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I've heard petroleum jelly can help prevent frozen door locks, I've used lock de icer but wanted to try something to prevent the freezing in the first place. My 2011 silverado always gets frozen door locks.
Vasoline safe for car door locks?
- Thread starter Corollaman
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AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2026
I don’t think I’d stick anything like that near or in a lock. Just doesn’t seem like a good idea.
In my opinion, any grease like lube can hold metal chips/dust and eventually jam up the lock. I like powdered dry lube like this.
https://www.amazon.com/Super-Lube-11006-Aerosols-Dri-Film/dp/B00L3HIMEA/ref=sr_1_3
https://www.amazon.com/Super-Lube-11006-Aerosols-Dri-Film/dp/B00L3HIMEA/ref=sr_1_3
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seems like it would turn into really thick crap and gunk it up to me..
tri-flow spray is good or Houdini
graphite is ok but it will cozy up with anything else in the lock (other lubes etc) and eventually turn into a pasty mess that can be worse than nothing.
tri-flow spray is good or Houdini
graphite is ok but it will cozy up with anything else in the lock (other lubes etc) and eventually turn into a pasty mess that can be worse than nothing.
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What getting frozen, the key hole or the moving lock parts ?
Don't put grease in the lock unless you have a way to remove it.
What about heating the key with a match and inserting into lock.
Don't put grease in the lock unless you have a way to remove it.
What about heating the key with a match and inserting into lock.
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Nope. Base model work truck. Manual locks and windows, rubber floor, etc. First vehicle I've ever had frozen lock issues.
https://www.amazon.com/HOUD1-Houdini-Lock-Lube/dp/B00C5JFKKE/ref=sr_1_1_sspa
Houdini lock lube is really great stuff. It makes locks work better than brand new.
Houdini lock lube is really great stuff. It makes locks work better than brand new.
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Vasoline has no benefit over any petroleum based grease of the same viscosity, and that viscosity is too thick for winter lock mechanism use. Spray some WD-40 in, work the key in and out a few times, let it sit a minute, then spray a lot more in. Wait an hour or so, then spray in a "little" light oil. The warmer the ambient temp, the better this will work. I'd do it in a heated garage one vehicle is up to garage temp or use a hairdryer to gently heat it.
It is probably too late for a dry lube, unless you want to pull the lock cylinder out and completely clean it with a solvent first. This is the most thorough way to do it regardless of whether you settle for dry lube or light oil. If you just want to take a shot switching to dry lube without removing it, try some brake cleaner to flush it out, again a squirt, work the key, wait a minute, then more, let it completely dry before the dry lube. I'd wait a day.
If you don't get all the wet lube out, the dry lube is just going to make a gummy mess inside. Light oil is superior for aged, outdoor lock cylinders that have a hatch to keep dust out.
It is probably too late for a dry lube, unless you want to pull the lock cylinder out and completely clean it with a solvent first. This is the most thorough way to do it regardless of whether you settle for dry lube or light oil. If you just want to take a shot switching to dry lube without removing it, try some brake cleaner to flush it out, again a squirt, work the key, wait a minute, then more, let it completely dry before the dry lube. I'd wait a day.
If you don't get all the wet lube out, the dry lube is just going to make a gummy mess inside. Light oil is superior for aged, outdoor lock cylinders that have a hatch to keep dust out.
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Before you do anything. Spray with brake cleaner real good. Let dry or blow air in the lock. Then I would use spray silicone. Has always worked for me.
No it's not. Most locksmiths warn against ANY dry graphite lube. It turns to thick gunky crap from rain, humidity, and repeated car washings. Especially from high pressure rinses from automated car washes. Most every locksmith I've ever dealt with uses this. Most wouldn't go on a service call without at least one can of it.
https://www.amazon.com/HOUD1-Houdini-Lock-Lube/dp/B00C5JFKKE
"Eventually, the graphite itself (combined with any dust that may have accumulated in that time) starts to cause the problem and leads to the lock no longer turning easily. Since most people won’t know to take apart and clean their locks, it’s a big issue.
Also, graphite will adhere to and absorb nearly any liquid. If someone shoots a liquid lubricant into the lock, that has existing graphite in it, the graphite will work against it and gunk up the lock parts.
For these reasons, most locksmiths won’t recommend graphite for locks, although it’s still used by some tradesmen.
Houdini is another lock lubricant that is very popular with locksmith.
https://www.acmelocksmith.com/blog/best-lock-lubricants/
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