Frozen Lock

vet111s · Post by **vet111s** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 10:20 pm

anyone got any bright ideas to avoid lock freezing solid in this weather. At the first sign of frost I can't even get the key in and once I can the thing won't turn. Tried GT85 the night before but to no avail. At the mo it's a 20ml syringe with hot water every morning. There must be an easier way?

Cheers

Michael · Post by **Michael** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 1:14 am

Youd be amazed at the effect of 37 deg C breath does!! Try it...youl look like a prat getting off with his car but it works fast!!!

Cup your hands around the lock and blow hard!! The metal conducts the heat to the internals.

Cant decide which is least cool..this or your syringe!!!

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 9:17 am

A squirt of WD 40 when it's defrosted will drive out the water (WD=Water Dispersant) but it wont last long as it evaporates and I would be reluctant to use anything thicker in the lock in case it got full of grit and wore the lock away inside.

james · Post by **james** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 10:56 pm

Icy locks have been a real pain the last 2 mornings. Had to get an extension cable and the wifes hair dryer out to warm the lock before I could get in the car both mornings now.

No wonder the neighbours dont speak to me much.

Alan · Post by **Alan** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 12:39 am

Do Elise not have central locking?

james · Post by **james** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 2:49 pm

Alan wrote:Do Elise not have central locking?

Yes of course. When you unlock and open one door, then reach in and pull the other door handle - both doors are then accessable. Just like any other car (from the 70's)

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 3:14 pm

Michael wrote:Youd be amazed at the effect of 37 deg C breath does!! Try it...youl look like a prat getting off with his car but it works fast!!!

Cup your hands around the lock and blow hard!! The metal conducts the heat to the internals.

Cant decide which is least cool..this or your syringe!!!

Don't forget to cup your hands round the lock... . I have visions of Liz drivers with their lips frozen onto the car... or even tongue frozen to lock... like the scene in Dumb & Dumber with the ski lift

thinfourth · Post by **thinfourth** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 4:56 pm

Dominic wrote:
Michael wrote:Youd be amazed at the effect of 37 deg C breath does!! Try it...youl look like a prat getting off with his car but it works fast!!!

Cup your hands around the lock and blow hard!! The metal conducts the heat to the internals.

Cant decide which is least cool..this or your syringe!!!
Don't forget to cup your hands round the lock... . I have visions of Liz drivers with their lips frozen onto the car... or even tongue frozen to lock... like the scene in Dumb & Dumber with the ski lift

Spoilsport i was waiting for someone to do that

Michael · Post by **Michael** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 6:01 pm

Or if you want the real experience, then thaw out the surrounding body work first and then you can get your lips and tongue and all sorts in there for you real lotus afficionados...

Post by **simon** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 8:00 pm

I believe graphite lubricants are best for the locks, try looking on seloc as it's been mentioned there a few times IIRC.

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 8:44 pm

Just remembered what I used to do;

Put enough hot water (near boiling) in a mug to submerge the metal part of your key in. Leave it sitting in it while you put your jacket & hat on, then take the mug, along with a tissue out to the car. When you get to the car, remove the key from the water, dry with tissue (no point in introducing more water to the lock) and insert key, and wiggle it till it frees the lock. The key may require one or two momentary re-heats & dryings, but I found this was the most effective & quickest method. Better than my previous system using extention cable & Louise's hair drier. Don't forget to take the Mug home at night

P.S. Will hot breath onto / into lock not introduce more moisture?

Michael · Post by **Michael** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 8:52 pm

Or carry a cig lighter with you to heat the key!!

Did that one winter until i thought of the breath thing.

james · Post by **james** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 10:50 pm

What about a battery powered hair dryer, that should do the trick

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 11:48 pm

james wrote:What about a battery powered hair dryer, that should do the trick

Only of use if you own an S2 as you'll have one handy!

Michael · Post by **Michael** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 12:23 am

or you could use one from the 12v output socket in the car....