"joemcm" (JoeMcMullen)
01/06/2014 at 17:04 • Filed to: How NOT To
1
20|
"joemcm" (JoeMcMullen)
01/06/2014 at 17:04 • Filed to: How NOT To | 1
| 20 |
So it's been an adventurous day so far for the Civic and me, I thought I'd recap what's transpired via this convenient guide.
Do not try to use boiling water when it's a whopping 1° with a -20° windchill. The water will freeze almost immediately and worsen the problem.
Do not continue to do this three more times, even after seeing how quickly ice was forming by using various household items, including a turkey baster. All that's going to accomplish is making you very cold.
Do not heat up the key with a lighter, run outside and try to melt the ice inside the lock with your hot key. That shit doesn't work. You'll only slip and fall on the ice that has formed beside your car from your attempts to dump boiling water on it.
Do not decide it will be a good idea to take said key and turn it as hard as you can in the key hole. That key is now really weak because it went from scalding hot to freezing, repeatedly, in a short time span. It will break in the hole, presenting a whole new problem to solve. Yayyyy!
Note: My car only has a working exterior key hole on the driver's side and it's a coupe. So my options were limited to get in the driver's door or break a window.
If you've taken the time to read this and are thinking that I'm an idiot, that's fair, but it is worth noting these are the coldest temperatures I've ever seen. My locks freeze a lot, but the boiling water always does the trick since it's usually around 20° when this happens to me. Little did I know, when it's fucking 1° and windy, the process of freezing is sped up... a lot. Of course, this being Central Kentucky, there's not even any snow or ice to speak of. Yesterday it was 55° at 4:00. Today it was 3°.
It's colder than shit across the United States at the moment, so if any of you are in similarly ridiculous conditions, don't make the same mistakes I did and drive safe, if you can get into your car.
(Photo From Google: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! )
EL_ULY
> joemcm
01/06/2014 at 17:06 |
|
didn't know this was a thing that happened
-the boy that has never seen snow :]
|
joemcm
> EL_ULY
01/06/2014 at 17:07 |
|
Wow, that's actually wild you've never seen snow. Sledding is actually really fun, I recommend it. But yeah, this lock freezing business has plagued me since I bought a car. I've always had to park outside so it's a struggle.
MonkeePuzzle
> joemcm
01/06/2014 at 17:12 |
|
suck!
they all seemed like valid things to try. And not regardless of what you do you still have a broken key in there!
ddavidn
> joemcm
01/06/2014 at 17:14 |
|
I use hand sanitizer on the key, or a stronger de-icing spray.
|
EL_ULY
> joemcm
01/06/2014 at 17:17 |
|
I'll keep that in mind about the locks. Learn something everyday :] Oh, and I guess sledding on the beach while holding a rope tied to a truck hauling ass probably doesn't count as real sledding lol :]
crashonice
> joemcm
01/06/2014 at 17:20 |
|
About $3 at Wal Mart/Ace/etc., works like a charm.
Zoom
> joemcm
01/06/2014 at 17:26 |
|
Use a graphite based lube with a straw, just a shot, preferrably after any wash. It dissipates any moisture immediately, and doesn't attract dirt and dust like some petroleum based solvents do.
I have used heat riser valve control solvent for years, but idk if you can still buy it.
fyi, wet type silicone spray on weatherstrips keeps them from icing and sticking to your door frames.
|
joemcm
> MonkeePuzzle
01/06/2014 at 17:30 |
|
Somehow, in spite of all my failures today, I managed to get that fucking key out lol. Still can't get in the car though.
|
joemcm
> ddavidn
01/06/2014 at 17:33 |
|
Hmmmmmm... alcohol is a good idea! I've been trying veggie spray in the hole.
desertdog5051
> joemcm
01/06/2014 at 17:46 |
|
Take a room temp. can of WD-40 and spray in the lock/tumbler. I generally melts the ice the first time and leaves a coating of lube. Worked for me in the past.
|
MonkeePuzzle
> joemcm
01/06/2014 at 17:49 |
|
:)
:(
rotundapig
> joemcm
01/06/2014 at 17:51 |
|
I had the same issue with my subaru where it was -4F. Luckily, its such a huge POS that I don't lock the doors, so I just had to deal with the ignition. Also lucky that my method of using a MAP gas torch didn't go as poorly as your water method.
Drsweetdik
> joemcm
01/06/2014 at 18:07 |
|
Ummm Kentucky? Moonshine, or at the very least, Jack Daniels, or Isopropyl if you are so inclined.
jvirgs drives a Subaru
> joemcm
01/06/2014 at 19:37 |
|
Its even worse when your doors are frozen shut. Its a little easier to pry your doors open but still a pain in the ass...
Firewrx234
> joemcm
01/06/2014 at 19:59 |
|
Good news for me: key locks not frozen
Bad news: entire door frames and latches are frozen shut with no way of accessing them...
LSXforYourSuperCar
> crashonice
01/06/2014 at 21:07 |
|
I experienced frozen locks for the very first time yesterday, at a Wal Mart. This stuff is like miracle snake oil, use it sparingly or if you can, hold a rag or some napkins under the lock to catch the runoff 'cause this stuff can really screw up your paint.
|
joemcm
> crashonice
01/07/2014 at 01:18 |
|
Walmart was out but I got in, pretty long story though haha.
|
joemcm
> Drsweetdik
01/07/2014 at 01:18 |
|
Jack Daniels doesn't exist here.
|
joemcm
> jvirgs drives a Subaru
01/07/2014 at 01:19 |
|
Turned out my doors were fuckin frozen too. It was nuts.
|
Drsweetdik
> joemcm
01/07/2014 at 09:31 |
|
Well, there's your trouble!