... or your locks from freezing

This Wonder Lake winter hasn’t been so terribly cold yet. Of course, ‘yet’ is the operative word. Who would like to lay a wager that we won’t see sub-zero weather this winter? Few would even consider such a bet as it’s all but inevitable that the temperatures will fall below that mark – not below freezing (we’ve already done that plenty) but below zero.

When the temperature falls that far, some Wonder Lake drivers will find that their car doors are frozen shut and/or the locks are frozen. It’s a pain in the neck. You’re already bitterly cold and now you’re standing outside buffeted by the frigid wind.

You grab hold of the car handle and pull but it doesn’t budge. You grab it with both hands and still it doesn’t budge. That’s not good. Even worse is when you pull real hard and the door does open but only because the rubber weather stripping has come loose or torn.

You can’t control the weather but you can reduce the risk that your doors will freeze shut.

To avoid frozen locks …

• There are specific sprays and solvents that melt the frozen moisture that keeps locks from opening and lubricate the lock at the same time. 
• You can also wipe the key with rubbing oil that can help melt the frozen moisture.
• Other ideas include using a hairdryer to heat the lock or warming the key with a lighter.

To avoid doors freezing shut …

Wipe the door frame and rubber clean
Rub the rubber and door frame with a rubber conditioner, silicone spray or WD40

Some people suggest that you don’t lock your car as a way of keeping the locks from freezing. Unfortunately, this assumes you don’t have to worry about someone breaking into or stealing your car. Wonder Lake is a great place to live but you still can’t assume there aren’t any car thieves to worry about.