Categories: ServiceTips & Tricks

How to Keep Car Doors from Freezing Shut in Winter

Our vehicles just don’t love cold weather. Sure, you might have snow tires and seat warmers and all the other added features to make your winter driving more convenient and reliable, but there’s nothing worse than having to scrape your car and unstick frozen doors when you’re ready to leave. It’s a hassle, but the good news is that there’s something you can do to solve your frozen door issues this winter.

How to Prevent Frozen Car Doors This Winter

Step 1: Inspect Your Doors

There is a gasket that forms the seal between your door and the frame of your vehicle. If it is worn or torn, you’ll find that water can get between the two and will freeze when the temperatures drop. This will seal your door to the frame of your car, and can make it nearly impossible to get it open.

Step 2: Clean the Door Frame

Even if your gasket looks good, there is a chance that dirt and debris can get in the way of it sealing out the water. Take a microfiber cloth and some warm water to clean off the gasket all the way around.

Step 3: Lube the Gasket

There are certain types of rubber-safe lubricants you can buy that will help to keep the gasket in good shape. A dry gasket will crack and leak easier, so keeping it lubricated will help to ensure your doors don’t freeze shut. Check out a silicone spray or general rubber conditioner.

Step 4: Cover It Up

If you don’t have a garage to keep your car in, the next best thing you can do is to cover the car or the door you need to be able to get into. You can use a cover or a tarp to keep snow and rain off the door when the temperatures drop below zero.