Unlock Your Car With Shoelaces
Many cars are now fitted with enhanced security features. Older models still often have post locks which are opened using simple techniques.
Some car manufacturers offer mobile apps to unlock your car. You can check with your automaker if this feature is available to you.
1. Shoelaces
Shoelaces may not be the best tool to use when you're locked out of your vehicle, but they can actually be quite helpful when you know how to use them. If you own a car that have the locking tab mechanism which slides vertically up and down, usually by the window, there is a simple trick you can try to unlock your car with just shoes.
Then tie a slip knot in the middle of two shoelaces. Bring both ends together and create a loop that runs 3/4 of the way along the shoelaces. Place the noose in the crack that exists between the frame of your car and the door. Then, move the shoelace until it is able to connect to the lock mechanism. It might require some trial and error to get the shoelace hooked. Once it is you're done, pull both ends up to unlock your car.
When using this method the most important thing to bear in mind is to not scratch or damage your vehicle. You can save money by employing this method instead of calling a locksmith or a roadside assistance.
This method is an excellent alternative to more abrasive methods, such as using a hanger, which can scratch your car. However, it may not always work, particularly on more sophisticated models. If your vehicle's locking system does not respond, you could need to use the screwdriver or long wooden bar to pry it open.
2. Coat Hanger
Locked out of your car is one of the most stressful experiences of the modern world. Many people have seen their uncle or father use a coat hanger to open the car door when they were younger, but this method can be a bit dangerous and might not work on all vehicles. Utilizing a hanger for opening your car may damage your door frame and could be prohibited in certain states.
A simple coat hanger made of wire can be used to help unlock a car by slipping it in the space between your door and the door frame. Slide the hanger down into the gap and bend it into the shape of a small "V" shape so that it has a good grip on the post of the lock. Pull it up and you will release the pin that controls the lock. It is possible to move the hook back and forth several times before you find something that moves the lock but it shouldn't take too much effort to lift the bar.
If you're not able to get the hook of the coat hanger out of the control arm, you can try putting it in between the window and stripping. The hook end of the hanger could be required to locate the area. Once you have found it move it around until you hear the door unlock. This is a risky method however, it could be a reliable method to gain access to your vehicle without a key or assistance from a professional. If this doesn't work you can always call an emergency roadside assistance service or locksmith for assistance.
3. Wooden Wedge
A slip of the fingers or a little bit of negligence can leave you without keys in a snap. And if you don't have the ability to contact AAA roadside assistance or locksmith services, you'll require something quick to unlock your car.
You can use any tool that can open up an opening between your frame and your door. For example you could use a screwdriver or a tennis-ball, or a coat hanger. You may have to squirt air into the gap to make it wide enough for your tool to fit through and reach the lock. Be careful not to scratch the car.
When they lock their keys in their cars, many people grab a pair of pliers or another tool. It's best to choose a tool that won't scratch your aluminum trim or paint. Inflatable wedges are the best choice for this job, and come in a range of sizes that will fit on most doors.
Another option is to use an extended strip of plastic folded in half, for example grocery bags. Place the strip inside the door that you have opened, and when it is inside the lock then wrap it around the knob and pull it upwards. This method is a little messy but it's a lot faster than a coat hanger or a screwdriver that can be difficult to control.
If you have a more modern vehicle, the lock mechanism may not be in the traditional handle on the outside, but rather in the middle of your window, close to the weather seal. To unlock a vehicle using this type of lock, you'll need bend the wire hanger's tip to form hook. Place it in the gap between the door and window (or weather stripping), until it reaches the switch or lever that locks.
4. Air Wedge
Repo and locksmith professionals utilize air wedges like this one by HPC to make more room around the window frame of the car so that they can enter tools easily. They are also an excellent method to avoid damaging the vehicle while gaining access without a key.
The air pump wedge operates by sliding between the door and the door's weather stripping into the proper position when pressure is applied. A hand pump manual is then used to fill a bag that separates the door of the vehicle from its window, forming an opening large enough to fit a car unlocking tool. This makes it simple to break the lock mechanism manual and unlock a car door without using a key.
A good air wedge will include a stiffener to prevent it from collapsing when it's pumped up, and a release valve to prevent over-inflation. It will also have a tough, non-marring, vinyl bag that is designed for a variety of uses. These wedges are best when used with a long-reach automobile door unlocking tool or a picker that can be put in the wedge.
This method is not recommended to open a car door by an individual. This could result in damage to the vehicle that would require expensive repairs at a body shop. It is also not a safe method to open your car if you have locked your keys inside.
It is suggested that people who are stranded in their car call a professional roadside assistance service for help. They will send a technician trained and experienced with the correct tools to open the car door without causing any damage. These experts can also assist with battery replacement, towing and more.
5. Rod
A rod is a long, thin metal piece that is typically tapered or cylindrical. It is a support for another object. It can be used in cars to create a gap in which you can reach the keys and unlock the doors. This technique can be difficult to use but it's worth trying. If you're lucky, it'll work.
If you're uncomfortable trying to open your own car or garage, you could ask a friend to do it for you. unlock car door service can also hire an auto locksmith. You can find locksmiths in your area through the phone book or internet. Another option is to get an AAA membership, which comes with roadside assistance. This service will dispatch an individual to your location fast and can open your vehicle with no hassle.
A lot of newer cars have security features to stop people from breaking in without a key. Older models are easier to get into. To unlock these vehicles, you need to use a coat hanger, or a rod. To do this, you must separate the coat hanger at its hook and bend its straight side to form the shape of a hook. Slip the hook behind the weather strip and into the door slit to create an opening. Then, insert the rod and then move it until you can depress the door-lock switch or slide it.
Certain automakers have apps for smartphones that help unlock your car when you are locked out. BMW and Hyundai, for example offer lockout applications that allow you to unlock your vehicle using the smartphone's screen. Other automakers, like General Motors, have an OnStar program that can help you unlock your car if it's locked out. You'll need to have an iPhone 11 or newer or Apple Watch Series 5 with the most recent version of watchOS and be within Bluetooth range.