We’ve all been there — you head to your car, ready to start your day, only to realize all your car doors are entirely frozen shut by ice and snow. Luckily, there are numerous methods for how to open a frozen car door. If you’re an early bird, by choice or by necessity, you can’t just wait until the sun decides to shine through the snow clouds.
The methods that we describe all involve dissolving the ice — one way or another. Especially if you live in a cold area and can’t park in a garage, frozen car doors are inevitable. Typically, layers of ice form in the space between the car door and the body of the vehicle. Along with that, the actual handle or the lock can freeze. Fortunately, there are methods and tricks to unfreeze all the commonly frozen areas of your car door.
Open A Frozen Car Door With These Methods
This article will teach you how to open a frozen car door. In it, you’ll learn the best, most reliable methods. The FAQ at the bottom will answer common questions as well as outline some prevention tips. After extensive research, we’ve concluded that multiple approaches are equally effective. So, without further ado, find out which method works best for you!
3 Methods For How To Open a Frozen Car Door
Before attempting any of these methods, without being too rough, try and break the ice up by applying pressure to the door. Doing so may cause the ice to fall off or crack enough for the door to open. If you have a car that you can start remotely, try starting the car and waiting around 20 minutes if you have the time. After that, if it still won’t budge, use one of these methods below to open up that frozen car door in no time!
Method 1: Use Warm Water
What you’ll need:
- A pitcher, bucket, or cup
- Warm water
- Towel
First and foremost, when we say warm water, we MEAN warm water. Do not use boiling water. Using boiling water could cause significant damage to your vehicle, including shattering your window.
Fill a pitcher with warm water and pour it over the frozen door. Pour on your door lock or door frame — or both if it is mostly frozen. Then, pour warm water around the seal of the door and the handle. Use the water slowly and sparingly, as you may need to repeat the process depending on how much ice is on your door. Finally, once the ice melts fully and you open the car door, dry the area with a towel to prevent it from freezing again.
Method 2: Use An Ice Scraper
What you’ll need:
- Plastic ice scraper
- Elbow grease mixed with gentleness!
Chip away the ice away using the ice scraper. Do not use anything metal to scrape the ice, as this causes damage. Instead, stick with a plastic ice scraper. Most ice scrapers come with a double-sided brush. The double-sided feature is a beautiful thing to have when clearing a windshield covered in snow. If you don’t own a plastic ice scraper, you can use another plastic item — like a spatula or old library card/credit card/etc… Once you’ve chipped away enough ice, you should be able to open the car door.
Method 3: Use De-Icing Spray Or Other Lubricant
What you’ll need:
- De-icing spray OR rubbing alcohol OR Vaseline
For this method, simply spray or apply the lubricant on the frozen area. The main areas that typically freeze include the door handle, the lock, or the door frame. Doing so will help melt the snow or ice on the vehicle. After spraying and taking a moment for the ice to melt, you should be able to open the car door.
Now You Know How To Unfreeze And Open A Frozen Car Door!
Now that you know how to open a frozen car door, you could say that you’re pretty much unstoppable. In the winter months, allow extra time to complete these methods. Keep a pitcher, a snow scraper, or de-icing spray handy for the times that you need it. Your future self will be thanking your past self. Along with knowing how to open a frozen car door, it’s essential to prepare for all car situations that the winter months can throw at you. If you often drive in the snow, having snow tires that will keep you safe during all winter driving conditions is a great idea.
