Have you ever tried to open your car or truck door when it’s really cold outside and it was frozen shut? If you said yes, this video is for you. It’s a simple, low cost, procedure that can save you from fighting with a frozen door. I won’t lie, this has been a long standing recommendation from my viewers and today I decided to make a video about the process. If you have anything to add, feel free to join in the discussion over at EricTheCarGuy.com, or leave a comment below.
Here’s some useful links for you.
Winterizing Your Vehicle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iEMV3ao5Yk
Silicone Spray: http://www.jbtoolsales.com/permatex-80070-silicone-spray-lubricant-each/#oid=1002_1
Discussion about this video: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/kunena/18-The-EricTheCarGuy-Video-Forum/49322-how-to-keep-your-doors-from-freezing-shut#86897
The best place for answers to your automotive questions: http://www.ericthecarguy.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EricTheCarGuy?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricTheCarGuy
Google+: https://plus.google.com/100195180196698058780/posts
Information on Premium Membership: https://www.ericthecarguy.com/premium-content-streaming-etcg-content
Stay Dirty
ETCG
Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information.  EricTheCarGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. EricTheCarGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video.  Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not EricTheCarGuy.
Let's say, you were too dumb to do this, and your car door is frozen?
Thanks for the video Eric ðŸ‘Â🇺🇸
Can I use WD40. Love your videos
Yeah
I tried WD-40 myself
Didn't do squat.
Will definitely be trying this and trying not to get caught off guard by the weird as* winter weather here anymore.
can you show me in person? I think I need some hands on instruction 🙂
Does this spray work on frozen windows so it's easier to roll down after a night of frost?
Those seals are called Weather strips
Appreciate this, had a co worker suggest. Already bought the Silicone Spray but can never catch up with him. But additional questions I have will go to your website or Facebook. Sure wish I could ask here. Will check other's comments & maybe the answers are already posted ! Thanks again Eric the Car Guy. Only wish I'd done the treatment awhile back. Just had all 4 frozen doors after work (vert early AM), snowed & icy weather temps. Was blessed to get driver door open so I could at least get engine warmed up to ready the defroster. But felt uncomfortable pulling on door handle !
what about the door locks cuz i find my infiniti does that when it gets -15 i unlock it with the remot and go to pull on the handle and nothing but then if in let the car run with heaters full blast for 30 minute it will finaly open can i put that litium grease in the door lock or does anybody have a good trick ?
How long will this remedy last before you need to reapply the silicone again? Just wondering.
Silly question what is it called in Uk?
Thanks so much for the advice
you are drunk in this video:)
As usual, your awesome, I’m in Edmonton Alberta Canada, first time with this problem, now a quick fix
I used to buy wrecked cars when I was in my 20s, rebuilt and repainted. I cringe seeing this because if anyone has to paint those areas it'll fish-eye when you paint unless you really wipe it down with different solvents.
But I will admit I do this silicone trick now in my 50s living in Oregon, not fixing bodywork anymore.
Thanks
Spray it on your rag and then wipe it on.
if you would like a shit-ton of views, find someone with a tesla model 3 and make the same video but with the windows. to get in the car, the windows need to go down about half an inch to clear the window trim. i was frozen out of my car a few days ago and ended up here.
Your Awesome.
I already did this twice this year, but my doors are still freezing shut on my BMW e34… Any tips? Also my door lock keeps freezing all the time.
Silicone spray works but is not the best answer, use a white cloth or paper towel to apply the silicone spray, if the white towel or paper towel turns black that means you are ruining the rubber seals, the best method is get a can of beeswax ( beeswax is a harder type of wax) and using a cloth wipe a very thin layer of beeswax onto the painted area where the rubber seal contacts the painted metal.
Thank you Eric. I have a 4-door car and you'd think ONE of them would open in the winter, but guess what? They don't. A friend of mine also told me to use the silicone spray so that is what I am going to do.
I was wondering if anyone else has ever had a problem with the latch mechanism ever freezing open, as if you were holding the handle open? also, is there anything short of removing the inner panel to get to the linkages and get them unstuck? the door will open then won't stay closed when you shut it even though it closes all the way. It just bounces back open, and I have to hold the door closed while driving until the door warms up enough that the handle linkages will reset and let the latch stay latched and the door stay shut.
I have a 2011 Silverado and a 2002 VW Golf and the problem with this newer crap is that the door handles are really flimsy. If you tug on the damn things too hard you''l break them right off!! Enter W-40!!!
will pb blaster work too ?
Will that work for a glass sliding door (in the house)?
silicon spray should work in door locks too hey?
Can't you just spray it on the rag, and then wipe?
Great show. It was very informative. Thanks!
Good one Eric! I knew about this, bought a brand new 2015 Regal Turbo, and got frozen out of three doors! You would think the car manufacturers could charge an extra $1.00 and do this off the assembly line. I did EVERYTHING: Trunk, hood…….. LOL
Don't forget to squirt the key hole and the working parts of the exterior handle.
How much doors can you do with around 1 400ml can of spray?
@EricTheCarGuy Can I do this on a frameless car door? If so where should I spray it? I just recently got a coupe that has frameless doors and whenever I Open or close the door the window drops a few centimeters to prevent damage occuring on the glass, because of this should I also spray somewhere along the window sides and prevent them from freezing?
How often should you apply this?
will this work on the handles as well?
Silicone is bad for paint!
If you go to paint the car it will not take
I like this tip.
Also, silicone helps recondition the rubber and delay their inevitable cracking by a good number of years. So if you live in a very sunny area, the silicone treatment will allow the weather seals to last longer than your paint… so that you won't experience a surprise leak during a sudden onset of rain.
This is also great for keeping those seals, and any other soft rubbery parts, fresh like new.  Caution: Test your silicone by spraying it into a styrofoam cup first.  If it eats the cup, do not spray directly on the part.  Spray on the rag and wipe onto the part.  Just because the last can you bought passes the cup test does not mean the next one will.  Just like with motor oil, or anything else, the maker can change the ingredients at any time.
WD40 works too..water displacement 40ÂÂ
Wish i watched this before i ripped my door handle off. lol
auto body mans nightmare but thanks for the tip
Pretty sure the car in the background is a late 70's (1979) to Early 80's(1983) Ford Zephyr. My mother in Law had one & in the same color as well. Could get up to a 255ci or even a 302ci V8 in these little can't-judge-a-book-by-it's-cover cars!
This is why I love checking in on your videos! Must subscribe for everyone that wants to learn even the smallest tricks of the trade! Stay dirty! Get some rest Eric!
The way I keep my doors from freezing is by moving from Chicago to San Diego. Doors haven't frozen since.
Like that Ford in the background. What is it?
You can use alcohol to prevent locks and latches from freezing as well, but it's inadvisable to use it on the stripping and seals as it will dry it out and cause it to crack and wear prematurely.