Michigan winters aren’t for the faint of heart. We get cold – really, really, really cold! One winter frustration that can leave you stranded is frozen vehicle door locks. This happens to many who have no choice but to leave their vehicles outside. You might find yourself in a bind if your holiday shopping took much longer than you anticipated or an unexpected cold front moves in. You can keep your docks thawed. Here’s what we do at Meadows Automotive.
Cover the Locks
Head to the hobby store and purchase a couple of heavy-duty magnets that will fit over your door locks. When you park your car, truck or SUV, place the magnets over the locks. This prevents ice from getting inside the lock mechanism, but it won’t deter theft, so don’t consider it your anti-theft device. If you’re concerned about auto theft, look into an alarm.
Lube the Locks
Silicon spray is an excellent choice for this tip, but you can also use petroleum jelly if you don’t have any spray handy. Dip your car key into the petroleum jelly or spray it with the silicon spray and then insert it into your door lock. Turn the lock from the locked to the unlocked position a few times to keep the lock loose. Do this once a week when the mercury drops in the winter.
Keep De-Ice Handy
It’s always wise to have a can of de-icing during the winter. Keep one in your garage and on you if you need to go out during particularly nasty weather. A few quick sprits of the de-ice will unfreeze the locks so you can get into your car and fire up the heater. If you don’t want to carry a can with you, keep a lighter in your pocket or purse and heat your key to defrost the lock.
Be Inventive
Finally, if you head out to the car for your morning commute to work and discover a frozen lock, head inside and grab your hair dryer and an extension cord. Turn the dryer on its hottest setting and defrost your lock with the heated air. Be careful of moisture – you don’t want to get the electronics wet – and also be careful of your car’s surface. Don’t overheat it and melt the plastic.
We Are Your Neighborhood Mechanic
In 2017, Meadows Automotive opened our Waterford Township, MI, shop. We are members of your community and remain a family-owned business dedicated to those around us. We can help you with your automotive needs, whether frozen locks or service and repairs. We work on domestic and foreign vehicles, so stop by our shop or call us today.
