Getting yourself locked out of your car can be extremely annoying. And if you are in a rush, the feeling worsens if you don’t have the least idea of how to open a locked car door.
There’s no point even attempting to open the door if you do not know the technical know-how.
So, to save you from that predicament, you need to understand your locking mechanism by reading this article to know the various means by which you should open your locked car door easily and still make it to that meeting on time.
How to open a locked car door?
First, you should know that the locks on cars vary by location. There are those whose locking knob is found on the inside top of the doors just below the window, and there are cars with power locks that can be designed with a remote, and this is becoming common in most modern vehicles. So an approach for one would not apply to the other.
Anyway, don’t lose sleep over that. We are going to happily explain various ways of getting into a locked car door.
But before you proceed to try any of these, it helps to know your vehicle’s unlock mechanism, as it makes it easier for you to select which of the methods is suitable for your vehicle.
Just a note for all those vehicles with security systems. The car alarm will go off if you plan to open the door without your key, so it is advisable to have your ID in your pocket just in case the cops come after you.
Method 1: A-Rod and a Screwdriver.
This method is cumbersome and dangerous, especially for a starter, but again, since everybody knows how to unlock a car door with a screwdriver, it is quite popular. All you require to make this method work for you is a steel rod and a screwdriver.
Of course, the rod that you steal should be long and thin. You may also use any firm instrument that you have; it doesn’t matter as long as it is long and thin.
Gently use the screwdriver to pry your door open until there is enough space to insert the rod. Once you have that space, place your rod inside the vehicle and hold one edge.
But before placing the rod in, when you pay your door, that is, you first have to bend the other tip of the rod to form a hook, which makes the process easier.
Be reminded that using metal objects to pry your doors open may cause a lot of damage; so, if you are near a hardware store, try to find a more suitable thing to do if you do not like to use the steel rod.
Be careful not to take off the screwdriver; it will serve as a wedge, thus making it possible for you to move your rod. Then use your rod and pull the handle or push the unlock button; this should open your door.
You may dent your door a little, but it can easily be fixed. But if you find the method is handy, then go ahead, just take all the necessary precautions in the process.
Method 2: Use your spare key
This is the easiest way to open your locked car door. A magnetic key box attached to your car’s frame will save you stress and money.
Make sure your key box is secured tightly enough so it does not bounce off while driving on rough roads. Keep it out of sight so no one has easy access to it.
Keeping the spare key in your wallet or at home is also a good idea. With this, even if you lock keys in a car, unlocking the door wouldn’t be hard; you can easily call someone to help you get it, and you use it to open your door without breaking a sweat.
Method 3: A Slim Jim
A Slim Jim is a tool used to slide horizontally and vertically through manual locks. This tool is designed generally to be used with an old vehicle for opening the lock on a car door.
Insert your flat metal piece between your weather stripping and the glass of your window with the hook of your tool in hand. Turn your tool until the hook is facing you. Use it to feel around carefully for the lock pin inside your vehicle and pull the pin up.
There are several wires running inside a car door, and you have to be careful not to damage one of them, and far worse, damage your entire door locking mechanism in the process. Getting the door lock fixed will surely cost you a fortune. So, it is always better if you ensure that you have your locking pin before you pull up.
Cars designed with a power lock system have several more wires inside the door, so it’s not an option to try to use the Slim Jim to open those kinds of doors.
If you have to use a slim Jim method of opening car doors, then you should try it on the passenger’s door. Why? Because it has many fewer obstacles than the driver’s door, thereby reducing the risk of damage.
You should know the risk involved; however, if you want to try this out. Even when you do it correctly, the slim Jim can destroy your window, which is why most locksmiths do not recommend using this method to open car doors.
If you have to use this method, please make sure you use it on old vehicles designed without power locks. Try to be as gentle as possible to reduce the extent of any damage done.
Method 4: Coat Hanger.
The coat hanger method is a lot like that of the slim Jim. You will need to get yourself a wire hanger for this method, untwist it, and form one edge to a hook.
Place it into your weather stripping and jiggle till you locate your locking mechanism. This might take time, but ultimately you will get it right.
You can always look up your vehicle’s locking mechanism on the manual so you can locate it on time and know where to aim your wire hanger. This makes the process a little bit quicker.
This method can be used on horizontal locks as well since you are dealing with the lock mechanism and not pushing the lock button in your car.
Method 5: Shoestring.
Of course, a shoestring can be used to open your locked car door. You may be surprised, but it’s true. Although you can only use this on vehicles made with vertical-post door locks, if you do, it is a very simple process.
You must first shimmy the string’s edges till you reach the post. When you’ve gotten the slipknot’s loop over the post, and in doing so, pulled the ends of the string to grab the post, you must pull it up into unlocking position.
If you are asking how to open a car door from the inside yourself, this is it. As we stated earlier, this method will only work on older vehicles.
Do not forget that. You will also have to take off your knot’s position, and a wrong position here can damage your lock or bend your lock post. Also, the type of vertical post your car possesses would determine the difficulty level of this method.
Method 6: Call a locksmith
Calling a locksmith is the easiest way to unlock your car lock, but it will cost you. Instead of trying various ways how to open the car door, why not save yourself the stress and call your local locksmith, who will help you open your door easily.
Even if your car has power locks, they know how to open a locked car door with power locks fast.
“Locksmiths are trained to gain access to the locks of all vehicles (old and new) in a professional manner causing little or no damage done to the vehicle using several specialized tools.”
Method 7: Breaking your window.
This method is an emergency procedure only. If you have to break your window, be sure to use a glass breaker (or hammer) and do not aim at the center of the window; instead, aim at the outer edge, which is the weak part of the window, then at the center, the strongest part.
Shattering your vehicle window should be the last option unless emergencies like when a baby is strapped in and you don’t have a spare. You also have to think of harming yourself in the process since you are dealing with glass.
But if it’s all good, you only have to live with a new window. And until you fix your window, remember to park your car in a garage to keep it out of the rain.
FAQs.
Q: How do I open my locked car with a flathead screwdriver?
Step 1: Find your unlock key.
This is your first and most important step. If you know your vehicle well, finding your unlock key would be conducting this task would be very easy. And if not, you can simply check your car’s manual; it will tell you where your key is fitted.
Step 2: Pry up the door with your screwdriver.
Pry into your door carefully using your screwdriver and use it as a wedge between your door and its frame.
Using a screwdriver to wedge a door means you’re using high pressure on your door and lock, thereby running the risk of bending your door or damaging your lock. So ensure you do this as delicately as you can.
Now you have to be able to slide your screwdriver into the middle of the door and frame and push it until its tip is inside your car. Try to stay far away from your door hinges so you can have a lot of space.
Step 3: Insert the tool that would push the unlock button.
The best tool to use will be a long, slim, and firm coat wire coat hanger. You would have to place your wedge at an angle so that you need to insert your tool.
If you can get to the electronic unlock key, all you have to do now is push the button down, and your car door opens, but if you can’t reach your electronic key, then you can open your door by using your hook to pull the handle.
Step 4: Remove your tool and wedge.
Ensure that before opening your door, all your tools and the wedge have been removed. This is very important. Opening your door while your tool and wedge are still intact can damage your vehicle’s locking mechanism, which is quite expensive to fix.
If you are able to remove your tool, gently remove your screwdriver also, and now you can open your car door.
You won’t need to go through all of it if your car has features that would help you unlock it remotely; you can check how to open a locked car door with a cell phone, and you get your door opened.
Q: What do I do if I lock my keys in the car?
Everybody loathes locking themselves out of their car, especially if the spares are in it. Not to worry! Here are several effective ways that you can unlock your car door, including;
- Using your shoestring
- Coat hanger method
- Use a Slim Jim
- Using a ride and screwdriver
- An inflatable wedge
- Using a tennis ball (Hail Mary’s method)
- Call a locksmith or car assistance provider
You can learn how to unlock your car door with any of these methods.
Q: How much is a lock for a car?
To determine the real cost of popping your car lock, you must factor in the price of calling the locksmith, the nature of the lockout, and a few other things. This is why many turn to learning how to pick a car lock themselves.
The cost of unlocking your car, using the service of a locksmith, begins at $15. Car lockouts begin at $35, but depend on several factors, including how complicated the job is. Add that together, and we get $50.
If you do not have access to your spare keys or your key is broken, the cost of making a new key is usually about $160. You don’t have to make your car key up right away if that amount of cash is out of reach.
Q: Can cops help unlock cars?
Well, the cops might be able to help you out, but they shouldn’t be your first resort when locked out of your vehicle. But if they can’t do it themselves, they can help you with a tow truck, though you’ll have to pay for that.
Of course, the police will not unlock your car for free. I mean, who can I call to unlock my car door for free?
No one, of course, unless during emergencies. It’s in those kinds of emergencies when the cops come on scene, they might smash your window to get to a vehicle; they don’t have the right tools in their tool belt to unlock car doors.
So, it is much better to call a locksmith if you are trapped outside of your vehicle. You can even call an emergency locksmith if you need.
Q: How much does it cost to fix a locked car door?
Many factors determine how much it will cost to fix your car door, including what parts will be replaced and the various causes of the lockout.
So, giving a fixed price on how much it will cost to repair a locked car door can be difficult. The type of car you have will also determine the price range, as spare parts of vehicles vary in price.
On using a locksmith to do the job, the repair could include the service cost of the locksmith and the cost of the repair.
How complex the job is could determine the labor cost. Getting a locksmith to do the job should cost between $75 – $220, which might sound like a lot, but there’s no guarantee you will get your car door fixed.
The most expensive thing you can do is get your vehicle towed to your dealership to do the work. First, you have to pay the toll fee. Then, there’s the set price of the dealership.
Well, looking on the bright side, your locked car door will surely be fixed. However, you might not get your door fixed as quickly as when using an auto locksmith. We estimate the cost of using a dealership to get your locked car door fixed to be somewhere around $200 – $650.
Final Words
Getting into a locked car door can be much more complex than you might think, so you have to know the proper techniques for opening a locked car door before even attempting it, and that’s what this guide has provided for you.
Read through each method in detail, as it’s crucial if you wish to successfully open your car door.
Be aware that none of these methods should be used in breaking into people’s vehicles; it’s a felony in most countries, and that can land you in prison.