How to lubricate car doors, locks and hinges (and hood) |
Which grease for which part of a car door

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WHAT YOU NEED!

-An oil dispenser (hand pump oiler) filled with machine or motor oil
-Lithium grease tube (white grease)
-Silicone grease (spray can)
DISCLAIMER:
Our pictorials are of informative nature and do illustrate works carried out by ourselves at our own premises for our own use and satisfaction.
Readers who envisage to carry out similar works inspired by the below method shall do this at their own risks and liability.

Wondering which of WD40, Oil, Lithium Grease or Silicone Grease to use on your car door?

The immediate answer is as follows, see our explanations further below for more details:
  • Use WD-40 penetrating oil for cleaning or unblocking rusty parts but not to lubricate the car doors
  • Machine oil or any motor oil is the best lubricant for car door hinges as it penetrates better than grease
  • White lithium grease is perfect for fixed parts of the door lock, the ones fixed on the car body
  • Silicone spray grease is ideal for lubricating door holders inside the car door itself, due to the difficult reach.
See detailed explanations below:

Lubricating car door hinges

Using a hand pump oiler , apply a few drops of a medium duty oil i.e. machine oil or motor oil on the pins that hold the door hinges together. Do not use light penetrating oil like WD40 because its lubricating effect won't last.
Make sure to lubricate the three pins, the ones of the two car door hinges and the the one of the car door stopper (middle).
Apply a coat of white lithium grease on the car door stopper lever as shown in the right picture.
You may spray little silicone grease inside the door at the door stopper level, especially if you're hearing a squeaking noise when opening and closing your car door.

Lubricating car hood and hatch hinges and struts (pistons)

Apply one or two drops of machine or motor oil with a hand pump oiler to the hinges and the car hood / hatch strut ends.
Apply a thin coat of white lithium grease to the piston shaft. DO NOT USE OIL on the car hood strut shaft.
Apply also a few drops of oil to the hood lock mechanism. Do not hesitate to use a bit of excess oil.
Apply a coat of white lithium grease from a tube to the hood lock latch.

See also our comprehensive tutorials for car maintenance:

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