What is lubricating the trunk all about?

The trunk is a storage compartment usually located at the rear of the vehicle. This area is accessible via either a lid or a door. The hinges allowing the door to open and close smoothly need to remain lubricated in order to operate properly.

Keep in mind:

• Trunk doors can be quite heavy, causing more wear and tear on the hinge attaching it to the vehicle.
• Heavy trunk doors and lids can be extremely difficult to open if the hinges seize or jam.
• Broken or bent hinges will not return to operating condition through lubrication alone, additional repairs are required.

How it's done:

• Apply grease to the hinges and the latch.

Our recommendation:

At the first sign of noise or difficulty with opening or closing, lubricant should be applied to the hinges of a trunk door or lid. Before the application, the hinge or hinges should be inspected for damage or mechanical problems. While this is being done, we recommend that other hinges around the exterior of the vehicle be inspected and lubricated as well. If the lubricant on the hinges connecting the truck door or lid to the vehicle has depleted to the point of needing replacement, it is likely that other lubricated parts need servicing as well.

What are the common symptoms indicating you need to lubricate the trunk?

• Opening or closing the trunk door or lid is more difficult than it once was.
• A loud squeaking noise is heard when the trunk door or lid is opened or closed.
• The trunk may not latch properly when closed.

How important is this service?

This service is moderately important, as trunk lids have a tendency to latch improperly or require multiple attempts at closing to stay shut. Not only is this very inconvenient, but the trunk could open while the vehicle is in motion. Regular lubrication will ensure smooth operation and prevent expensive repairs from being necessary in the future.