How to safely hack into your own car
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If you have locked your keys in your car, you may have to break into the car to get them. Use a hanger or thin metal tool to open a locked car door.
Getting out of the car is quite easy, and if the key is lost or locked inside the car without a spare toolkit, then there is a real problem.
Sometimes people were forced to take extreme measures to get the keys locked inside the car, some even going so far as to break one of their own windows. Tempered glass is processed in such a way that it shatters into thousands of pieces when broken, so that large pieces of glass do not shatter in an accident. You can avoid the hassle and expense of breaking a window and cleaning up broken glass if you know how to break into your own car the right way.
There are a few methods you can try as they don't require special equipment and can be done by people with little or no plumbing experience. Calling a professional locksmith is usually an option, but there may be a long wait or professional locksmiths may not be available nearby.
- A warning: If a child or pet is stuck inside the vehicle, call the police or fire department to get them out as soon as possible.
Unless the situation is an emergency, take your time with any of the necessary steps. Do not open the door by force. Damage to the doors or the locks themselves turns the inconvenience into a serious problem.
- A warning: Do not use these instructions to illegally break into a vehicle. On top of the fact that felonies are not recommended, all of the methods listed here have a high chance of triggering a car alarm. Luckily, if the police do show up, that could completely solve the problem. Most policemen carry a strong airbag with them, with which they can open the door and gain access to the lock.
Method 1 of 4: Unlocking a door with a manual lock from the inside
With a tool such as a wedge (professionals use a powerful airbag), you can open the top of the door wide enough to use a metal rod to bypass the locking pin and pull the pin up, thereby unlocking the door.
- Functions: In most cars, you can open the door by inserting a thin metal rod or curved hanger and use it to unlock the doors.
It is important to use the technique that is appropriate for the particular type of car lock. There are two main types of locks:
| Types of car locks | |
|---|---|
| Lock type | Unlock procedure |
| Manual locking | Have fewer parts and wires to frustrate someone who tries to open the lock from outside the car. Less complex signaling systems Easier to reach and pull when opening the door |
| Automatic blocking | More safe Probability of connection to the alarm system Need to unlock with remote control button |
Step 1: Use a wedge or tool to hold the door space open. Find something thin to open the gap at the top of the door, between the car body and the door frame or window.
- Functions: For this purpose, you can use a spatula, ruler or even a door stop.
Step 2: Insert the tool into the door gap. Insert the tool into the space between the car body and the top of the door on the side opposite the hinge (this corner can be pulled out the most). Open the space with your fingers to make room for the tool.
Step 3: Keep inserting the tool until it becomes visible. Gently move the tool down and into space until it is visible through the window.
- Attention: Be careful not to tear or damage the seal when inserting the instrument.
Step 4: Make a hook. You can now craft a tool or hook to grab the lock pin. A clothes hanger works well, but you can use whatever is on hand.
- Attention: The end should wrap around the bottom of the pin and pull it up to open the lock. This is tricky and it may take a few tries to find the right "lasso" for the locking pin.
Step 5: Open the lock with a hook. Use a wedge to make room large enough to fit the tool in the machine. Grasp the lock pin with a tool and pull it until the door opens.
- Functions: Depending on the car and lock type, it may take a little patience to get into the car. Trial and error may be the most effective way to solve a problem. For this reason, it is recommended to contact a professional to resolve the problem, unless the situation is an emergency.
Method 2 of 4: Unlocking an automatic door from the inside
In the case of automatic locks, the difficulty of unlocking from the outside is determined by two factors:
- How easy or difficult is it to tear the door off the car body
The location of the button or switch that controls the locks
Attention: In a non-emergency situation with a car that, for example, has only an "unlock" button on the center console, it may be easier to call a specialist. If the button or switch is accessible, you can get into the car relatively easily.
The steps to separate the top of the door from the body are the same as with manual locks: just use a wedge or other long, thin tool to make a space, and then use another tool to press the "unlock" button.
Step 1. Determine how the locks are activated. Automatic locks can be activated in several ways. Check if the unlock button is on the center 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 driver's side armrest and a straight metal bar or other tool can be used to reach the button and press it to unlock the door.
If there is a switch or a button is not available, the tool may need a hook or loop on the end. Trial and error is the best way to find what works.
Functions: As with hand locks, a straightened coat rack works well for this purpose.
Functions: You can also unscrew the antenna from the car and use it to press the unlock button.
Method 3 of 4: unlocking the door from the outside
In some cases, it's faster and easier to make a locking tool (also called a Slim Jim) to unlock the door from the outside. This method requires a little more finesse and will most likely damage the protective insulation and/or wires inside the door.
- A warning: This method is not recommended for opening doors with automatic locks and/or automatic windows. A significant increase in the amount of wiring inside the door itself increases the risk of serious damage.
Here's how to use this method:
Step 1: Create the "Slim Jim" Tool. To sculpt a Slim Jim, it's best to use a clothes hanger or other long, relatively thin piece of metal and straighten it with a hook at one end. This is the end that will enter the door.
- Attention: If this tool bends under load, fold the hook in half and make the end that bends into the hook, as it is much stronger.
Step 2: Insert Slim Jim into the door. Since there are usually more wires in the driver's door, it's best to use this method on the passenger door. Insert the tool between the seal along the bottom of the window and the window itself.
- Functions: Lightly pulling the black seal back with your fingers will make this movement smoother and easier.
Step 3: Open the lock with a hook. The locking mechanism is located directly below the locking pin, so try using the hook to grab the inside of the locking mechanism by sliding the hook back towards the lock and pulling up once the hook hooks into the lock.
Functions: The mechanism will be about two inches below the bottom edge of the window.
AttentionA: This may take several attempts and some mechanisms may need to be pulled back towards the rear of the vehicle instead of being pulled up. Keep trying different movements until the lock disengages.
Method 4 of 4: access through the trunk
With manual locks there is a chance that the trunk will be unlocked even if the doors are locked. If so, then you can get into the car through the trunk.
Here's how to open the car through the trunk:
Step 1: Open the trunk. Look for any hole you can use to get into the car.
- Functions: This hole is usually located in the center of the rear seats.
Step 2: Move the rear seats forward. Look for something to press or pull on that will allow you to lower the rear seats and slide them forward. Many sedans have a cable that can be pulled for just this purpose. Look along the edge of the rear seats.
Step 3: Get in the car. Get into the car and open the doors manually.
- Functions: These techniques are certainly effective, but performing them, for example, in a parking lot, may arouse suspicion. Always keep your cool and have ID on hand in case the authorities show up.
If you use any of the above methods to open the car with the keys inside, you won't have to resort to breaking the window to get the keys back. If your car's trunk, door, or mechanical locking mechanism refuses to open/lock, have a certified mechanic, such as Your Mechanic, have the locking mechanism inspected.
