Winter has arrived, and with it the cold weather that will play havoc on your car’s lock and key mechanisms. Have you ever been left stranded outside your car with a jammed-up lock or dead key fob? Winter car care is essential to keep your car operational and secure during the winter months. To avoid all these annoying predicaments, a few tips in winter lock maintenance are necessary for safeguarding the locks and keys of your automobile.
How to Protect Your Car Locks from Ice
Winter is the season of snow, ice, and below-freezing temperatures, and these conditions will freeze your car locks. Here’s how to guard against them:
- Use a Lock De-icer: Spray a small bit of lock de-icer mist into the keyhole. What this does is it melts any ice that may have accumulated within the lock and prevents the formation of ice again.
- Apply Anti-freeze Lubricants: To prevent water from freezing, use anti-freeze lubricants designed especially for automobile locks. This provides long-lasting car lock protection and guarantees that your locks will continue to operate effectively even in below-freezing temperatures.
- Cover Your Locks: Invest in lock covers to shield your locks from snow and ice. This can protect your locks from damage during cold winters by preventing ice from building up on the lock mechanism.
Cleaning Car Locks
Cleaning frozen locks on a regular basis will help keep dirt, debris, and ice from building up. Observe these steps:
- Use Compressed Air: To remove any dirt or debris from the keyhole, use compressed air. By doing this, blockage or jamming will be avoided.
- Wipe with a Soft Cloth: Use a soft, clean cloth to wipe your keyholes often to remove moisture and dirt.
- Use a Gentle Cleaner: If necessary, use a gentle cleaner to wipe away any sticky residue or dirt from the lock surface. This keeps your car locks in top condition during the winter season.
Battery Life of Remote Car Keys
During winter, the weather can also drain the remote key fob battery. The battery will drain faster in cold temperatures, and you will be left with a non-working key fob and some winter car key problems.
- Check Battery Regularly: Prior to the winter months, inspect your key fob battery and change it if necessary to prevent winter car key probelms when you will need your vehicle the most.
- Keep the Key Fob Warm: Place your remote key fob in a warm location, like your coat pocket, to prolong its key fob longevity.
- Test the Fob Frequently: Test the key fob regularly to confirm it’s in good working order before you leave for cold weather, preventing any winter car key problems when you most need it.
How Often to Lubricate Your Car Locks in Winter
Regular lubrication of your car locks is necessary for optimal performance throughout the winter. The following is something you should know:
- Lubricate Monthly: Use lubricating car locks to lubricate your locks once a month during the winter. This prevents freezing and maintains correct operation of the interior moving parts. For car lock protection, regular maintenance is necessary.
- Use Appropriate Lubricant: To prevent gathering moisture and dirt that could lead to malfunctions, use an anti-freeze lubricant or a lubricant based on graphite.
- Avoid Oil-Based Products: Never use oil-based lubricants since they freeze or attract dirt and debris, which can make your locks malfunction and result in possible winter car key problems.
For additional winter car care advice, check out the associated information on how to avoid car lockouts and what to do if your car key fob stops working.