Use a silicone-based garage door lubricant on hinges, steel roller bearings and springs, and white lithium grease sparingly on weight-bearing springs. Skip the tracks and nylon rollers, and do not use WD-40 as a lubricant. Wipe off the excess, and repeat every 3 to 6 months. Never loosen or adjust a spring while you work.
Why lubricate before winter
Hinges, roller bearings and springs rub metal on metal every time the door moves. Dry parts squeak, drag and make the opener work harder. LiftMaster, an opener maker, lists lubricating the moving parts in its winter checklist and says cold weather can make metal parts contract and lead to broken springs.
Lubricant does not fix a worn part or a door that is out of balance. It keeps a healthy door moving easily. Clopay says noise or a door that is hard to open is a signal that it is time to re-lubricate.
What to use
| Lubricant | Where it goes | Notes from the maker |
|---|---|---|
| Silicone-based garage door spray | Hinge pins, steel roller bearings, springs | Clopay says it resists attracting dirt and stays consistent across temperatures |
| White lithium grease | Weight-bearing springs | Use sparingly because it can attract dirt |
| WD-40 and other oil-based products | Nowhere on the door | Clopay says they attract dirt and dust and can cause early wear |
Check your door and opener manuals for the product they name.
Step by step
Close the door and unplug the opener
Close the door fully. Unplug the opener so no one can press a remote while you work.
Check first
Look for loose hardware, heavy wear and a door that does not seal on the floor. Tighten loose bolts only on hinges and brackets that are not holding spring tension.
Wipe the tracks
Clean the tracks with a damp cloth. Do not lubricate them, because lubricant makes the rollers harder to move.
Hinges and rollers
Wipe the hinge pins and roller bearings clean, then apply a small amount of silicone spray. Skip nylon rollers.
Springs
From the floor, spray along the torsion spring above the door. Do not touch, move or adjust it.
Wipe and test
Wipe off any excess so nothing drips. Plug the opener back in and run the door a few times.
What to skip
- Tracks: wipe them clean, never oil them
- Nylon rollers: Clopay says not to lubricate them
- Plastic or rubber parts and the bottom seal, unless the maker says to
- Too much product: a coat that drips collects dirt
Clopay suggests every 3 to 6 months: closer to 3 months for heavy daily use and about 6 months for average use, with dusty or humid conditions and older parts needing it more often.
When lubricant is not enough
A spring that keeps squeaking after a spray, a door that moves unevenly or one that feels heavy points to a spring or balance problem, not a dry part. DASMA, the garage door manufacturers' association, says only trained professionals should repair spring systems and replace cables.
Do not wind, unwind or remove a spring, and do not work on a cable. If the door feels heavy, drops, or sits off track, stop using it and call. See spring repair for what a technician does.
Related checks
While you are at it, check the bottom seal and side weather stripping. LiftMaster advises replacing damaged or missing seals to keep cold air out, and the monthly checks in the Illinois maintenance checklist cover the rest.
Who to call
Emil Garage Doors repairs garage doors, springs, cables and openers and installs new doors in Illinois, including Elgin, Rockford and Crystal Lake. If the door still drags after you lubricate it, call or send your details and we book a visit. See garage door repair.
Questions people ask
Which lubricant should I use on a garage door in cold weather?
Clopay recommends a silicone-based lubricant for hinges, rollers and springs because it resists attracting dirt and stays consistent across temperatures, and white lithium grease used sparingly on weight-bearing springs. Check your manual.
Can I use WD-40 on my garage door?
Clopay advises against WD-40 and other oil-based products on garage doors because they attract dirt and dust and can cause early wear.
Should I lubricate the garage door tracks?
No. Wipe the tracks clean with a damp cloth. Lubricant on the tracks makes the rollers harder to move.
How often should I lubricate a garage door?
Clopay suggests every 3 to 6 months, closer to 3 months with heavy daily use. Noise or a hard-to-open door means it is due.
Related services
Need help near you?
We repair and install in these cities. Each page has local notes, prices and reviews.
Keep reading
Sources
- Clopay: How to properly lubricate garage door components (lubricant types, parts, frequency)
- DASMA (Door and Access Systems Manufacturers Association): Garage door safety tips (springs, cables, balance, monthly checks)
- LiftMaster press release: Ready the garage for harsh winter weather (lubrication, weather stripping, photo eye and auto-reverse checks)