After my last service I think the dealer used the wrong lube on my doors hinges or something, ie WD-40 which just washes out the correct stuff.

I've tried silicon spray lube but the creaking/squeekign comes back after a week. I didn't see any specific recommendations in the owner's manual.

I know its a dumb question, but I'm stumped....

 

Hey there are no dumb questions.

The factory manual states grease. In the past I used aerosol grease with the little tube and sprayed some in there. However the grease will attract grit and sand which is not good for lubricating the hinge.

These days I use 100% silicone spray, it penetrates well, does not leave a wet residue for stuff to stick to (it is dry to the touch). Use CRC or Prestone Silicone spray, both work well (do not use WD40!).

 

All systems lubricated by fluids nheed to be cleaned and then lubed to maintain optimum performance and service life. Otherwise, trapped dirt can act as an abrasive. Door hinges are pretty tough, thank goodness.

I do not suggest using silicone spray - it has a weak film strength.

WD-40 or similar products are good to clean, then wipe the hinge dry. I suggest one of the following lubes:

1) "Multipurpose" grease is what Hinda rcommends - this is the grease used for bearings and such. It is a thick, brown goo based mostly with lithium. There is tons of it in a service shop, it is a strong lube in terms of film strength, and it does not "sling" - that is, it stays put. Few home mechanics without grease guns have it around. A better choice is.....

2) A spray lithium grease (also called "white" grease). It is cheap, widely available, and similar to what Honda suggests. It has high film strength to reduce wear (doors are heavy).

3) A liquid penetrating lube that "solidifies". My favortie of these is Wurth's HHS2000, made in Germany. It is a spray in a solvent, so it cleans and penetrates, then dries to a thicker film, so it stays put. It is also almost transparent, unlike #1 or #2. You have to hunt it down, but once you find a supplier of Wurth products, you will be happy. Nearly everythign Wurth makes is the best of its kind I have found over many years.

 

I do not recommend ever using WD40 on any car hinge or use on cars for that matter.

WD40 has a well documentated history of disolving grease (Google WD40 and motorcycle chain). Using WD40 will disolve the hinge grease from the factory, getting the grease back into inside the hinge joint is not so easy.

The Wurth stuff or penetrating lube is a good idea though.

 

Who said to use WD-40 to lubricate the door hinge?

 

No one, in my post I wrote to never use WD40 on your car for anything (with the only exception as penetrating lubrication to break free corroded bolts).

I used to use WD40 to clean my motorcycle chains then lube it with chain lube until I read in motorcycle magazines that WD40 was bad for any chain. It breaks down the grease inside the chain, if you look online there's some good articles on the detriments of WD40 for cleaning or lubrication.

For it's original pupose it's OK, that being water displacement and corrosion prevention of Atlas missile assemblies at the Convair plant in San Diego in the 50's and 60's.