How shall you be dealing with frozen locks?

[oldbugger]

I know all the modern cars have remote locking and my 1999 Rover 820i does however my old 1994 Peugeot 405 1.9TD doesn't (well, does but hasn't worked since 2003) and my wife's 1991 Rover 827 SLi doesn't either.

It hasn't happened yet but it is only a matter of time before the wife or I go out and the door won't unlock due to a frozen lock barrel.

How will you be solving this?

I believe you can get a "key" which defrosts it but my method is to simply hold my Zippo lighter close to it whilst being careful to not burn the paint.

The wife's method is to just stand there and keep trying it whilst cursing frequently until it gives in and turns

[BennyVitesse]

Even with remote locking theres a chance it could fail, remember its still got to physically unlock the mechanism.

Why not use the lighter on the key itself!

[Very Tall Brad]

Don't use the locks.

[oldbugger]

I never used to but even in a village I feel the need to these days - sad isn't it?

[BennyVitesse]

and where would one stand Brad if the car was then stolen? Would you pay out?

[oldbugger]

It wouldn't matter, one could simply state they did lock it and nobody would be none the wiser, of course, that is ILLEGAL and I would NEVER do that...

[BennyVitesse]

I heard a story once where the car thief, said under police caution that the car was unlocked and the police, ever helpful, forwarded a copy of the statement to the victims insurance company.

[Very Tall Brad]

I never lock my cars. I do pretend to lock them, though. Locks, alarms and immobilisers have been a right pain over the years. Just never leave anything on show, of course, and take valuables with you.

If Mr Crook wants your car, he'll get it. If he wants the radio, he'll get it - but may break the glass or bend the door in doing so. Leaving the car unlocked avoids a lot of broken glass.

One last point. I do live in a 'nice' place where crime is very low but the car is unlocked wherever I go - and I go to some pretty tough spots.

[Very Tall Brad]

I heard a story once where the car thief, said under police caution that the car was unlocked and the police, ever helpful, forwarded a copy of the statement to the victims insurance company.

You worry too much

[BennyVitesse]

You're probably right.

[oldbugger]

Well you have a point Brad but being the senile old git I am I am always leaving my wallet and things in the car which has a lot of money in it so better safe(er) than sorry.

[Richard Moss]

My Jaguar XJ6 had a nice heated lock function - hold the door handle up for a few seconds and power goes to heater coils wrapped around the lock. hey presto, locks clear. The biggest problem is when the door freezes to the rubber and then you can break the door handle pulling it open. Of course, this is only a problem with silly, modern, plastic door handles - my 43 year old MGC is still on its original metal handles.

[MikeMedford]

I usually heat the key up with a lighter before inserting if I need to use the key.

[Lord Sterling]

WD40 sprayed into lock barrel.

[TheVDM]

I have never had any issues with locks freezing up yet, the remote locking only works on the kia if you use a screwdriver to press the button so I tend not to bother and just use the key.

I have managed to leave my car unlocked a few times for a 9 hour day with my wallet in it on display in the carpark at work (the very busy Tesco in Whitstable) and nothing has ever come of it, I always park in the far corners of the carpark too. I find that driving an old car is good for car crime, I suppose people just assume an old car wont have anything worth taking in it.

I think the WD40 in the barrel before it freezes sounds like a good idea, or if you don't like your paint antifreeze would probably work too!