Frozen Car Door

Tips for Opening a Frozen Car Door

If it's simply the car door lock that's frozen, try heating your car key with a lighter and inserting it into the lock. The heat from the metal may be enough to thaw the ice and allow you to unlock it. To ensure that the lock will not freeze again, spray it with WD-40.

If the entire door is frozen, carefully chip the ice away from the edges with a scraper. Be careful not to scratch the paint of the car. If you cannot chip the ice away, try pouring some windshield washer fluid on the icy areas; windshield washer fluid contains alcohol and this may help melt the ice.

Use a blow dryer set on high to melt the surrounding ice.

The best way to open a frozen car door and prevent future frustration is to purchase de-icer. Many good brands are available at hardware and auto shops – just be sure the solvent displaces moisture and leaves behind a lubricant. If the lock itself is frozen, spray the product directly into the key hole, wait five seconds and then put in your key and try to turn it. Most of these products have straws that help direct the product out of the can and into small areas, making the de-icing process easy.

Once the door is open, consider spraying the de-icer along the hinges of the door to keep other parts from freezing. Keep the de-icer in your home or garage where you can easily find it. Do not keep it in your vehicle. Having de-icer in your frozen vehicle won't do you much good.