What Are the Solutions When Car Doors Freeze Shut in Snow?
2 Answers
The solutions when car doors freeze shut in snow are: 1. Pour warm water over the frozen areas; 2. Use a lighter to warm the door from a safe distance; 3. Use a hairdryer to heat the door and accelerate ice melting; 4. Apply grease to the door edges in winter; 5. Park the car indoors or in a basement. Precautions for parking in snowy weather: 1. Avoid using the handbrake; instead, engage the gear or use bricks to chock the wheels; 2. Protect the headlights and windows; 3. Do not use a car cover; 4. Lift the windshield wipers; 5. Avoid parking on surfaces prone to water accumulation; 6. Do not park under trees or billboards; 7. Stay away from temporary structures.
When the car door is frozen shut on a snowy day, I always start by using warm water to deal with it: prepare a warm water bag or thermos, making sure the temperature isn’t too high to avoid damaging the car’s paint, then slowly pour it over the ice along the door edges and wait a few minutes for it to melt. If that doesn’t work, I start the car’s engine and turn on the heating system to blow warm air toward the door—this is safer, as the heat can penetrate and dissolve the ice. Another trick is to gently pull the door handle wrapped in a soft cloth, avoiding forceful tugging to prevent damaging the seals. To prevent this from happening again, I spray a layer of WD-40 anti-freeze into the door gaps or cover them with a plastic bag before parking in winter. I also regularly check the rubber door seals for aging or cracks, as these minor issues can allow snowmelt to seep in and freeze. Replacing them early once a problem is found saves a lot of trouble. Additionally, if the door handle is frozen, try spraying it with an alcohol solution for quick thawing—no need to panic when heading out.
