There’s nothing more frustrating than being in a rush to get to your destination and finding that your car’s door and door handle have frozen shut overnight. You may be tempted to start pulling at the door handle, or to get a boiling kettle of water to thaw it out, but both methods will soon have the neighbors twitching at their curtains as you make the situation even worse.Instead of ending up on the frozen ground grasping a broken door handle, or risking cracking the windows with boiling water, try these methods first:Use Some Pressurefrozen-door-handle-images-ai-2 Before you start pulling on your door handle, try pushing the car door inward. Lean your weight against the door frame for a few seconds. The pressure can sometimes crack the ice seal around the door's weather stripping, which may be all that is needed to get the door open.Use Your Body HeatIf the door handle is only lightly frosted, the simplest tool is your own warmth. Firmly press your gloved hand against the handle and hold it there for a few seconds. Your body heat can often melt the thin layer of ice inside the mechanism just enough to click it open.Apply De-Icer Sprayfrozen-door-handle-images-ai-5 Commercial de-icer sprays contain alcohol that lower the freezing point of water instantly. Spray it directly into the crevices of the handle and around the perimeter of the door seam. It can help dissolve the ice and allow you to open the door without having to yank on the door handle. This method should work within a few seconds, but remember to keep your de-icer in your house or bag, not inside the glovebox of your locked car.If you don’t have an de-icer, or perhaps it is looking at you through the frozen car window, then hand sanitizers are a decent substitute as most are at least 60% alcohol. Squirt a little into the handle and door gaps to melt through the ice. We won’t recommend using actual alcohol, but a strong enough spirit may also do the trick.Use a Hairdryerfrozen-door-handle-images-ai-1 If you have a cordless hairdryer, or a very long extension cord, then you can use it to gently thaw out the handle and door seals. Move the hairdryer back and forth—don't hold it on one spot for too long to avoid overheating the paint or plastic. If you have a heavy-duty heat gun be extra careful, as it can easily cause damage to the bodywork.Heat Your Car KeyIf your car uses a traditional metal key, you can heat it with a lighter or a match and insert it into the lock cylinder. This can help thaw out the frozen bits inside, after which you should be able to turn the key and gain access to your vehicle. If you have an electronic key fob, it may be hiding an emergency key which will allow you to unlock the driver’s door in the same manner. However, if you have a newer model without a physical key, then this is not the method for you.Preventative Measuresfrozen-door-handle-images-ai-6 It’s tempting to get aggressive when you’re running late, but pouring boiling water on the door or handle can shatter the window glass and crack the handle. Even if it does work, the water will just freeze again, making your next attempt to get in the car even more frustrating. Pulling at the door handle with all your might is also a bad idea. You will most likely break the mechanism, making the situation a lot worse.The best way to deal with a frozen door or door handle is to ensure it never happens in the first place. Try these methods out before you leave your car out in the cold:Use WD-40 or Silicone Spray: Spray a small amount of silicone lubricant or WD-40 into the handle and around the door trim before you lock your car. It displaces water so ice can't form inside as easily.Face the Sun: If possible, park your car facing east. Depending on your departure time and the weather, even a wintry morning sun can provide enough warmth to thaw the driver’s side door.Use a Car Cover: A simple car cover prevents freezing rain and snow from caking onto the bodywork. Make sure the car cover is weatherproof, as a subpar cover may freeze onto your car.