Door Key Lock Drum Frozen In The Nippy Cold (Below Freezing Temperature)

[Oka]

Maybe it's just my car. In the cold, I cannot use the key to unlock the door.
It is frozen inside the key drum. Luckily, I have always used the remote fob.
I had sprayed some key lock de-icer enough, buy still, three days later, I
tried the key, the inside seem 'frozen'.

Thanks.

[pbierre]

Have you tried heating it up with a hair dryer? Hopefully, it's just iced up.

[Oka]

I have used a 'hot' key (an old key for a different car, no chip, just plain steel key), which melted any frozen thing in there, put the OEM key in, and it opened up right away. Latter, I prayed the auto lock de-icer, and latter that day, I can unlock the door with the key. Now, few days latter, and nippy cold here, at below freezing, I cannot use the OEM key anymore, the drum is froozen in.

Thanks.

[sjonnie]

You need to bring the car inside to thaw it out then spray some WD40 inside there to get the water out of the mechanism. Once it's working again lubricate with a Teflon spray.

[Iroll_]

I've had great luck with moly disolfide grease and lithium grease. Both are a bit sturdy, but resist grime and road build up well.

[MacNoob]

I wouldn't use anything like a grease that leaves a residue, it attracts dirt and long term will leave it gummed up (but at least not frozen)