You’ll want to try these clever tips the next time you unintentionally lock your keys in the car. So, how to unlock your car door without a key?
There are 9 tips and tricks. You are supposed to use a shoestring, plastic strip, coat hanger, a rod and screwdriver, bobby pin, a windshield wiper…
Keep reading.
How to Unlock Your Car Door Without a Key?
There is a wide variety of locking techniques for various car types. Older models require key fobs, whereas modern cars can be unlocked by pressing a button on a remote control. A locking knob can also be found on the handle or inside the door, close to the window.
Before continuing, locate the unlocking mechanism on both the inside and outside of your car door. You can unlock your car using any of the following techniques once you are aware of it.
Using Shoestring
Shoestring can come in handy if your car locks when you pull up.
Steps to follow
- Make a small knot in the shoestring’s middle, which will tighten once it is wrapped around the locking mechanism.
- Get the string inside the car through the gap between the door and the car’s body.
- Tighten the loop after wrapping the string around the lock.
- Now raise your hand to pull the string.
With experience, you can quickly unlock it the first time; otherwise, you will need to keep trying.
Using Plastic Strip
A long plastic strap or a set of plastic wedges is easily available. If your car has pull-up type locks, even these may be able to assist you in unlocking it.
Steps to follow
- With the other end on your hand, fold the plastic strip in half and slide it through the door’s tiny slit.
- Pull the strip up once it has reached the lock. Now the car gets unlocked.
Using Coat Hanger
You’ve probably seen the coat hanger technique used in a few movies. Only older vehicles with manual locks can use this technique, just like the shoelace trick. A thin wire coat hanger and pliers are all you need. To create a coat hanger with a hooked side and a straight side, unravel the hanger using the pliers. Slide the coat hanger between the weather stripping and the window. You can start looking for the control arm once the hook is below the window. When you locate it, use the hook to pull up and your door will unlock.”
Using the Car Antenna
Older vehicles with a particular style of exterior car handle can be operated using this method. In this situation, all you need is your car’s antenna to unlock it from the outside. All you need to do is unscrew the antenna, slide it slowly and carefully through the inside of the door handle, and wiggle it around until you find the lock jiggling. The car door will instantly unlock once you discover that you have established a connection by quickly moving the antenna forward.
Using a Rod and Screwdriver
You can also unlock the car door for less money by using a long rod and a screwdriver.
Steps to follow
- Use the screwdriver as a wedge by inserting it into the door slit and separating the door from the car frame.
- Create a gap, then slide the rod into it and move it in the direction of the unlock button.
- In less than 30 seconds, unlock the car by pressing the unlock button with the rod.
Using Bobby Pin
Try this time-honored method on a manual car lock if you only have bobby pins and some patience. Pull apart the second pin, slightly bending one of its tips, and bend the first pin at a 90-degree angle. The first pin should be inserted into the lock from the bent side, and the second pin should be inserted directly into the lock. Move the second pin around inside the lock until it clicks open while keeping the first pin in place. This trick could damage your car if you do it incorrectly, though. You can always call someone to help if you’re worried about damage and leave it to the experts.
Using a Windshield Wiper
The process for installing and removing windshield wipers varies depending on the make and model of your car. A windshield wiper could potentially save you the time and effort of calling for roadside assistance or a locksmith to open your car door, regardless of the make, model, or type of vehicle you drive. The wiper needs to be taken off first. The wiper should then be advanced until it reaches inside if you discover that your window is only slightly ajar or if you can force open your door wide enough to let it pass through. At this point, the wiper can be used to grab your keys, if on the car seat or to push the unlock button on the car door. You can use anything long and sturdy, but your windshield wiper is your best option if you don’t have anything else on hand and need to get moving quickly.
Using Inflatable Wedge
The unlocking mechanism can be aided by an inflatable wedge and a stick or rod. The tool comes with a wedge, an airbag, and a cover to prevent paint damage to the door.
Steps to follow
- To inflate the airbag, insert it just a little bit into the door slit using the wedge.
- The distance between the door and frame widens as it expands. Place the wedge at additional points as you go.
- Insert the rod through the gap once it is the right size, then unlock the door.
This technique is comparable to using a screwdriver and rod, but when a screwdriver is used, there is a possibility that the paint on the door will be harmed.
Using Cellphone
Thanks to a growing number of car apps for your smartphone, you can unlock your car without breaking the bank—or a window. Many brand-new cars come with free Apple and Android apps that enable drivers to operate their vehicles without using their keys. The apps enable users to remotely lock, unlock, and even start their cars by transforming smartphones into additional key fobs. “The key is to pair [your car key] with the app before you lock yourself out,” Install the manufacturer’s app for the next time your keys get locked in the car, advises Takahashi, if you own a new car model from Hyundai, GM/Chevrolet, Nissan, Toyota, Subaru, Ford, or Honda.
Will the Police Unlock Your Car for Free?
Call 911 right away in a high-risk situation, such as if a child or animal is trapped inside the vehicle, and let them know where you are as well as the make and model of your car. More quickly than a locksmith or roadside assistance, emergency services like the police and fire department will show up. According to Moody, the police will frequently break a window or use a thin metal tool to unlock a door without a key. Although they won’t charge you for the service, you should only call them in an emergency because you will be responsible for paying to have the damaged window repaired.
Does AAA Unlock Your Car?
Roadside assistance providers like AAA can come in handy when you’ve locked your keys in the car, Moody says. Depending on the membership level, AAA members also receive one free lockout per year up to a fixed cost in addition to 24-hour access to services. If you ever find yourself in a predicament like this, call AAA and provide them with information such as your location, the make and model of your car, and your membership number. However, keep in mind that a professional may take a half hour or more to arrive, and you will have to pay out of pocket if you don’t have a membership or if you get locked out more than once.
What to Do Before Locking Yourself Out?
Drivers who frequently lock their keys in their vehicles can take some preventative measures to avoid future time, expense, and hassle. Moody suggests purchasing a roadside assistance plan, while Takahashi advises downloading the manufacturer’s app for your vehicle. A small magnetic safe underneath the car, for example, is a convenient location to keep a spare key, advises Moody. While some people attach extra keys to easily accessible locations on their cars, this could make your vehicle an easy target for car thieves. In contrast, a magnetic key vault secures your key with a code so that only you can access it.
FAQs
Can You Pick Your Own Car Lock?
Yes, there are ways to pick a car door lock, but they usually take some skill and practice. Using a bobby pin is a typical technique.
How Do Criminals Unlock Cars?
Thieves can fool your vehicle into unlocking by capturing the signal emitted by your key fob and relaying it to your car. You can protect your vehicle by blocking your car key signals, using the following techniques: Store your keys in a safe place, out of range of your car
Can You Steal a Car Without Keys?
Today’s vehicles are key-less and rely on fobs to open, start, and drive away. But criminals are now able to do this without the fob—using a commercially available software tool which can be bought on the open internet.
Will a Magnet Unlock a Lock?
The magnet doesn’t make the lock move: Every lock will work differently, but it’s typically friction that causes this problem. If a lock component is meant to move, make sure it can do so easily. If it’s attached too tightly, your magnet may not be able to move it.
Summary: How to Unlock Your Car Door Without a Key?
If you find yourself in this very common situation, you can try these 9 options. You are supposed to use a shoestring, plastic strip, coat hanger, a rod and screwdriver, bobby pin, a windshield wiper…
However, if you are unable to successfully use these do-it-yourself techniques to open your car when your keys are inside, you should call roadside assistance or any other car services that are currently available.
Most people are part of specialized car services that provide support in situations like this. Call them or buy a set of magnetic key holders that you can tuck your keys into under your car’s bumper if you want a quick and simple fix.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment. KV Auto tries to give you the best car industry information. Thank you for reading.
