Automobiles are without a doubt one of the greatest inventions of the last five hundred years. They have easily ushered in the modern age that is clearly defined by the time before and after the car was introduced to the general populace. It’s a true blessing to be able to go to work and go about one’s daily obligations via car. This is why, once you get used to it, it almost feels like you are handicapped when you suddenly don’t have access to a car anymore. Whether your lock malfunctions or the vehicle is stolen, the origin of the problem is probably the same – car door lock maintenance is one of the essentials of vehicular upkeep.
Don’t treat your car like a tool
A car’s primary advantage lies in its practical utility, but it is not a tool and it should not be treated as such. To put it simply, even the most basic type of car is too sophisticated of a machine to be used bluntly and without a passing thought. Without proper maintenance, your car door lock will get worn over time until one day it simply stops working. It is just matter of time. Keep in mind the fact that every turn of the lock slowly influences its functionality and quality.
Don’t let the rain ruin it
Weather, especially humidity, has an especially detrimental influence on the lock. Remember – it’s a tight cranny made of several moving parts made of metal alloy. Even the stainless material is influenced by excessive humidity as well as erratic fluctuations of heat and cold. If the car is left outside during a season that is rife with rainfall, no matter how fast you run to the car or pull the key out of your pocket, it is bound to get wet. Pushing a wet key into the car door lock quickens its deterioration by a significant margin. This is why it is so important to own a garage – a space where you can comfortably tuck away your car.
The key itself can be a problem
However, the problem with unlocking the car door does not always lie with the lock. A key gets scratched, chipped and deformed over time, which means that it gets less and less functional. Furthermore, forcing a damaged key into the lock will work for only a limited amount of time before the lock itself is damaged too much.
This is why you should always own a well-kept duplicate of the car key and keep it somewhere safe until the original is damaged too much. If you haven’t made the duplicate yet, you can contact the reliable emergency car key locksmith to get one copy or more in a jiffy. The duplicates are also quite useful if by any chance you cannot find the original key and you are caught between a rock and a hard place with your obligations.
You can maintain it yourself
The DIY approach is absolutely viable when it comes to taking care of your car door lock. In fact, because people tend to get attached to their vehicle, they often prefer to do it themselves. You can purchase the appropriate car cleaning liquid in your local utility store or from a retailer who deals in this specific field. Remember – never clean it with a cloth soaked in water. These dedicated detergents are created with this sole function in mind, but be careful not to overdo it as they can corrode the lock if you use too much.
The lock should also be lubricated at least once a year, so you can also purchase a graphite-based lubricant, spray it on the car door lock and use the key a few times before you wipe it off. That should do the trick.
None of us want to end up in one of those unpleasantly surprising situations – to wake up in the morning and get ready for a day full of obligations only to find out that the car door lock won’t respond no matter what you do. In order to avoid such excruciating but perfectly possible situations, make sure to maintain your car at least once every six months. The problems will be ameliorated in time and you won’t have to spend a fortune on repairs or a brand new car.
