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Lubricate Hinges, Latches and Locks On Your Car

Use graphite, lithium or spray lubricants to keep car doors and hoods operating smoothly.

By David Radtke and Bob Lacivita

From The Family Handyman

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All you need are a variety of inexpensive lubricants, which will come in handy for household problems as well. White lithium grease is good for metal-to-metal joints like hinges and latches, which need a clinging grease to repel water and hold up under harsh conditions. WD-40 is for light-duty lubrication and freeing up sticking or partially rusted hinges and latches. Silicone spray is great for lubricating nylon, plastic and metal when only a thin layer of lubricant is necessary. And because silicone dries, it won’t get clothing greasy. Graphite lubricant is the right choice for locks—it won’t attract dirt to fine lock mechanisms like an oil would.

Door locks—1

We don’t think much about our door locks until the key breaks off in the cylinder. Keep these delicate mechanisms moving freely with a blast of dry graphite powder. You may need to push the dust protector flap back slightly with a small metal nail file to get at the lock. A quick pump of the tube will dispense enough graphite. Move the lock cylinder with your key several times to work the graphite into the mechanism. Do this to your trunk lock as well.

Gas tank lid—2

The gas tank lid really takes abuse, especially in salty environments. Give it a squirt of WD-40 a few times a year to keep it from rusting. Wipe away any excess to keep it from dripping onto your car’s finish.

Hood hinges—3

Wipe the hinge area with a clean rag and spray it with white lithium grease or a few drops of ordinary motor oil. Move the hinge several times to work the grease into the hinge. Be sure to get it into both sides of each hinge. Wipe away the excess to keep it from collecting debris.

Trunk hinges—4

Lubricate the trunk hinges using the same method you used for the hood hinge. Don’t lubricate the gas struts that slow the trunk movement (you could ruin them).

Hood latch—5



Wipe the grime and dirt away with a clean cloth. Try to get any bits of sand that may be embedded in the existing grease. If you see rusted or stuck parts, give the latch a spray of WD-40, then move the mechanism several times. Wipe it again and give it a liberal coating of white lithium grease.

Door hinges and latches—6



If the door squeaks every time you open it, the hinges could be bound by corrosion. If so, squirt the hinges with WD-40 to free them, and move the door several times to work in the lubricant. Once the hinges are in working condition, just squirt them with white lithium grease or motor oil, operate the door several times and then wipe any excess away. Check the door latch for corrosion. Many door latches now have a nonmetallic composite mechanism, which should be lubricated with a shot of silicone spray.

From The Family Handyman - January 2005