It’s pretty easy to get locked out of a car, and if the key gets lost or locked inside of the vehicle without a spare handy, then there's a real problem. Show
Sometimes, people have been forced to take extreme measures to retrieve keys that have been locked inside of a vehicle, some even going so far as to smash one of their own windows. Tempered glass is treated to shatter into thousands of pieces when it breaks so that there are no large shards of glass flying in an accident. You can avoid the hassle and cost of breaking open a window and cleaning up the glass shards if you know the right way to break into your own car. There are a few techniques that you can try, as they don’t take particularly specialized equipment and they can be done by people with little or no prior locksmithing experience. Calling a professional locksmith is usually an option, but there could be a long wait or professional locksmiths may not be available nearby.
Unless the situation is an emergency, don’t rush any of the steps involved. Don’t force the door open. Damaging the doors or the locks themselves turns an inconvenience into a serious problem.
Method 1 of 4: Unlocking a door with manual locks from the insideUsing a tool like a wedge (professionals use a powerful airbag), it is possible to open the top of the door wide enough to get a metal rod around the locking pin and pull the pin up, thereby unlocking the door.
It is important to use a technique that addresses the specific type of lock the vehicle has. There are two main types of locks:
Step 1: Use a wedge or tool to hold open the door space. Find something thin that can be used to open up a gap at the top of the door, between the car’s body and the doorframe or window.
Step 2: Slide the tool into the door gap. Wedge the tool into the space between the body of the vehicle and the top of the door on the side opposite the hinge (this corner can be pulled out the most). Pull the space open with your fingers to make more space for the tool to fit into. Step 3: Keep inserting the tool until it is visible. Carefully work the tool down and into the space until it is visible through the window.
Step 4: Make a hook. Now you can fashion a tool or hook to grab the locking pin. A clothes hanger works well, but you can use whatever is handy.
Step 5: Open the lock using the hook. Use the wedge to open up a space large enough to fit the tool into the car. Grab onto the locking pin with the tool and pull up on it until the door unlocks.
Method 2 of 4: Unlocking a door with automatic locks from the insideWith automatic locks, the amount of difficulty involved in unlocking them from the outside is decided by two things:
The steps to get the top of door away from the body are the same as with manual locks: simply use a wedge or other long, thin tool to make a space and then use another tool to press the “unlock” button. Step 1: Identify how the locks are activated. Automatic locks may be activated in a number of ways. Check whether the unlock button is located in the central console or on the driver’s side.
Step 2: Make a hook or loop tool to press the button. Some automatic locks have a simple button on the armrest of the driver’s side, and a straight metal rod or other tool can be used to reach the button and press it to unlock the door. If there is a switch or if the button is not easily accessible, then the tool may need a hook or loop at the end. Trial-and-error is the best technique for finding what works.
Method 3 of 4: Unlocking the door from the outsideIn some cases, it is faster and easier to make a lockout tool (also called a Slim Jim) to unlock the door from the outside. This technique takes a little bit more finesse, and is more likely to damage the weather stripping and/or the wires inside of the door.
Here is how to use this method: Step 1: Make a ‘Slim Jim’ tool. To fashion a Slim Jim, it is best to use a coat hanger or other long, relatively thin piece of metal and straighten it out, bending a hook into one end. This is the end that will go into the door.
Step 2: Insert the Slim Jim into the door. Since there are usually more wires in the driver’s door, it is best to use this method on the passenger side door. Slip the tool in between the weather stripping along the bottom of the window and the window itself.
Step 3: Open the lock with the hook. The locking mechanism is located right under the locking pin, so try to use the hook to grab the inside of the locking mechanism by sliding the hook back toward the lock and pulling up once the hook grips the lock.
Method 4 of 4: Gain entry through the trunkWith manual locks, there is a chance that the trunk is unlocked even if the doors are locked. If this is the case, then it may be possible to get into the vehicle through the trunk. Here’s how you can unlock the vehicle through the trunk: Step 1: Open up the trunk. Look for any opening that you can use to get into the interior of the car.
Step 2: Push the rear seats forward. Look for something to press or pull on that would allow you to lower the rear seats and push them forward. Many sedans have a cable that can be pulled on for just this purpose. Look all along the edge of the rear seats. Step 3: Get into the car. Crawl into the car and unlock the doors manually.
If you use any of the above methods to open your car when you lock your keys inside, you won't have to resort to breaking a window to get your keys back. If your car’s trunk, door or power locking mechanism refuses to unlock/lock, get a certified mechanic, such as one from Your Mechanic, to inspect the locking mechanism. The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details What to do if you lock yourself outside of your car?For the best service, you should call an emergency locksmith or tow service company. Calling a local locksmith or tow company is the most efficient and will speed up the process of unlocking your car. If your insurance policy or national roadside carrier offers roadside assistance, call them first.
How do you unlock a car door by yourself?Try a Rod or Wire Clothes Hanger
Proceed slowly and be gentle to avoid damaging the vehicle. Slide the rod or straightened clothes hanger into the opening you've created. Use the rod or clothes hanger to slide or depress the car's door-lock flipper or button, and open the car door.
|