wifes Subaru door lock keeps freezing?

fadetoblack · 19 Dec 2009 at 15:57

as above she cannot insert key in the cold mornings. whats the best way of sorting problem? WD40?

Scythe · 19 Dec 2009 at 16:01

Warm water over the lock?

mjt · 19 Dec 2009 at 16:05

does it have central locking? try the passenger side..

Gav · 19 Dec 2009 at 16:06

fadetoblack said:
as above she cannot insert key in the cold mornings. whats the best way of sorting problem? WD40?

yeah. there must be water in the lock so give it a good spray of wd40 in the slot where the key goes. this should displace the water.

fadetoblack · 19 Dec 2009 at 16:14

Forgot to say all door locks freeze

Trifid · 19 Dec 2009 at 16:26

WD40 isn't really the thing to use as it is a degreaser. Try white lithium grease as a longer term solution.

daveydave · 19 Dec 2009 at 17:46

surely de-icer in a spray can?

Biohazard · 19 Dec 2009 at 17:47

daveydave said:
surely de-icer in a spray can?

be a good start

daveydave · 19 Dec 2009 at 17:47

oooooor...don't most petrol stations sell a pocket size tool for this, it uses a few batteries and heats up a pin like element you push into the lock.

WhiteCobra · 19 Dec 2009 at 17:52

Heat your key up and slowly melt the ice inside the lock with your key end.

Trifid · 19 Dec 2009 at 18:01

daveydave said:
oooooor...don't most petrol stations sell a pocket size tool for this, it uses a few batteries and heats up a pin like element you push into the lock.

Similar to this? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Emergency-HOT...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item4396ed5a46

daveydave · 19 Dec 2009 at 18:03

Trifid said:
Similar to this? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Emergency-HOT...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item4396ed5a46

Yeah basically.

Dr Who · 19 Dec 2009 at 18:19

Trifid said:
WD40 isn't really the thing to use as it is a degreaser. Try white lithium grease as a longer term solution.

WD40 displaces the moisture that is freezing, grease gets all over the key and then your clothes, so not the best solution tbh.

I just carry a tiny can of lock de-icer

mjt · 19 Dec 2009 at 19:00

what happens if you pour boiling water over the lock? i presume you've tried this..

daveydave · 19 Dec 2009 at 19:06

mjt said:
what happens if you pour boiling water over the lock? i presume you've tried this..

Not good for paint work and will freeze quicker than pour cold water over the lock.

Seriously just spray some de-icer on it 2mins before you're due to go out to the car; even do it the night before.

Dreadi · 19 Dec 2009 at 19:08

All the girlfriends locks on her golf did this, apart from the boot.....which i was then pushed through and made to start the car, then they open from inside

mjt · 19 Dec 2009 at 19:15

daveydave said:
Not good for paint work and will freeze quicker than pour cold water over the lock.

i did this in norway when it was -10C as the door lock stuck in the open position once i opened the door and it wouldn't stay shut.
eventually the lock would click closed again. i never had any problems with it freezing. in fact i don't think it did. you're only pouring it over a tiny area. it's not like you're pouring it over a windscreen or something (which is a stupid thing to do)

PardonTheWait · 19 Dec 2009 at 19:45

Get one of those lock de-icers, the metal sticks that you stick in the lock and they warm up. Or squirt de-icer on the key before you put it in.

thepeteh · 19 Dec 2009 at 20:09

just rub the lock really quickly with the palm of your hand for a 30seconds, then warm the key up with hot air from your mouth... thats what I have done last few days

Finglonga · 19 Dec 2009 at 20:34

Scythe said:
Warm water over the lock?

That's the cause of frozen locks on car doors. I have never had a lock freeze as I have never poured water on them to defrost them.

Best bet is a hot key and a water dis-percent to get rid of any remaining water.