Frozen Mornings

[Mike E]

I went to leave the house this morning and jump into the car but the doors would not open and they appeared to be frozen shut.
It had only been -2°C over night in my area - so I assume others on here have had much colder starts.
I hadn't attempted to preheat the car as I was running a little late.
My daughter came out of the house after me and jumped into her car and shot off - laughing as she went.

I turned on the cabin heating and waited about 5 mins - then the doors opened.
It seems odd that only -2°C could cause this - has anyone else had the same issue - or worse?

 

[WillowPAW]

I went to leave the house this morning and jump into the car but the doors would not open and they appeared to be frozen shut.
It had only been -2c over night in my area - so I assume others on here have had much colder starts.
I hadn't attempted to preheat the car as I was running a little late.
My daughter came out of the house after me and jumped into her car and shot off - laughing as she went.

I turned on the cabin heating and waited about 5 mins - then the doors opened.
It seems odd that only -2c could cause this - has anyone else had the same issue - or worse?

Same! Gotta remember to turn on Climate Control in advance. Had issue other morning of App not connecting from house, thankfully App would work whilst right next to car, so able to pre-warm and defrost, but had to wait whilst it was doing that.

 

[salty]

I went to leave the house this morning and jump into the car but the doors would not open and they appeared to be frozen shut.
It had only been -2c over night in my area - so I assume others on here have had much colder starts.
I hadn't attempted to preheat the car as I was running a little late.
My daughter came out of the house after me and jumped into her car and shot off - laughing as she went.

I turned on the cabin heating and waited about 5 mins - then the doors opened.
It seems odd that only -2c could cause this - has anyone else had the same issue - or worse?

Was the car wet? I've known sharp frosts when the cars been dry. And they opened no problem. But if the car is wet, and you then get a sharp frost, it seems much worse, e.g. doors won't open. Just a thought.

 

[Mike E]

Was the car wet? I've known sharp frosts when the cars been dry. And they opened no problem. But if the car is wet, and you then get a sharp frost, it seems much worse, e.g. doors won't open. Just a thought.

I think you have hit the nail on the head.
Yesterday had been wet followed by the mild freeze.
This morning it was -4c and no problem opening at all.

I will just plan ahead when wet+cold ...

 

[Anon70]

More of an issue with soft tops and frameless windows, as moisture can get between the glass and the rubber door seal so any temp below freezing will act like glue. Maybe try any of the rubber protection products like Gummi Pfledge to help the glass from sticking.

 

[salty]

More of an issue with soft tops and frameless windows, as moisture can get between the glass and the rubber door seal so any temp below freezing will act like glue. Maybe try any of the rubber protection products like Gummi Pfledge to help the glass from sticking.

Agree. My Mercedes E class coupes windows sometimes wouldn't drop, when really cold and particularly when the car was wet, beforehand. So presumably soft tops are the same. Tepid water sorted it in Seconds, though.

 

[charlie bravo]

Same! Gotta remember to turn on Climate Control in advance. Had issue other morning of App not connecting from house, thankfully App would work whilst right next to car, so able to pre-warm and defrost, but had to wait whilst it was doing that.

Spray WD40 on rubber seals.

 

[Jackolino]

Spray WD40 on rubber seals.

Please not never ever!
There are excellent rubber care products that are good for the rubber and don't smell so unpleasant. You can get these products in any car accessory shop or on the Internet for little money, but with much better properties.