Tesla's flush door handles look sleek, but winter exposes their weak spot. After a car wash, wet snow or rain followed by frost, water lingers in the mechanism and the handle will not present or pivot. The owner is left standing next to the car, unable to get in.
The most vulnerable part of the handle is the pivot pin with its spring. Treat it with a water-displacing product before the frosts arrive and ice will not form there. The job takes about 10 minutes for the whole car.
What you will need
Important: Never force a frozen handle open, as you may damage the mechanism. If it is already iced up, warm the car first or gently melt the ice with warm air. Keep the product off glass, brake discs and tyres.
Step 1
Prepare the handle
Do the job in dry weather, ideally before the first frosts or ahead of a forecast cold snap. Wipe the handle and the recess around it to remove dirt, grit and road salt: abrasive particles combined with moisture wear the mechanism quickly.
Step 2
Prop the handle open
Extend the handle and slip a folded soft towel or microfibre cloth underneath it. The handle stays open, both hands are free and you have clear access to the pivot pins. The cloth also protects the paintwork from scratches.
Step 3
Apply the product to the pivot pin
Locate the pivot pin and spring inside the handle. Rest the tip of the WD-40 Smart Straw on the spring next to the pin to aim accurately, and spray for about one second. That is enough; any more will just run down the bodywork.
Try not to hit other components. The product displaces moisture from the pivot and helps prevent ice forming.
Step 4
Work the mechanism
Remove the towel and move the handle in and out about ten times. This spreads the product along the whole pin and spring. Blot any residue on the handle with a dry cloth.
Step 5
Repeat on every door
Carry out the same steps on each door handle. Even if you usually only open the driver's door, the other handles freeze just the same, and passengers or children may be unable to get in.
Tip: Check the forecast in winter: if frost is due after rain or a thaw, treat the handles the evening before. A small
WD-40 100 ml can fits in a coat pocket, which is better than leaving it inside a car you cannot open.
What next
Repeat the treatment every few weeks during the cold season and after every visit to a car wash. The same WD-40 Multi-Use comes in handy for the charge port flap, boot hinges and garage locks.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».