How can I keep my doors on my car from freezing shut?

Question

Now that winter is here, my car doors keep freezing shut. I have to bang myself up against the door several times and jerk on the handle to get it to loosen up. I am afraid I am going to break the door handles. Any suggestions on what I can do to stop this problem would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Answer 1

DO NOT USE WD-40!!! It will eat the foam-rubber door seals and ruin your paint at the same time!

Go to the auto parts store and get some spray silicone lube. Do not spray it directly on the door-seal or the paint, it will stain your paint ever so slightly.

Spray it on a rag or paper towel, then WIPE your door seals with the wet (silicone) rag. You can also rub it on the inside of the door where the seal touches the door for extra protection.

Answer 2

These conditions don't happen too often with ice but they do arise. When you suspect it will be one of those nights, just drape a heavy piece of plastic over the top of the door and place a refrigerator magnet or two down low, past the window molding rubber seam. Anything you spray into that door other than a silicone type lubricant will make the inside of the car smell terrible, Your right, it's not necessarily the lock, but the rods that go across the door from the main lock to the inside door handle ( most likely ). Some cars just have a real poor window seal where it meets the door and it a real pain. So, for the amount of times we experience freezing rain conditions, you might just want to try this. Get yourself some spray silicone and a bit longer plastic tube to direct some spray onto the linkage as well. If you arrive home with wet windows that will soon freeze up, get the plastic on it as soon as you can. I hope this helps a bit... It works for me in Lower NY State.... 95 Toyota Camry...

Answer 3

Get some vaseline and rub a thin amount all the way around the door where it meets the body of the car. Vaseline won't really evaporate and it doesn't freeze very easily. When it warms up in the spring, wipe it off with a paper towel that has some glass cleaner on it.

Also, get some grease from the hardware store and apply it to the latch mechanism that keeps the door closed.

Answer 4

PAM. If you take a little non-stick spray and put it on a rag, whipe it on the rubber seal of your door jam. This will prevent it from sticking. If you want to be thourough, get some 3 in 1 oil from autozone and lube the door latch where it meets the door stud. (this is spring loaded, so dont push on it in the door) just get some oil on it and open and close the door a few times. You may also get some into the key slot if it is freezing.

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How can I keep my doors on my car from freezing shut?
Now that winter is here, my car doors keep freezing shut. I have to bang myself up against the door several times and jerk on the handle to get it to loosen up. I am afraid I am going to break the door handles. Any suggestions on what I can do to stop this problem would be greatly appreciated....

Answer 6

I work nights, and when I lived in Douglas , Arizona, come out in the morning, and couldn't even get my KEY into the dang door! I remember using some cups of warm water on the handle and key hole. Helped. But I am sure, people with ALOT more experience will help ya more!!! Good Luck!

Answer 7

Put a car cover on it. That way all you do is shake it off and throw it in the trunk. No ice scraping or any frozen doors. Make sure you get a cover with a cable lock so no one steals it.

Answer 8

A good solution is to get a remote starter installed in your car. This way when you park at night you could set the thermostat on high and when you remote start up in the morning, give it about ten minutes while you get ready and wala! Works great for me.

Answer 9

Spray a little wd-40 on the door and frame. And inside the handle and lock while you're at it.

Answer 10

Vaseline on door seal works great to