap.