How to Open a Frozen Car Door

Frozen car doors constitute a common problem during the winter months. Before you know it, you can find yourself locked out of your vehicle. Instead of waiting for the spring thaw, here's are some quick, easy and inexpensive ways to open that frozen car door.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lighter
• Gloves
• Hairdryer
• Aerosol lock de-icer

1. Try all the doors to see if you can get in without resorting to drastic measures. If another door is open, climb in through that door, start the car and keep the heater on until the heat defrosts the frozen locks. If this is not doable, move on to Step 2.

2. Heat your car key with a cigarette lighter or matches. This should get the key hot enough to melt the ice inside the lock. Remember to wear gloves during this process. If Step 2 is not effective, move on to Step 3.

3. Use a hairdryer to thaw the lock. Keep the hairdryer positioned on the lock for a few minutes, and repeatedly try the lock in between blasts of heat. If Step 3 proves ineffective, try Step 4.

4. Buy an aerosol lock de-icer with an alcohol-lubricant mixture. Squirt it into the key slot and wait for it to thaw the lock.

Tips & Warnings

• If the lock isn't the problem, but the door is, trying the lever several times should knock away enough ice to open the door. When washing the car in winter, cover the key holes with masking tape beforehand to keep water out. This is often the cause of a frozen car lock.

Who Can Help Sponsored

[mietwagen]

on 1/8/2009 Thank you for the tips!

[snowmanjack]

on 1/6/2009 A lot of times the lock is fine but the door is frozen. Usually pounding the door all around the edges will break the ice enough to allow you to open the door.

Once you can get in one door, it's better to push the others open from the inside than yank on the handle with all your might.

[BigDiamonds]

on 1/3/2009 jeez, the problems you yanks get!

[HugoRutten]

on 12/30/2008 A yearly issue here in Minnesota. Thanks for the tips.

[BrendaKaye]

on 12/28/2008 I can't tell you how many times my doors have frozen in the bitter cold winter months. Great information on a frigid and troublesome problem! Thank you!!