Auto expert gave advice to drivers with frozen doors and locks

Some accidents on the road can turn into serious inconveniences, especially if the car is frozen at the most inopportune moment. Alexander Kornev, head of the Department for work with importers at Gazprombank Autoleasing, told Izvestia on December 23 how to act correctly if the door or lock of the car does not open in the cold.

According to him, if the car freezes near the house, first of all it is worth using a special spray defroster for locks. Such products are sold in car shops and marketplaces, but it is better to store them at home rather than in the car.

"You can try to warm up the castle with hot water, but it will also freeze soon and may worsen the situation. In this case, it is better to pour water into a thick bag or a heating pad and attach them to the door to thaw. Use alcohol—containing liquids or saline solutions carefully, as they can damage the metal, so they should be washed off immediately at the sink," the auto expert explained.

Some drivers, Kornev added, heat the key with a lighter and insert it into the lock larva. This method may work, but it requires care not to damage the painted elements of the car.

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If the car freezes after parking away from home or on the highway, the specialist recommends that you first try to open other doors — sometimes at least one of them will give in. Owners of cars with a fifth door should try to get into the cabin through the trunk, as it freezes less often due to the design features. If all the doors are blocked by ice, you can put your palm or your own weight on the upper corner of the door frame in the rack area. The ice crust around the perimeter of the opening usually cracks, after which the door can be opened.

At the same time, the expert warns against sudden movements. Even if the lock has opened, you should not immediately pull the door towards you. First, it is better to gently press on it several times to free the opening from ice and not damage the rubber seals.

"Any problem can be solved in advance, so it's better to find a covered parking lot for the car, at least in winter. At the same time, consider installing a pre-heater or a timer start system. Take a preventive look at all door seals, hood and trunk seals with silicone grease. And do this after every wash," the specialist concluded.

On December 4, Kornev shared how to properly wash a car in winter so as not to harm it. Make it a rule to visit the car wash once a week or two, but at least. Neglected stalactites made of chemicals and sand are more difficult to wash out of hard-to-reach places, especially since they actively spoil the body all this time. It is also recommended to choose warm boxes or wash the car at a positive temperature, and after the procedure it is necessary to purge the locks, handles, mirrors and seals so that they do not freeze.

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