Preventing frozen door latch/locks

[g3org3y]

With the recent cold weather, been having some issues with the door latches/locks freezing on the X5 (E70).

Door will open but then cannot close (as the latch won't reset because presumably frozen). You can feel there's no 'tension' on pulling the handle open.

With hot water it'll thaw out after some time and then everything back to normal.

Over the weekend when it first happened, I sprayed the latch mechanism (and into the handle itself) with both WD40 and silicon spray (also did silicon spray on the door seals too) in the hope it'd prevent the issue from recurring, but unfortunately, happened again this morning.

Anyone got any cunning strategies to prevent this happening? I never have this issue with either the 330i or 630i, only the X5.

[Baldchap]

Actual graphite lock lubricant is your friend. Silicone/WD40 can cause grit and dirt to stick and build up in the lock.

[sortedcossie]

We had it with a Ford Focus (2012 one) but never found a way of stopping it. Tried a number of water repellent lubricants with no success.

[Lotobear]

Back when we used to have winters we sometimes had to piss on the locks in the morning to thaw them out

[anonymous-user]

Lotobear said:

we sometimes had to piss on the locks in the morning

...as the three bears looked on, aghast.

[Tommo87]

Exasperated said:

Lotobear said:

we sometimes had to piss on the locks in the morning

...as the three bears looked on, aghast.

They paid extra….to see who’s pee was…just right..

[anonymous-user]

And that's enough Internet for me today.

[Robertb]

This used to happen on our E53. Makes a mockery of any supposed cold weather testing!

Its the actual latch mechanism as opposed to the handle

Never found a way of sorting it, except for thawing out the area with a hairdryer.

The door handle carriers are also prone to fatiguing and breaking, which is a whole world of fun.

[POIDH]

Clearly moisture is in these mechanisms. It doesn't bode well for longevity, as water and mechanical or electrical do not mix well long term...

I had one old car that a proper water dispersal (WD40) sorted, but did need a squirt or two every winter. Newer cars have had cables connecting handle and lock, and I wonder if it's water in them?

I also use Gummi Pfledge equivalent on the door seals.

[anonymous-user]

Lotobear said:

Back when we used to have winters we sometimes had to piss on the locks in the morning to thaw them out

Dogging ?