5 Ways To Fix A Frozen Car Door 

One of the winter woes is trying to open your car door and finding that it’s been frozen and sealed up by frost. The car can be frozen around the door to its frame or the internal lock cylinders can get frozen which jams the car lock and you can’t unlock it. While there are many DIYs to help you out, we list 5 main ones that have been recommended by a professional locksmith for being safe to implement. Make sure that the car door is indeed frozen and there are no other internal mechanical issues that are causing your car lock to malfunction. If frost is not the culprit, you may need the help of a locksmith to fix the car door so that you can access it like normal. In case you’re running late and even the de-freezing doesn’t seem to have an effect, you should seek a 24/7 emergency locksmith in Avon, MA for urgent assistance. Avon Locksmith Service  in Avon, MA is a highly reputed locksmith firm providing expert solutions all day and night long. So if you need a locksmith’s help, you know whom to reach out in your area.

Let’s look at the hacks that can help you defreeze your frozen car lock:

  1. Using a rubbing alcohol or a hand sanitizer containing isopropyl alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol has industrial use in its salt form as a de-icer since it has a freezing point lower than water. However you shouldn’t use its salt form for de-freezing the ice. Instead you’ll find it in common household products like hand sanitizers that contain it as a component. Not all sanitizers contain isopropyl alcohol so ensure that the one you use actually contains it. While using it, you dab some of the sanitizer on the frozen lock and the door frames. The alcohol will vaporize and reduce moisture residue. Try to open the door after some time and if frozen locks was the reason you’ll find the door easily reopened. If some difficulty still persists, do not delay and call the nearest locksmith for helping you resolve your car lock issue.

  1. Diluted vinegar

Vinegar lowers the freezing point of water and can be sprayed on frost to melt the ice. It is a pretty effective method for frozen locks. However, you need to be careful while handling vinegar as it can cause damage to your car if it’s applied raw. Vinegar for thawing the ice should always be used in its diluted form. The recommended mixture for this purpose is three-parts of vinegar with one part of water. If you apply raw vinegar you can firstly cause damage to the car paint and cause its discoloration. The window of a frozen car can gain yellow stains from strong vinegar. Additionally, vinegar odor can linger inside your car making it unpleasant for the car inside. So make sure you use the recommended proportion in the diluted vinegar.  

  1. De-icing agents

Instead of homemade DIY remedies you can try market bought de-icer agents that can help you unfreeze your lock. Most de-icers contain calcium chloride that thaws the ice and prevents the water from re-freezing. The advantage of de-icer agents is that not only it melts frost but it also absorbs the thawed water to prevent them from accumulating in nooks and crevices. Residual moisture can attract dirt and cause rust to internal lock parts so a de-icer is pretty useful in this regard. However, you need to check if the de-icing agent is suitable for use on metals and particularly on cars. It may be corrosive and in that case you shouldn’t use it for unfreezing a car door. Another problem is if you can’t ride your car and you possibly don’t have a de-icing agent in your house, you cannot use it at all. Try using other home remedies itself and if your car lock still feels jammed then go ahead and contact a 24/7 emergency locksmith in Avon, MA  so that you can gain access to your car at the soonest.

  1. Using an ice scraper

The use of an ice scraper is only applicable if you have the frozen ice on the gap of the car frame and the door or frost accumulated within visibility. This method cannot be used if you have ice lodged inside the lock or in deeper crevices or joints. You should use a car scraper gently against the surface or else you can damage the car if you scrape with a lot of force. You need patience while using an ice scraper. If the ice is shallow, you can remove it in less time than expected and unlock the car door.

  1. Using heat

This is a common DIY and again an effective way to unfreeze a frozen lock. However, you need to keep a few points in mind while applying heat. Using hot water is a strict no-no as it can cause damage to the car. Use a hair dryer or a heat gun to warm up the lock. Mack sure the metal doesn’t get hot. It just needs to be warm enough for the ice to thaw and the hot air also helps in vaporizing the thawed ice. If you get the car fob too hot, inserting a cold key in a freezing weather can lead you to breaking the key and adding to your troubles. So use this method carefully and with skill. If you still find issues with your car lock, reach out to your local locksmith service for assistance.

While using any of the methods, you must be careful with not going overboard with it. In case you feel you need the help of a locksmith, reach out to the 24/7 emergency locksmith in Avon, MA provided by Avon Locksmith Service . You are guaranteed with a full-on support with their professional services. Dial 508-392-4260 for any locksmith queries!