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You're not supposed to use lube on locks because the film strength of the oil will be enough to make tight pins that have tiny clearances not move.

Not really applicable in an automotive lock which start out as hotdog down hallway when new and only expand from there.

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In both cases, the real issue is when the oil (eventually all do) oxidizes and ‘gums’. Tight tolerances make it cause worse problems sooner of course, but it’s the same problem eventually.

Putting new fresh oil in it often temporarily fixes it because it dissolves some (or a lot) of the old varnish. Acetone can often do the same thing too, but can also wash the varnish deeper into the mechanism where it turns into really solid ‘plastic’ when the acetone dissolves.

I was 2000 km from home (1242 miles) and I was in panic because it was pretty uninhabited place. My bike is 12 years old but I used it in very harsh conditions (dirt, mountains).

Probably should replace the lock but it is so expensive.

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