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Won't WD-40 leave a lot of residue in the lock and cause lint/pocket gunk to build up in the lock? A lot of folks (including myself) over at lockpicking101.com seem to prefer silicon based lubricants (ie triflow). But then again, wafer locks can usually tolerate a lot of gunk so it could be fine.

 

wd-40 in the lock is an old trick in the book.
i dont really need to worry about this cause of the keyless entry.

 

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i do know that little bit of information. i do use them the first day of every month to keep them unfrozen.

 

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As a locksmith with a few decades of experience, I can tell you I have used WD40 on locks all that time with no ill effects. It not only helps prevent freezing, it keeps locks working easily.

 

Can't wd40 rust ?

 

WD40's main ingredient is fish oil and by definition repels moisture. It PREVENTS rust. That's what it was designed to do.

 

It lubricates but attracts moisture. It may make your lock freezing problem worse over time. That's what people say anyway. I'm only school. Used it in the del Sol. The locks froze all the time and I can't say the WD40 made it any worse. Still .. with key less entry .. little chance of freezing locks these days.

 

"WD" stands for Water Displacement. It was designed to reduce corrosion from moisture of missile parts. Believe me, I have used it in every lock application you can think of (even operating room lockers) and in every kind of weather. Where I WOULDN'T use it is on plastic, since it may decompose it, and on firearms, because the wicking action is so strong it can work its way into bullets and deaden the primers. Tri-Flow contains teflon particles in oil, not silicone and works fine. Silicone is something you should NOT use in locks-nor PBlaster or graphite.

 

I'd use it every winter once a month, in summer every oil change. Most of us do use the keyless, but if that battery's dead you want the lock to WORK. The door hinges should be greased every oil change as well. Spray grease works great for this. I also lube the door latches and hood/trunk latches.

Don't forget the ignition! Won't freeze but you don't want it to wear out-not cheap or easy to fix.

Most likely time for locks to freeze is if it rains and the temp drops...or else if one is unbright enough to wash the car when the temp is below freezing. While on that, I'd rub silicone spray into the weatherstripping to keep the rubber live and prevent the door from freezing to the frame.