Stuck car windows or windows that squeak when you roll them up or down can be made to freely move again with the right window grease. I had to deal with this exact issue after a hard freeze had overcome my area.
For some reason my driver & passenger windows never worked quite right after my entire car had been frozen over. It would slide up & down slowly, making a very unpleasant squeaking noise. I ended up taking my car to a shop because I thought the problem was more severe than it was.
Top 3 - Lubricants for Car Window Tracks
They did fix it for me (for a price) but also informed me that in the future, I could simply grease the window tracks on my own. This is a common problem with a very easy solution.
The 5 Best Lubricants for a Stuck Car Window
1. Lucas Oil White Lithium Grease
The biggest advantage to lithium grease is that applying an excess amount won’t negatively affect the final outcome. Some lubricants and greases can attract a fair amount of dirt if too much of the product is used, but lithium grease dries with a “film” over it.
It’s also all-weather resistant, so it won’t perform any differently in cold weather than it does in warm weather. The Lucas Oil brand applies fairly thick but dries smooth, it also doesn’t drip or run as it dries.
While this is a fairly inexpensive option & you get quite a bit of product for your money, some users have stated that any leftover grease in the tube can become thicker over time, but it functions just as well.
To apply this to car window tracks, roll your window all the way down & using a gloved finger, spread the grease evenly on both sides of the open window track. Immediately afterward, start rolling your window all the way and all the way down.
2. 3M Silicone Lubricant
Silicone and Teflon are the two lubricants of choice when it comes to simply lubing up a car window track. They tend to keep their slip in every type of weather & don’t wash off easily, which is a quality you will want when trying to grease your car windows.
There are two different types of silicone spray lubricant: wet and dry. While both will work for your project, I would recommend opting for the wet type silicone lubricant because it will hold up better in rain & freezing conditions.
Dry silicone spray has the advantage of not attracting as much dirt and debris, but its application won’t last as long because it washes off easier in wet weather.
Application of these types of sprays are as easy as it gets since most of them come with a straw attachment for the nozzle to get into hard to reach areas. Roll your windows down and spray the lubricant liberally on both sides of the window tracks then begin rolling your windows up and down to spread it evenly along the sides.
3. Genuine Honda Silicone Grease
The perpetual slip benefits of silicone and the non-drip benefits of grease both combine here in another easy to use product: silicone grease. Though not as effortlessly applied with a spray nozzle, the application still is not difficult.
Because of its consistency and the fact it does the job flawlessly, one tube will last you a very long time. It also does not gum up in the tube with age, so reapplication as necessary is easy.
The small nozzle makes it simple to squeeze it directly into the tracks without having to spread it with your hands. A little goes a long way with this stuff!
One thing I noticed about this window track grease is that it left a slightly white hue or residue as it began to “dry”. This was easily remedied with a quick swipe of a wet rag though.
4. 3-In-One Track Dry Lube
This spray is made specifically for window & door tracks. It also comes with two different spray nozzle settings, a broad mist & a fine, direct spray. For the tracks in your car windows, I would recommend the direct spray so you can place it exactly where you want it with no overspray.
3-In-One dries in minutes and films up as it dries. The film is what protects the window tracks from building up dirt and dust which could prevent it from working properly. It will also help protect against corrosion in aluminum window tracks.
This is a reason this is the preferred track lube for RV owners! It’s versatile and easy to use. Just a quick pass through both tracks is all you will need. This is a dry lube though, so it won’t last as long in wet-conditions.
If you give your car frequent washes or live in a wet climate that is prone to rain, you may need to reapply it every couple of weeks.
5. WD-40
The widely loved lubricant for everything, WD-40 will absolutely help to get your car windows unstuck & eliminate any squeaking. However, I would only recommend WD-40 as a last resort for a few reasons.
There is a film left over from this spray which can attract dirt and debris. Secondly, the smell can be fairly overwhelming, especially in a small enclosed space like a car. If you do use WD-40, use the minimal amount possible.
One thing to note about WD-40 is that if it is applied too high on the track (near where the window curves) it can start to drip down the window. You may need some warm water to remove this film from your windows if that happens.
Things To Consider
Is It Really the Track?
First of all, none of these options will work if your window is actually off of its track. If it doesn’t move at all but you can hear the mechanism turning, you will need to get the window back on the track. This is usually easy to tell because the pane of glass will fall down into the doorframe slightly.
Also, don’t try to use force to get your window to move or else you may find yourself having to fix this exact problem: you may force it off of its track.
Teflon Sprays
Teflon based sprays work just as well as silicone based sprays in a pinch, though they don’t have as long of a lifespan. You may find yourself needing to reapply teflon sprays more often than other options.
Check Your Seals
If you find yourself having to reapply lubricants every couple of weeks & the issue persists, you may want to examine the rubber seals around the window tracks for issues.
Overtime, the rubber will get damaged with dry rot by the sun & other elements. This can cause cracks and even whole pieces to go missing. This allows dirt to build up down the entire window track which means you will constantly have a sticking, squeaking window.
Replacing rubber tracks is fairly inexpensive & they can be found at most auto repair stores. It may solve your window sticking issue once and for all.
How to Lube Car Window Tracks
You want to start by removing all dirt and debris from inside the tracks so that any lubricant you use has a clean surface to be applied to.
Roll your window down all the way & use an air duster spray to blast out the inside of the tracks. If you don’t have any air duster on hand, you can use a regular spray bottle with water. Make sure you use the direct spray setting so the water can hit any debris with force, helping it to become dislodged.
If you used the water method, leave your windows down (preferably in a dust free environment) and allow the tracks to dry out completely before applying any lubricant. Attempting to apply any kind of grease or lube to a wet surface may prevent it from sticking properly.
If You Are Using a Grease Product
Any type of grease that comes in a tube will need to be spread by hand down the tracks. You won’t need as much as you think you do because as the window slides through the tracks, it will help to spread it up and down evenly.
Laying it on too thick will cause it to smush out of the sides as you roll the window up & you will need to clean up the extra.
If You Are Using a Spray Lubricant
Spray lubricants are going to be runnier, with the viscosity of cooking oil in most instances. Always start at the top of the tracks & give one or two quick sprays. Then allow gravity to do the work and carry it down the tracks.
Overspraying these types of lubricants will leave you with a mess of excess products on your windows that you need to clean off. While this isn’t the end of the world and can be done easily with a rag and warm water, it’s best to not give yourself more work and waste any product.
