How To Unlock Your Car Using Lock-Out Tools?

1 Common Cause For A Door Stuck In Locked Position

Usually, a locked door is a result of two problems. Either there’s an issue with the key or the car door lock assembly is not working. Some of the common causes for a car door lock that is stuck are as follows:

1. Broken Key Fob

Modern cars come with a key fob or a remote that allows keyless entry into the vehicle. You may not be able to unlock the vehicle because of a faulty key fob or drained batteries. Ensure the batteries are charged, the fob is not broken, has no internal issues, and is working properly. Often a simple battery replacement, using a manual key or a backup key fob, solves this problem.

2. Faulty Connection

The car door can also be stuck in a locked position due to broken connections within the door panel and the lock assembly. This can happen due to a broken link, lock cylinder, or locking rods. If any of these components are broken or disconnected, the door can remain shut, rendering the locking and opening mechanism non-functional.

3. Structural Damage

Car door getting locked after an accident is very common. This can happen due to a hard impact on the car doors resulting in a bent or disconnected latch making it impossible for you to open the car.

2 How To Open Your Car Door Using Lock-Out Tools?

There are several methods to open a locked car door handle without a key. But it is important to invest in a dedicated automotive lock-out kit that will allow you to get into your car like a professional. A lock-out kit comprises various tools like slim jims, flexible long reach tools, auto trim removal tools, and air wedge bags. These lock-out tools are designed to be flexible, safe and can be used on various types of vehicles with or without electronically operated doors.

How To Open Your Car’s Locked Doors Using A Slim Jim?

A slim jim is a thin strip of metal (usually spring steel) that features a notch on one end and a handle on the other. Slim jims are used for opening your car doors without picking your lock because they act directly on the levers and interconnecting rods that operate the locking mechanism. However, this tool works on cars that do not have electric locks. A slim jim can only be used on cars that feature upright locks that look like small cylinders near the bottom of the car side window. Usually, these types of car door locks can be found on older vehicles. Some newer models might also feature these locks but then they might also have electronics, wires, and even airbags which make the use of slim jims difficult and unsafe. Using slim jims on the wrong type of locks can seriously damage your car.

• Start the process with the front passenger door instead of the driver-side door. 
• Take a wedge or one-hand jack and carefully insert it vertically downwards between the car’s window and the weather stripping. This will create enough space for you to insert the slim jim. A car’s window seal or weatherstripping is the rubber strip that runs between the car’s door and the window.
• With the notched end first, slowly slide the slim jim in the space created by the wedge. Slide the tool in and gently glide it along towards the keyhole so it aligns with the mechanism behind it.
• Watch for the movement in the locking mechanism and observe if the lock near the bottom of the window starts vibrating. Keep the slim jim vertical to avoid any contact with other parts behind the door panel.
• Now gently pull up the slim jim. As you do that, you might also feel the notched end of the tool grabbing the locks or rod that open and control the lock. The door and the lock should open as you pull up the slim jim.
• If it doesn’t work, try again applying the same methods as discussed above with different movements after inserting the slim jim. You might also want to bend the slim jim a little to gain better access to the locks behind the door.

How To Open Your Car’s Locked Doors Using Lock-out Tools?

To unlock a vehicle equipped with electronic unlock buttons or handles located on the doors, you will need an inflatable wedge or air jack. An air wedge is used for creating space between the doors and the frame so you can insert a long reach tool and access the unlock buttons located on the inside section of the doors.

• Locate the unlock button inside your car. Usually, it is located on the driver-side door panel, which is used for unlocking all the doors at once.
• Identify what kind of buttons they are and if they need to be pulled or pressed.
• Now use a plastic wedge from the lock-out kit and insert the sharp end between the door and the frame near the B pillar. This will create a little space between the door and the frame so you can insert the inflatable wedge bag. Do not try to pry the door while inserting the plastic wedge, as this can bend the frame of the door. Also, take precautions while inserting the wedge so you don’t tear away the car door seals.
• Now once a little gap is created between the door and the frame, slide an inflatable air wedge bag between the space and inflate it up. This will gradually increase the gap between the door and the frame so you can insert a long-reach tool to access the switch.
• If the space isn’t enough for your tool to go through, place another air wedge bag on the top of the door and inflate it. With two inflated bags in place, there should be enough space to get your tool through. The gap is big enough if you can easily slide your fingers in.
• Use the long reach tool and insert it via the gap to reach the door switches. Press the door switch to unlock all the doors. Some cars, that are equipped with anti-theft systems, will not allow you to open the cars using just the unlock switch. For that, you might have to operate the handle. Furthermore, some cars have the unlock button located on the dashboard. If that’s reachable with the help of a tool, you can try that as well.
• Try placing the long reach tool behind the car door handle and by rotating the tool you can crank it open. These lock-out kits are improvised tools, so you will have to play around and try different movements until you can open the handle from the inside.
• If your keys are inside the car and you can see the key fob, a simple and easy way is to try reaching the unlock button on the fob to unlock the car.

Every day several people around the country pay thousands of dollars to locksmiths after getting locked out of their vehicles. Lack of professional car opening tools and in-depth information into how to reach into your car in such a  situation leaves people with the only option to call roadside assistance or a professional. If you have locked your keys in the car and you are unable to get in, simply follow the methods mentioned in this guide. This helps you save a lot of money and prevent damage to your vehicle by trying unconventional and unprofessional methods. There are a lot of ways to get into the vehicle but ensure that you avoid dangerous options like breaking the car window. Now once you have unlocked your vehicle you can get back on the road without worry!

3 FAQs

How to Make a Slim Jim Tool?

Here’s a guide on how to make a slim jim tool:

1. Look for a long, thin, and durable object around your house. A metal ruler is ideal, but a thin piece of plastic banding or a wire hanger will suffice.
2. Use a blade to carve a notch approximately a half-inch deep into the ruler’s edge. This notch will serve as a hook, adding utility to the Slim Jim’s end. If you’re using a hanger, untwist it and shape the hook into a size that will fit around your door latch.

Please note that the slim jim tool is primarily used to aid in unlocking a vehicle door without the need for a lockpick or a key. However, reckless use of this tool makes the lock completely worthless, and it rarely works even with a key. If you discover this, you should know that someone has most likely attempted to open your vehicle. Some modern car models thwart slim jim’s attempts by concealing the lock cylinder and functioning rods so that the tool cannot reach them. Others have barrier blocks built at the base of the window to keep slim jim out. You can contact a locksmith if you’re still uncertain whether your car has the proper locks for a slim jim.

What Can I Use to Unlock My Car Door? / What Can I Use to Unlock My Car Door?

If you have locked yourself out of your car, there are several ways to unlock the door without a key. Here are some methods you can try:

1. Use a shoelace: This method works only on cars that have a traditional, post-type door lock with a small knob at the top. Tie a slipknot in the middle of a long, sturdy string such as a shoelace. Use a doorstop or a thin piece of wood to gently pry open a space between the top of a front door’s window frame and the vehicle body (as far rearward on the upper door frame as possible). Insert the string into the car through the gap and loop it around the lock knob. Pull the string upwards and towards the back of the car to unlock the door.
2. Call a locksmith: If you have a membership with the American Automobile Association (AAA), you can get assistance from a locksmith by placing a call to this organization. Free lockout service is one benefit of AAA membership. You can also call a locksmith directly—some will take on car lockouts—but of course you’ll have to pay out of pocket for their services.
3. Use a slim jim tool: A slim jim tool is primarily used to aid in unlocking a vehicle door without the need for a lockpick or a key. However, reckless use of this tool makes the lock completely worthless, and it rarely works even with a key. If you discover this, you should know that someone has most likely attempted to open your vehicle. Some modern car models designs thwart slim jim’s attempts by concealing the lock cylinder and functioning rods so that the tool cannot reach them. Others have barrier blocks built at the base of the window to keep slim jim out. You can contact a locksmith if you’re still uncertain whether your car has the proper locks for a slim jim.

What is an Open Door Anti Lock Out?

The Open Door Anti-Lockout feature is a safety feature that is available in some cars. If this feature is enabled, it prevents the driver from locking the keys inside the car. When the driver’s door is open and the vehicle is off, and locking is requested, all the doors will lock and the driver door will unlock. This way, if you lock your keys in and lock the door from inside the car and go to close the door, it re-opens instead.

Please note that this feature may not be available in all car models. You can check your car’s owner’s manual or contact your car dealer to see if your car has this feature.

What Does a Slim Jim Look Like?

A slim jim is a long, thin metal tool with a hook on one end. It is primarily used to aid in unlocking a vehicle door without the need for a lockpick or a key. The slim jim is inserted between the car window and weather stripping, wiggled around, and used to unlock the car door. However, it is important to note that reckless use of this tool makes the lock completely worthless, and it rarely works even with a key. If you discover this, you should know that someone has most likely attempted to open your vehicle. Some modern car models designs thwart slim jim’s attempts by concealing the lock cylinder and functioning rods so that the tool cannot reach them. Others have barrier blocks built at the base of the window to keep slim jim out. You can contact a locksmith if you’re still uncertain whether your car has the proper locks for a slim jim.

How to Use a Slim Jim on Newer Cars?

Using a slim jim on newer cars can be challenging because modern car models designs thwart slim jim’s attempts by concealing the lock cylinder and functioning rods so that the tool cannot reach them. Others have barrier blocks built at the base of the window to keep slim jim out. However, if you still want to use a slim jim, here are some general steps you can follow:

1. Determine if your car has the right locks for a slim jim: Make sure your car has upright locks that look like small cylinders and are found near the bottom of the car window, where it meets the door. Note that these locks are usually found on cars manufactured in 1992 or before. If your car was made afterwards, it might still have these locks, but the car door may have electronics, wires or even airbags that make using a slim jim more difficult.
2. Insert the slim jim: Approach the car’s passenger side door. Insert a wedge between the car window and weather stripping. Slide the slim jim in the space made by the wedge. Slide the notched end first, in towards the car lock. Align the slim jim with the lock, pushing down towards the keyhole, which is usually located at the rear of the door. Make sure to insert the slim jim slowly, making sure not to catch on anything on the way down.
3. Unlock the door: Once the slim jim is in place, use it to manipulate the lock mechanism. You may need to wiggle the slim jim around a bit to get it to catch on the lock. Once you feel the slim jim catch, pull it up gently to unlock the door.

Please note that reckless use of this tool makes the lock completely worthless, and it rarely works even with a key. If you discover this, you should know that someone has most likely attempted to open your vehicle.

Where Can I Buy a Kit to Unlock My Car?

You can purchase a car lockout kit from several retailers such as PartsAvatar.

Can You Pick Lock a Car Door?

Yes, it is possible to pick a car lock without a key. However, it is important to note that picking a car lock without the owner’s permission is illegal and can result in criminal charges.