Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
What I have found works well here is to dip the key into ATF, then put the damp but not dripping wet key into the lock.
Different cars feature different levels of integration of the lock and the actual electrical switch, if they are tightly joined WD-40 is one of the few lubes that probably won't cause problems with the switch.
But a small amount of ATF has always worked for me.
There are better/specific products out there. WD-40 and ATF are going to eventually get "gummy" and make more problems down the road. Every bit of gunk/pocket lint will stick to it inside your ignition tumbler.
Just use a dry lubricant. Some of these come as a spray can and include a small tube (just like WD-40). Some are used when reloading ammo for lubricating the cases before sizing, but there are several out there you can use. You can also use silicone lubricant spray.
You'll also find that many ignition lock cylinders (and keys) simply wear out, which is what can be causing the stickiness you're now encountering rather than a lack of lube.
For a lot of car lines, you're better off to get a lock cylinder replacement installed now while you can still move the cylinder to the appropriate position rather than having a lock failure where it cannot be readily rotated to the removal position. On many car lines, the cylinder can be inexpensively replaced at this time, while if you wait and have a failure ... it can be a lot of work to remove the old cylinder.
In any event, it's not advisable to use any oil or wet lube in a lock cylinder ... as posted above, it traps all kinds of dirt and gunk that foul the lock. Dry graphite or a teflon lube are the way to go.
Graphite in a safe liquid carrier is what you need. It looks like a liquid in an aerosol but it is really just graphite in something that evaporates completely. Don't put anything else in there. Loc-Ease or something like that. A little spray can with a little tube on it.
I know in my cars sometimes the steering wheel lock puts a strain on the ignition key and just moving the wheel slightly the ignition switch turns easily. This does not happen all the time as it all depends on the position of the steering wheel when you turn the key off.
Remember you asked for opinions and you got a few and they are all different so you get what you pay for.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
