How to Weatherproof Door Locks

Car door locks can easily freeze as the temperature drops.

The locks on the doors of your house are warmed by the air circulated throughout the house by the heating system. Throughout the winter, you never have to worry about your home locks freezing. The locks on your car doors are an entirely different matter. There is no heat inside or outside the parked car. Moisture may make its way into the locks. To avoid problems with the locks on your car freezing, you will need to take the time to weatherproof the locks before and throughout the cold season.

Things You'll Need

• Cloth
• Rubbing alcohol
• Commercial lubricant
• Petroleum jelly

Instructions

1. Clean off your car's door lock. Use a cloth and a little rubbing alcohol to be sure the surface is completely clean and dry. This will make the weatherproofing more effective.

2. Spray the car door locks with a commercial lubricant before the cold season begins.

3. Reapply the lubricant to the door locks throughout the cold season to continue to prevent them from freezing. Wait for a dry day, clean the lock, and spray the lock to weatherproof it.

4. Dip your car key in petroleum jelly and insert it in the car lock. Turn the key to distribute the petroleum jelly all around the lock. This will prevent ice from building up inside, which would freeze the lock.

Tips & Warnings

• If you find that your car lock is frozen, you can use a hairdryer or commercial de-icer product to thaw it.

References

• Samarins.com: How to prepare a car for winter
• Locksmith Rego Park: Lubricate Your Lock