Easy Ways To Open Frozen Car Doors And Locks

Skip to Content Skip to main content

• Home
• Tips, Tricks & Trends

TrendsEasy Ways to Open Frozen Car Doors and LocksWe included this list of maintenance tips and suggestions. If you need help opening frozen car doors and locks without damaging your vehicle, this list can help. by Desiree Homer Published on December 14, 2020 8:48 am 3 min read Share: Share on Twitter: Share on Facebook: Share via email: Copy link Link copied to the clipboard! Follow Us Add as preferred source on Google

‘Tis the season! Yes, it’s time for the holidays and hot cocoa. But wintry conditions are also here for many parts of the country. Snow, sleet, and sub-zero temps are expected in many states this winter. And no matter how beefy your snow tires or powerful your vehicle, you won’t leave your driveway if your car doors or locks are frozen shut. You’ll want to print out this list of maintenance tips and suggestions to help you open frozen car doors and locks without damaging your vehicle.

Tools to keep on hand unfreeze your car doors

Frozen car lock? Use a straw and blow on the lock to melt the ice. https://t.co/O02FKs96Pw pic.twitter.com/QYoGXxevps

— BuzzFeed DIY (@BuzzFeedDIY) January 31, 2015

It’s probably best to expect your car doors or locks to freeze this winter. Knowing there’s a possibility can help you prepare. Keep a scraper, preferably with a brush, outside and inside your vehicle. Sometimes just removing the snow from around the door can expose the jams enough to loosen the ice.

It’s also a good idea to have a portable lock de-icer on hand, either on you or in your home, Auto.com suggests. According to Bob Vila, a quick remedy for frozen car locks is to spray the de-icing solution directly into the lock, and you’ll be in the driver’s seat in no time.

What to do when you’re without a de-icer

First for everything. Lock in the car frozen shut? No worries, grab the kettle! #leeds pic.twitter.com/rkGjnqyVvF

— Aaron Royle (@ARoyle90) February 28, 2017

If you find yourself unprepared without any tools, there are a couple of other ways to get into your vehicle. Try other entrance points, for example. One side of your vehicle might have been directly facing freezing rain, but the other doors may not be frozen. Before you panic, try all the doors, hatchbacks, and liftgates.

It might also help to apply pressure to the frozen door. Don’t yank or get too aggressive, or you could break the door handle. Instead, lean into the door and gently pull back a series of times. You might be able to break loose any door-jamming ice.

Household remedies in a pinch

Don't let the cold snap stop you driving. Thaw a frozen car lock by applying alcohol-based hand sanitiser. pic.twitter.com/olkvTzQp0F

— Tesco (@Tesco) January 26, 2017

If your doors or car locks are frozen and you’re in a pinch, consider household remedies. Silicone sprays or even cooking sprays can be useful if you can apply them to your car door’s rubber seal. WD-40 always works, and some even say petroleum jelly or hand sanitizer is helpful. But remember to use them only in dire situations. Frequent application of these chemicals can damage the rubber.

Car lock frozen like ours? Get an extension cord (a long one) and a blow dryer , aim at the lock and you’re in! Sorry I didn’t post sooner but I’m guessing some of you may need this in the morning ! #frozen #coldsnap #belowzero ⁦@NBCNewYork⁩ pic.twitter.com/4Bf91juKkR

— Pat Battle (@PatBattle4NY) January 21, 2019

You can also pour warm water (not hot or boiling) around your door jams and on your locks to quickly melt ice. Some heating devices are also great for immediate entry. Don’t be afraid to run a power cord and use a household blow dryer if you have the time, Aceable suggests. And hard plastic items, such as credit cards, can be effective at scraping away ice without scratching your car doors.

Prevention is your best solution

Prevention is probably your best bet. If you have an opportunity to park indoors, do it. If only outdoor parking is available, consider covering your car with a tarp. Before the snow and ice hit too hard, inspect your car doors’ rubber seals and replace any damaged areas. Bonus tip: You can preserve your wipers by pulling them off the windshield before a snowstorm so that they don’t freeze to the windshield.

You can have the most aggressive snow tires or the most capable four-wheel-drive. But if you can’t open your car doors, you won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Keep these tips handy, and do your best to prepare your vehicle for snow and ice this winter.

Related

Driving With Snow on Your Car Isn’t Just Dangerous, It’s Illegal

Best in Tips, Tricks & Trends

How Are Cars Crash-Tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration?

Colorado Mechanic Buys Toolbox From Harbor Freight. 3 Months Later, It Still Hasn’t Shipped: ‘We Have Beef Harbor Freight’

Should You Buy a Car at an Auction? 6 Tips to Help You Decide

Contributing Writer Desiree Homer

Desiree Homer began contributing content to MotorBiscuit in 2018. She is a veteran in all things sales and marketing and at writing results-oriented sales copy. Her professional credentials include: 15+ years in direct Sales (local, regional and national industries), 5+ years in Television Advertising, 5+ years in Staffing and Business Development, and 3+ Years in Automotive Sales.

She began contributing to Endgame360 in 2018. She is a Jeep enthusiast at heart and spent more than three years selling cars for GM and Ford dealerships. Desiree has sold everything from high-end Cadillac models to farm-reliable pickups. She has also written for Bob Vila.

Want more news like this? Add MotorBiscuit as a preferred source on Google! Preferred sources are prioritized in Top Stories, ensuring you never miss any of our editorial team's hard work. Add as preferred source on Google Latest in Category

5 Mistakes to Avoid When You Are Pulled Over by the Police

Nearly everyone gets pulled over at some point. by Doug Sheckler Published on March 1, 2026 12:55 pm

The 4 Biggest Myths About Car Batteries Every Driver Should Know

Most people take a car's dependability for granted until it doesn't start. by Doug Sheckler Published on February 28, 2026 11:12 am

‘Science Maniac’ YouTuber Wires 400 Car Batteries Together to Melt Metals and Create a Massive Explosion

File this one under: Definitely Do Not Try This At Home. by Doug Sheckler Published on February 27, 2026 11:23 am

Did Sonic Drive-Ins Steal Their Signature Entrée From the Motor City?

Here's the truth about Detroit and the restaurant chain by Henry Cesari Published on February 26, 2026 3:30 pm