What tools can I use to open a car door?

Being locked out of your car can be incredibly frustrating. Whether you left your keys inside, your key fob battery died, or your door lock is just being stubborn, not being able to get into your vehicle is a huge inconvenience. Luckily, there are several tools and techniques you can use to gain entry into a locked car.

Manual Door Unlocking Tools

If your key fob is dead or you don’t have a spare, you may need to manually unlock the car door. Here are some of the most common manual entry tools:

• Slim jim – A slim jim is a long, flat piece of metal that can be slid between the window and car door to manipulate the locking mechanism. It takes some practice, but a slim jim can typically unlock most vehicle doors.
• Coat hanger – A straightened metal coat hanger can be shaped into a makeshift slim jim. Carefully bend back the hook shape to make a long, slim piece of metal.
• Door wedge – Door wedges are wide at one end and tapered at the other. They can be slid into the top corner of the door to slowly create an opening. A rope can then be tied to the wedge and used to open the door from the inside.
• Inflatable door wedge – Inflatable wedges provide more lifting force than standard wedges. Insert between door and frame and inflate to apply upward pressure.
• Unlock hook – Unlock hooks have a long, curved metal piece to reach down and lift the locking mechanism. It may take a few tries positioning the hook to get it to work.

Manual unlocking tools require some skill and practice to use effectively. Make sure not to damage the vehicle paint or dent the door frame when attempting to unlock a car manually.

Electric Unlocking Devices

Electric or battery powered unlocking devices can make opening a car door much easier. Here are some gadgets that can unlock your car with the push of a button:

• Air wedge – Air wedges use battery power to rapidly inflate a sturdy plastic bladder. The inflating wedge can provide enough upward force to crack open a door.
• Power unlocking kit – A power door unlocking kit uses an inflator and long air bladder to provide lifting force. Some kits plug into the car’s power outlet.
• Electric pick/slim jim – Instead of manual manipulation, an electric pick has a motor to move the unlocking mechanism. Less skill needed than a manual slim jim.
• Car unlocking tool – There are various gadgets that plug into the door lock and use power to align the locking pins to the unlocked position.

Electric tools take most of the effort out of unlocking a car door. However, the powered gadgets are more expensive than manual options.

Unlock a Car with String

With the right technique, you may be able to unlock your car with nothing more than a piece of string:

1. Tie a small loop in the end of a piece of string. Make sure it will fit into the door lock opening.
2. Insert the looped end into the door lock hole above the locking mechanism.
3. Fish around until the string catches on the lock lever inside.
4. Pull the string up to lift the lock into the unlocked position.

This string unlocking method takes a bit of time and finesse, but can be done with common household items if you’re in a bind. Note that some newer car models have recessed locks that won’t work for this technique.

Use a Duplicate Key

If you’ve lost your main car key, try using a duplicate. Spare keys can save the day in situations like:

• Primary key is missing/stolen
• Key broke off in the door lock
• Key fob battery died and doors are locked

Just make sure to keep duplicate keys in a wallet, purse, or hidden magnetic lock box on your vehicle. Having a backup key handy ensures you’ll never be stranded outside the car.

Call a Locksmith

As a last resort, call a professional locksmith. They have specialized tools and expertise to rapidly unlock modern vehicle doors. Common locksmith services include:

• Emergency lockout service – Available 24/7 to quickly unlock your vehicle
• Extract broken keys – Carefully remove damaged keys stuck in locks
• Make new car keys – Program transponder chips in replacement keys
• Extract broken/lost keys – Retrieve broken key fragments from the door lock
• Replace locks – Install new locks and cut new car keys

Mobile locksmiths can arrive wherever your vehicle is located for on-site assistance. While the service call isn’t free, locksmiths provide fast and professional unlocking services.

Avoid a Lockout with Key Fob Tips

While the above methods can get you back into a locked car, it’s better to avoid getting locked out altogether. Follow these key fob tips to prevent being stuck outside your vehicle:

• Check key fob battery – Replace low batteries to maintain remote access
• Give yourself reminders – Set a daily reminder to pat your pockets and confirm you have keys
• Carry a spare – Have an extra fob or standard key in your wallet or purse
• Hide a key – Secure a hide-a-key box somewhere discreet on your vehicle exterior
• Memorize unlock code – Store the electronic door code in your phone to manually unlock

Getting locked out of your vehicle can ruin your whole day. Now that you know the top techniques for unlocking a car without keys, you can quickly get back on the road.

Conclusion

Being locked out of your vehicle can be immensely frustrating, but there are numerous ways to get back inside your car without keys. Manual tools like slim jims and inflatable wedges can provide mechanical leverage to unlock doors, while electric powered devices take most of the effort out of opening locked cars. More basic techniques like using string or calling a locksmith may take longer, but can get the job done in a pinch. Vehicle owners should take preventative measures like storing duplicate keys and replacing key fob batteries to avoid getting stranded outside the car in the first place.

Hopefully these keyless entry tips give you the knowledge and tools to quickly re-enter your vehicle if you ever find yourself locked out. With the right technique and tools, you’ll be back on the road in no time.

Table of Manual Unlocking Tools

Tool	Description	Pros	Cons
Slim Jim	Flat, metal strip that slides between window and door to manipulate locks	Works on most vehicles	Requires skill to use properly
Coat Hanger	Straightened hanger can be shaped into makeshift slim jim	Cheap, easy to obtain	Awkward to maneuver into place
Door Wedge	Wedge inserted at top corner provides lifting force	Can be used with rope to open door from inside	Slow process compared to other tools
Unlock Hook	Curved metal rod that lifts locking mechanism	Provides more leverage than makeshift tools	May take several attempts to work

Table of Electric Unlocking Devices

Tool	Description	Pros	Cons
Air Wedge	Inflatable bladder provides lifting force	Battery powered inflation	Plastic may puncture over time
Power Unlock Kit	Inflator and bladder powered by car outlet	Quick and minimal effort	More expensive than manual tools
Electric Pick	Powered slim jim for easier manipulation	Less skill required than manual pick	Must be charged/battery replaced
Car Unlock Tool	Aligns lock pins electronically	Typically effective on most vehicles	Generally more expensive