So cold window frozen shut and couldn't get in the car

vinnypuchik · 01-21-2019, 06:50 PM

Super cold morning in NJ today. Wind chill well below 0. As you guys know the window dips down a bit so you can open the door. The cold was so bad my window was frozen shut and i couldnt open the door. After a really hard yank the door finally opened. Only problem was the window never dipped down so i couldnt close the door after smh. Long story short, after letting the car run for a bit and spraying De-Icer at the base on the window (hoping in would seep into the crack and unfreeze whatever was frozen) the window was able to go up and down. Anyone else ever have run into this problem?

aerobod · 01-21-2019, 06:55 PM

Sometimes happens here, where cold is below -30°C. Usually caused by water on the seal from being in a warm garage and snow melting on the car and then parking outside in the cold. Just use an old credit card or thin plastic scraper to ease behind the seal at the bottom of the glass and carefully run it along the seal to free it from the ice layer on the glass.

At least with frameless windows you know when you get in the car you have a problem, with conventional framed windows, you often don’t find our until you get to a parking barrier with a line of cars behind, then you can’t open the window to use an access or credit card to open the barrier, can’t open the door because you are too close and can’t reverse due to the vehicles behind.

dradernh · 01-21-2019, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinnypuchik

Anyone else ever have run into this problem?

Not with this car, but with others, sure, esp. after Nor'easters in Northern New England.

We had ~1/20" ice Saturday night, and the lady next door called me over because she broke her passenger door latch forcing the door open. I suggested using a hair dryer next time. The sun will work, too, if you have the time and your car is in a position to take advantage of it.

cwilsong · 01-21-2019, 07:04 PM

Ran into the same basic problem today, poured the rain Saturday then dropped to 8 degrees yesterday. I was able to get the door open fine but my issue was I could not get the door to latch at first. After the car warmed up some was able to get it to close.

Flash forward got to work but didn’t think about not being able to run down the window to swipe my id to get the gate to open. So, pulled up a little further threw it in park opened the door swooped badge, gate opened, pull the door closed but the car would not go into drive WTF?? Tried 3 times finally realized the door was not fully closing so car would not allow transmission to shift in to drive. Really gave the door a good pull and it latched. Stoped on the way home and purchased some lock de-Icer to keep on board.

pikcachu · 01-21-2019, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerobod

Sometimes happens here, where cold is below -30°C. Usually caused by water on the seal from being in a warm garage and snow melting on the car and then parking outside in the cold. Just use an old credit card or thin plastic scraper to ease behind the seal at the bottom of the glass and carefully run it along the seal to free it from the ice layer on the glass.

At least with frameless windows you know when you get in the car you have a problem, with conventional framed windows, you often don't find our until you get to a parking barrier with a line of cars behind, then you can't open the window to use an access or credit card to open the barrier, can't open the door because you are too close and can't reverse due to the vehicles behind.

Use the moonroof

If it's not frozen

overcoil · 01-21-2019, 11:24 PM

Before the weather gets cold I like to use glycerin or talc to rub down the window/door seals - it seems to resist glass rubber sticking even if I wash the car on a near freezing day.

Porsche owners manuals used to recommend this.

aerobod · 01-22-2019, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

Before the weather gets cold I like to use glycerin or talc to rub down the window/door seals - it seems to resist glass rubber sticking even if I wash the car on a near freezing day.

Porsche owners manuals used to recommend this.

Rubber conditioning liquid works well, this is the sort I use: https://www.amazon.ca/nextzett-91480...RSL&ref=plSrch, sometimes I just don’t do it enough. It doesn’t leave streaks on the side windows that other solutions can do. I would be wary of using talc as it is abrasive like fine dirt and could possibly lead to fine searches on the glass.

Conditioning and drying the seals around the door opening after washing the car in cold weather is important to avoid ripping the seals when opening the doors.

Xi-Xi · 01-22-2019, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinnypuchik

Super cold morning in NJ today. Wind chill well below 0. As you guys know the window dips down a bit so you can open the door. The cold was so bad my window was frozen shut and i couldnt open the door. After a really hard yank the door finally opened. Only problem was the window never dipped down so i couldnt close the door after smh. Long story short, after letting the car run for a bit and spraying De-Icer at the base on the window (hoping in would seep into the crack and unfreeze whatever was frozen) the window was able to go up and down. Anyone else ever have run into this problem?

Happened to me this morning. 4 degrees and the car was pretty well iced over. Like you, it took a good hard to tug to get the door open, but then it wouldn't latch once I was inside. I just started the car, turned on the defrosters and after about 4 or 5 minutes I was able to get the window down. Not a big deal. Happened several times last winter, too.

USA-RET · 01-22-2019, 09:59 AM

Had similar w/ an 87 Corvette. Ice storm and headlights froze in the down position during the day. Got back on base (after dark) and spent better part of a hour chipping the ice away so I could drive home. At least I was able to open the car door to get the ice scrapper.

Mother Nature and technology sometimes butt heads.

Climate Changer · 01-22-2019, 10:58 AM

You should get this special edition FROZEN BMW

Lynx_Rufus · 01-22-2019, 11:34 AM

3M Silicone Paste would probably work well. Works well to lube window tracks when power windows get slow. Lasts a long time and should be hydrophobic.

I think I would have been reluctant to pull too hard on this kind of window setup when it's frozen...would be afraid of breaking the window.

01-21-2019, 06:50 PM	#1
vinnypuchik New Member 9 Rep 15 Posts Drives: m240i xDrive Join Date: May 2018 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	So cold window frozen shut and couldn't get in the car Super cold morning in NJ today. Wind chill well below 0. As you guys know the window dips down a bit so you can open the door. The cold was so bad my window was frozen shut and i couldnt open the door. After a really hard yank the door finally opened. Only problem was the window never dipped down so i couldnt close the door after smh. Long story short, after letting the car run for a bit and spraying De-Icer at the base on the window (hoping in would seep into the crack and unfreeze whatever was frozen) the window was able to go up and down. Anyone else ever have run into this problem?
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01-21-2019, 06:55 PM	#2
aerobod Car Geek 3708 Rep 3,621 Posts Drives: Caterham R500, M2-G87, Macan S Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	Sometimes happens here, where cold is below -30°C. Usually caused by water on the seal from being in a warm garage and snow melting on the car and then parking outside in the cold. Just use an old credit card or thin plastic scraper to ease behind the seal at the bottom of the glass and carefully run it along the seal to free it from the ice layer on the glass. At least with frameless windows you know when you get in the car you have a problem, with conventional framed windows, you often don’t find our until you get to a parking barrier with a line of cars behind, then you can’t open the window to use an access or credit card to open the barrier, can’t open the door because you are too close and can’t reverse due to the vehicles behind.
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01-21-2019, 07:04 PM	#4
cwilsong Private 30 Rep 51 Posts Drives: 230i Join Date: May 2018 Location: WV iTrader: (0)	Ran into the same basic problem today, poured the rain Saturday then dropped to 8 degrees yesterday. I was able to get the door open fine but my issue was I could not get the door to latch at first. After the car warmed up some was able to get it to close. Flash forward got to work but didn’t think about not being able to run down the window to swipe my id to get the gate to open. So, pulled up a little further threw it in park opened the door swooped badge, gate opened, pull the door closed but the car would not go into drive WTF?? Tried 3 times finally realized the door was not fully closing so car would not allow transmission to shift in to drive. Really gave the door a good pull and it latched. Stoped on the way home and purchased some lock de-Icer to keep on board.
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01-21-2019, 11:24 PM	#6
overcoil Major General 3079 Rep 5,579 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	Before the weather gets cold I like to use glycerin or talc to rub down the window/door seals - it seems to resist glass rubber sticking even if I wash the car on a near freezing day. Porsche owners manuals used to recommend this.
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01-22-2019, 09:59 AM	#9
USA-RET Captain 605 Rep 970 Posts Drives: Estoril Blue M240i Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: SW Florida iTrader: (0)	Had similar w/ an 87 Corvette. Ice storm and headlights froze in the down position during the day. Got back on base (after dark) and spent better part of a hour chipping the ice away so I could drive home. At least I was able to open the car door to get the ice scrapper. Mother Nature and technology sometimes butt heads.
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01-22-2019, 10:58 AM	#10
Climate Changer Second Lieutenant 110 Rep 278 Posts Drives: 2018 230i xdrive convertible Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: New York iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 230i xdrive co ... [0.00] 2019 x3 [0.00]	You should get this special edition FROZEN BMW Attached Images
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01-22-2019, 11:34 AM	#11
Lynx_Rufus Private 45 Rep 99 Posts Drives: M240ix Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	3M Silicone Paste would probably work well. Works well to lube window tracks when power windows get slow. Lasts a long time and should be hydrophobic. I think I would have been reluctant to pull too hard on this kind of window setup when it's frozen...would be afraid of breaking the window.
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