So today was a horrible commute. All ice. I faced many challenges. Not slipping. Clearing off my car, not slipping while cleaning off my car... driving home and finally, I pulled into the parking lot. Parked, got my stuff and, opened the door. Nothing. The door wouldn't open. Ok sure fine, I probably hit the car lock or something... but no.. the lock was disengaged. Ok sure fine.. I will just use the passenger side door. Nope... that wouldn't open either. Now I am panicking. Picturing the cops coming out.. I am not even sure I could fit through the window.

I pull the seat back and check the back door.. and thank god... that opened.

I had to climb into my back seat put the seat up... and get out the back door. I really don't know what happened but it seemed that pieces of ice got jammed in the latch making so I couldn't open either door.

I am furious and shaken. I could have been trapped in that thing all night long. Thankfully the back doors have a different mechanism.

What a pice of CRUD. It is fairly brand new car and it is that cheap that a pice of ice could keep me from getting out.

[unaluna]

That is weird. Did you go back out tonight and check it? I mean, dont get locked in again - leave a back door open - but maybe try to figure out what went wrong with the front doors? Like maybe the gearshift got pushed out of place when you were gathering your things?

I hate these new cars. I dont currently own a car, i occasionally rent one from Zipcar, and there is often new technology that is in no way intuitive!

[bpcyclist]

If it is fairly new, I would call the dealer and ask what the frigging deal is.

Literally it was a function of a piece of ice being jammed into the door handle. Like if you had tried to start opening the door and got it 1/2 way and stuck a piece of ice in there as a shiv. I don't now how it happened. Possibly it was ice being kicked up from the street as I drove by. The side door was never opened at all before I got home so not sure how that happened. The back doors have a different latch type so they didn't have the problem.

If it were to happen again I could put the window down and pull the piece of ice out, but it was darn scary. I have been considering getting a new car and now I am seriously considering it.

[*Beth*]

I've never lived in the snow...wouldn't the ice melt pretty quickly? Maybe carry water with you and pour it on the ice to melt it?

[unaluna]

Originally Posted by BethRags

I've never lived in the snow...wouldn't the ice melt pretty quickly? Maybe carry water with you and pour it on the ice to melt it?

No, cuz the car metal or fiberglas or whatever is even colder. Maybe the windshield wiper fluid, if you have a full bottle (otherwise you will be cursing yourself when you run out!) and it has enough antifreeze in it. It's real life Batman vs Mr Freeze!

Originally Posted by unaluna

No, cuz the car metal or fiberglas or whatever is even colder. Maybe the windshield wiper fluid, if you have a full bottle (otherwise you will be cursing yourself when you run out!) and it has enough antifreeze in it. It's real life Batman vs Mr Freeze!

Yes in 30 degree nighttime weather you could be there all night before anything changed. All was well today and now that I know what caused it I know what to check but it was scary last night.

Oh and Beth.. I want to know what it is like not to live in winter weather.. some day!!