Do You Need to Lubricate Door Locks and Hinges?

Any moving component requires some sort of lubrication - especially door locks and hinges. Door locks and hinges on cars, trucks and SUV's get a lot of use and can wear out over time. Proper lubrication on the locks and hinges of doors helps extend their life and use, reduce rusting, and decrease the possibility or mechanical failure and expensive repairs.

The door locks and hinges are some of the most neglected parts on a vehicle. Although today's vehicles are typically assembled with parts that have a special coating to reduce the potential of rust and contamination, they still are made of metal. By the time you realize they need care, they are often already causing problems, such as sticking or failing to open and close.

However, proper application of recommended lubricants on the locks and car door hinges can prevent issues in the future.

The Type of Lubricant to Use

The lubricant you will use on the car locks and hinges will depend on the material that the lock is made from. Most hinges are made from steel or aluminum. In general, there are four different types of lubricants that should be used.

  • White lithium grease is a thicker grease that repels water, which is a main cause for rust and corrosion. It clings to the places where you apply it and holds up to harsh conditions, such as rain and snow. It is designed to work on metal parts, such as hinges and latches.
  • WD-40 is a lubricant used for many household items as well as car parts. It is designed for light-duty lubrication or to unstick areas. It can help remove rust on car hinges and latches.
  • Silicone spray is gentler and lubricates areas that contain non-metal parts. It is safe for use on nylon, plastic and other materials. Use it for light lubrication.
  • Graphite lubricant is the choice for locks because it doesn’t attract dust and dirt, which can damage the locking mechanism.

Specific Use of Lubricants for Hinges and Locks

On most hinges, a penetrating lubricant like WD-40 is safe to use on older, steel hinges. On modern cars, specialized lubricants made specifically for hinges like white lithium grease is best. Graphite lubricant is recommended for car door locks because it won’t attract dust like oils do, which could damage the delicate components of the lock.

Silicone spray is ideal for plastic or nylon (or metal when only a small amount is needed). White lithium grease is a popular choice for metal parts, such as hinges. It helps to repel water and lasts longer in harsher conditions. It isn’t recommended for plastic or other materials besides metal because it is too harsh. Graphite lubricant comes in a tube. All you need to do is squirt a small amount into the door locks. Don’t forget to lubricate the trunk lock as well.

Lubricating your vehicle hinges and locks only takes a few minutes and can be done two or three times a year. You can also ask a professional mechanic to take care of this job as part of ongoing maintenance to your vehicle. By maintaining your vehicle properly, you can prevent many of the repair issues that occur as the result of long-term or regular use.


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Steven

22 years of experience
200 reviews
Steven
22 years of experience
Porsche Panamera V8-4.8L - Brake Pads Replacement (Front, Rear) - Colleyville, Texas
Steven was professional, prompt and repaired my porsche panamera brake pads perfectly! I test drove the car before he left to ensure it drove safely and correctly. I recommend steven for your auto repair.
Jeep Cherokee - Coolant is leaking - Grand Prairie, Texas
He was great. Very efficient and on time.

Robert

32 years of experience
646 reviews
Robert
32 years of experience
Ford C-Max L4-2.0L Hybrid - Lubricate Trunk - Campbell, California
Robert was able to efficiently replace my hybrid car's dead battery and get it running again (it wouldn't respond to a jump start). I greatly appreciate the convenience of not having to have it towed. All the photos he took of the old/new parts in the report were completely blurry and unusable, however -- I had requested to know the exact model / brand of battery installed.

Richard

21 years of experience
126 reviews
Richard
21 years of experience
Lexus RX350 V6-3.5L - Lubricate Trunk - Keller, Texas
This is the best car maintenance experience of my life! It was so convenient and he was on time, very polite, throughly answered my questions, and worked efficiently.

Khoa

21 years of experience
402 reviews
Khoa
21 years of experience
Mazda CX-5 L4-2.5L - Lubricate Trunk - Sunnyvale, California
No issues with the basic work. But this was supposed to be a 25k mile maintainance. Instead it was just a tire rotation and oil change. He did not check tire pressure (turns out the sensor was broken which I had to figure out myself). And cabin air filter needed replacing (any regular maintainance should have spotted that).

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