‘That’s your spirit guide’: Texas woman’s car door handle snaps off during winter storm, but people say it might have saved her life

A Texas woman named Jennifer Daniel tried to get into her Volkswagen during Winter Storm Fern, but the door handle snapped off because of heavy ice. The outside of her car was completely covered in a thick layer of ice that wouldn’t budge.

According to Motor1, Daniel posted a video showing the broken handle hanging from the door. She said “You gotta be kidding me” in the TikTok clip and wrote: “Texas winter storm: 30 minutes in… My door handle broke off.” The video went viral and got over 9.5 million views.

Replacing an exterior car handle can cost between $150 and $500. Once the ice melts, Daniel will need to visit a mechanic to fix the damage. The most important rule when dealing with frozen car doors is to never yank the handle.

Breaking a frozen car handle is easier than you think

Pulling too hard is the fastest way to break it, which is exactly what happened to Daniel. Instead, you should push the door inward firmly first, then gently pull the handle. You might need to repeat this several times to break the ice seal without damaging the handle.

If pushing and pulling doesn’t work, you can use a de-icer spray from any auto parts store. Make sure to keep it inside your house, not in the frozen car. You can also make your own de-icer by mixing one part water with three parts vinegar.

Another option is to use warm water, but never use boiling water. Pouring boiling hot water on a frozen window could shatter the glass, which would create a much bigger problem. You can heat up a traditional car key with a lighter or match and use it to melt the frozen lock, but don’t try this with electronic or chipped keys because the flame can destroy the electronics inside. 

Car problems can be expensive, and some owners have faced shocking diagnostic fees at dealerships for simple issues. Other methods include using a smart remote, a sturdy ice scraper, or blowing hot air to loosen the ice. All of these options are better than yanking the handle and breaking it. One commenter pointed out, “So nobody thinks to pour cold water first to melt the ice away slowly 😳 just pull n pray huh.”

Many people who commented on Daniel’s video said the broken handle might have been a good thing. People from colder areas always tell others to stay home during dangerous winter weather, and this situation showed why that advice matters.

“That’s your spirit guide’s way of telling you to get your ass back in the house and stay there,” one viewer joked. Another person wrote, “I haven’t even got out my bed yet to see what’s going on. Everybody be safe.” One commenter made a political joke, asking “has Ted Cruz left yet 🤣.” Vehicle owners should always be careful with their cars, especially since rental car scams are becoming common and people need to protect their property