In cold weather temperature, it's easy for car doors and locks to freeze. And, especially so, if your car is parked outside and exposed to the harsh elements all night long.
Plan Your Attack on That Frozen Car Door
The first thing you should do when encountering a frozen door, is to try accessing the car through the other doors, or the rear hatch if necessary. Jump in and start the engine and let it run for several minutes. It doesn't take long to heat up the car and thus warm the locks on all the doors.
You've done a great job so far! You have to be careful though, warming up a car and forcing the doors open can damage the car door seals. Patience is the key, otherwise, there will be money coming out your pockets down the road.
Using a heated key is actually a smart idea as well. The hard part is heating the key itself. You can do this with a match or a lighter. No need to caution against getting burned!
A blow dryer isn't a bad idea either. Of course, the real challenge is being in close proximity to an electrical outlet. You might want to save this handy suggestion as a last resort!
There've been a few timely suggestions that using your thumb might work in place of a lighter. However, having worked in cold climates, placing your flesh against freezing metal is not the best plan of attack!
If you have no other choice than to park you car outside in the elements, you might want to consider putting a tarp over it. It's a simple act that can extend the life of any vehicle.
There are a lot of things you can do to spruce up your life for the New Year. Why not check into the automotive classroom training that can help "thaw" out your life. Request our WyoTech DVD today!
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