How To : Open Your Car Door Without a Key: 6 Easy Ways to Get in When Locked Out

Locking your keys inside of your car is frustrating, to say the least, especially if you’re in a hurry to get somewhere. You can always call AAA roadside assistance or a locksmith, but you’ll probably have to fork over some money, as well as wait for them to get to you. You might even get towed.

Luckily, there are a few DIY methods to unlock your car door when desperate, and I’m not talking about hoaxes such as using a cell phone or tennis ball. To pop your locks open when you don’t have your keys, try your shoelace, your car’s antenna, or even your windshield wiper.

These lockout tricks may sound unbelievable, but they most definitely work, though it all depends on your make and model vehicle. Newer cars and trucks will be harder to get into with automatic locks and security systems—but not impossible. You can at least try one of these lock-picking tips out before calling an expensive professional to do it for you.

Method #1: Use Your Shoelace

It may sound like an impossible task, but you can unlock your car door in a matter of seconds with nothing more than one of your shoelaces. Take off a lace from one of your shoes (another type of string will also work), then tie a slipknot in the middle of it that you can tighten by pulling on the string’s ends.

Hold one end of the string in each hand, slide it through the corner of the car door, and use a back-and-forth motion to get it down far enough so that the knot can slide over the doorknob. Once it’s in place, pull on the string to tighten it and pull up to unlock it.

This method won’t work for cars that have the locking mechanisms on the side of the door, but if you have a knob at the top of your door (like in the screenshots above), you have a great chance of getting this to work.

Method #2: Use a Long Rod

As long as you can pry the top part of your car door open at least a little bit, you can use a wooden wedge, air wedge, and a rod to unlock your car. Grab the wooden wedge first and slide it in through the top part of the door. To not damage the paint, put a cover (preferably plastic) around the wedge.

If you think you might be doing this a lot, invest in a set of wedges or an inflatable wedge, and a long reach tool.

Slide the air wedge in next to the wooden wedge and pump air into it to create more separation between the car and the door. Push in the wooden wedge the most you can until you have a sizable gap. Finally, slide the rod in through the door gap and carefully unlock your door via the locking mechanism on the side.

If you don’t have an air wedge, you could probably get by without it. It’ll be harder to do, but the following video makes it look easy.

Method #3: Use a Strip of Plastic

If you have the locking mechanism up top instead of on the side, you can use a strip of plastic instead, which may be easier than a shoelace. You will still need to pry the door open somehow, with or without an air wedge.

Method #4: Use a Coat Hanger or Slim Jim

One of the most common methods to unlock a car door is by using a modified wire coat hanger, which is a DIY slim jim. The principle is the same. This method works better for manual locking doors; for automatic locks, see one of the other methods.

With the help of some pliers, unravel the coat hanger so that you have one straight side and the other hooked, which you’ll be using to pull up the control arm inside the door that’s connected to the lock rod.

Next, slide the hanger down between the car window and the weather stripping until the hook is about 2 inches below where the window and the car door meet, near the interior door handle, which is where the control arm usually is. (You should look for a diagram online beforehand for your specific make and model vehicle, as the location can be different.)

Rotate the hanger until the hook is facing the inside and fish around for the control arm, which isn’t always easy to find. Once you’re locked in, pull up and the car door will open.

Again, the coat hanger trick only works on certain lock mechanisms, usually on older cars, so this most likely won’t work on newer model cars. For newer cars, you can still use a coat hanger, but you’ll have to stick it in between the door and the rest of the car (like in Method #2) to unlock it from the inside.

Method #5: Use Your Antenna

On older model cars with a specific style outer handle, like in the screenshot below, you can potentially unlock the door from the outside using nothing but the antenna from your car.

Just unscrew the antenna, carefully maneuver it up through the inside of the door handle, and move it around until the lock starts jiggling. Once you see you’re making a connection, push your antenna forward and the door will unlock.

Method #6: Use Your Windshield Wiper

You can usually remove your car’s windshield wipers pretty easily, but the method differs between each car model. No matter what car you have though, a windshield wiper might save you from having to call a locksmith to open your locked car door.

First, remove the wiper from the front of your car. If your window is slightly ajar, or you can wedge the door open, you maneuver it into the interior of the car. Use the wiper to either grab the keys on the chair or hit the unlock button on the side of the door (which I tried out successfully myself in the video below).

You can practically use anything long enough that fits through your window, but if you’re in a hurry and don’t see anything else around you that can fit through the crack, the windshield wiper is your best bet.

Which Worked for You?

Did you try out any of the methods above? Or do you know other DIY ways to unlock your car door? Let us know in the comments below!

If none of these worked for you, you could always try AAA roadside assistance if you’re a member (or call and sign up on the phone). They usually refund you some or all of the costs if you have to call a locksmith. If you don’t have AAA, you could try calling the police or local (university or mall) security. Cops usually have slim jims in their vehicles, but don’t count on it — helping you out is probably the least important thing on their to-do list.

If you don’t want to get locked out again, you could also invest in some magnetic key holders. Put a spare car key in there and hide it under your bumper.

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Open a Door Lock Without a Key : 15+ Tips for Getting Inside a Car or House When Locked Out

A spare key is one of those things that never seems like a huge deal until you need it. If you’ve ever lost your keys, had them stolen, or locked yourself out of your house or car, you know how difficult and embarrassing it can be trying to get your door open.

So, how would you open your car door without a key? And what about if you’re locked out of your house? Here are a few workarounds to help you get back in when you’re locked out.

Unlocking a Car Door Without a Key

The locking mechanisms on different types of cars vary pretty widely. All newer models have power locks with remote controls to open them, but older cars open only manually. Also, some vehicles have the locking knob on the inside top of the door by the window, and others have it by the handle.

Before reading on, make sure you know where your car door’s unlock mechanism is on both the interior and exterior of the door. It’ll impact which of these methods you may want to try.

Car Door Method #1: Use Your Shoestring

The first time I saw this, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It sounds too good to be true, but the car-opening tool you’re most likely to have on you at any given time is a shoestring. Unfortunately, this method only works on locking mechanisms that unlock by pulling up.

You’ll need to tie a small loop in the middle of the shoelace that, when placed around the locking mechanism, can be tightened. Work the string into the interior of the car through space where the door meets the car’s exterior, hook it around the lock, tighten the loop, and pull the string up. It may take more than once if you are not a pro like this guy, but it should work nonetheless.

Car Door Method #2: Use a Coat Hanger

The coat hanger method is one method I’m pretty familiar with—I remember watching my dad use a coat hanger to unlock his car a few years back. I will say that it took him a pretty long time, but he eventually got it, saving him a call to the local locksmith and probably a hundred bucks or so.

You’ll need a wire hanger so you can untwist it and make a hook that goes inside the weather stripping in the window. From here, you have to jiggle it around until you find the locking mechanism. It may take some time, but it’s worth the trouble when you’re desperate. If you have your phone handy, you can try googling your car’s door locking mechanism to figure out where to aim the hanger.

This method works with horizontal locks as well, since you’re working on the locking mechanism inside the door, not aiming too pull up or push down the button inside the car.

If you prefer plastic clothes hangers over metal, then you might want to try some other options.

Car Door Method #3: Use a Rod & Screwdriver

All you need is a Phillips head screwdriver, a steel rod, and 30 seconds. Any long and sturdy pole-type instrument will do, so depending on how much junk you have lying around, you may be able to find a good substitute. Use the screwdriver to pry open the door slightly, then stick the rod in and push the unlock button.

WARNING: Using any metal object to pry the door open can cause damage to your exterior and interior, so be cautious using this method.

If you don’t have the proper tools, it’s still a lot cheaper to buy them if you’re lucky enough to be stuck near a hardware store, rather than waiting around for a tow truck.

Car Door Method #4: Use a Slim Jim

No, not the beef jerky kind of Slim Jim. You’ve probably seen the car version of a slim jim used in hundreds of movies by thieves and for impromptu car break-ins, but it’s not just a Hollywood thing—it really works.

Again, this particular method requires an older style lock. You insert the slim jim into the interior of the car door the same way you would use the wire from a coat hanger, working the locking mechanism inside the door.

Car Door Method #5: Use an Inflatable Wedge

Using an inflatable wedge like Donnie Smith does help you avoid damaging the paint on your car and uses air to force the door open versus a metal object like the screwdriver method shown above. The wedge will create enough space to insert an access tool, a stick or rod, or some kind of coat hanger contraption, and all you need is patience and a steady hand to push or pull the unlock button.

Car Door Method #6: Use a Strip of Plastic

Aside from the inflatable wedge, Donnie also recommends using a plain old piece of plastic to get the job done. It’s pretty much just a long plastic strap which is bent in half and slid through the crack of the door. A set of plastic wedges would also work.

This method works for the pull-up type locks, or any unlocking mechanism inside the car that you can trigger with a stick, rod, or access tool.

For a lot of these methods, you could potentially make due with things around your house or already in your toolbox. You should also call around and ask friends and family if they happen to have any of these tools themselves.

If you have a habit of locking yourself out of the car, you could also invest in a complete lockout tool kit or a long reach tool kit. Or buy a set of wedges or an inflatable wedge, and long reach tool. What tools and methods work for you depend on what type of locks your car has, so make sure to check that against the methods above before buying anything. Also — make sure not to keep it in your trunk!

If you don’t want to get locked out again, you could also invest in some magnetic key holders. Put a spare car key in there and hide it under your bumper.

Car Door Method #7: The Hail Mary (AKA Tennis Ball)

In one of the coolest (and most debated) methods for unlocking a car door, a simple tennis ball could do the trick.

You’ll need to make a hole in the ball, so a heated electric drill or screwdriver would do the trick. Place the tennis ball, with the hole on top of the keyhole, and push. The pressure created in the ball will force your car to unlock. or so they say.

This tennis ball method has more than a million views on YouTube, but does it work? The team over at MythBusters decided to test it out for themselves.

As you can see, there are plenty of arguments on both sides of the debate around this method. If you want to find out whether or not it works, the best way to do so is to try it out. Let us know in the comments if you have any luck.

Car Door Method #8: Just Call AAA

If all else fails, there’s nothing wrong with getting a little help. AAA is probably the most well-known car assistance provider in the nation. If you have the service already, you can call and have someone come and help you within half an hour. Even if you don’t have the service, you can call in, become a member, and have someone at your car that same day.

Car Door Method #9: Use Police/Security Assistance

I recently locked my keys in my truck when I was visiting my old university. I called the public safety department, and an officer came and opened my door using a car opener toolkit. It was as easy as that. Thankfully, I was dealing with an organization I knew, and they weren’t busy at the time.

Calling the police is another possibility, but not one I would try unless you have no other options. While plenty of officers have the tools to help you, it’s never a high priority, and you could be wasting their valuable time by calling in. However, if you feel like you’re in danger staying where you are, they may be more willing to help.

Unlocking a House Door Without a Key

For locks on houses and other types of doors, the method depends on the type of lock. Older locks are typically easier to open without a key, while newer ones can be a bit more tricky.

House Door Method #1: Use a Bump Key

Bump keys are specially crafted keys that are used to unlock pin based locking systems, which are used on the vast majority of homes. Most pin systems are spring-loaded, and the ridges of the keys press against the corresponding pins, which then unlock the lock.

Bump keys are usually used for common home locks since most of these use a single-sided key. Since most cars have a double-sided key, these bump keys are generally not as useful on them. Check out this tutorial to find out how to make and use a bump key.

House Door Method #2: Use a Professional Lock Pick Tool

If you have a lock pick set, you can use it to break into your own house, as long as you know how to use it. You can buy a cheap lock picking training set, but if you don’t want to spend any money or don’t have the time to wait, there are a few ways to make your own.

House Door Method #3: Use Paper Clips

If you’ve got a couple of paper clips, you can turn them into a lockpick using a basic multitool.

House Door Method #4: Use a Butter Knife

A butter knife can also be turned into a makeshift lock pick. Check out the video below to see how.

This is only the first part of the tutorial, but you can find the rest here.

House Door Method #5: Use Bobby Pins

And of course, you can’t talk about lock-picking without bringing up the humble bobby pin. It’s one of the most common household items that can be used to pick many different types of locks.

However, if you don’t have a female in the house, you might not have any bobby pins lying around, so you might want to try out the butter knife or paper clips method.

House Door Method #6: Use a Credit Card

If you’re trying to get through a door with a standard spring lock—not a deadbolt—you can use a credit card or another flexible plastic card to open it. Just wedge the card into the gap between the door and the frame and bend it away from the knob.

If it’s the right kind of lock, it should come right open.

If Worse Comes to Worst, Just Call a Locksmith

If none of these methods work, the local locksmith will be fully equipped to help you get back into a locked house or car. Just remember to call around, because locksmith pricing varies pretty widely, and you could wind up paying 60 bucks for something that should have been $20.

Hide a Spare Key

If your neighborhood is fairly safe, there are many types of key hiders to keep a space in plain sight. Try this rock, a fake sprinkler head, or even a this cute turtle. No one will ever know your reptile friends hold a secret. If you’re a little warier about your neighborhood, hide a spare key in a lockbox or combination-locked key safe. Keep the combination in your wallet, car, or on your phone for emergencies.

Also, give friends, family or neighbors one of those copies of your keys, just in case. Not only can they check on your house while you’re out of town, but it could also save you from a costly locksmith call.

Other Ways to Unlock Locks Without Keys

Not trying to get inside a car or house? You can break into padlocks using a beer can shimmy, bust into suitcases using a pen, decipher combinations on Master combo locks, brute-force your way in to American combo locks, and even break into safes with a little know-how. For more information on this hacks, check out our previous guide on breaking into locks.

Know of any other cool methods for opening a car or house door without a key? Let us know in the comments section.

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10 Comments

I had an old car with knobs that needed lifting and the best tool to use was that semi-rigid narrow plastic tape you often find round photocopier paper boxes. The knobs had a wide top so by bending the tape into a loop and passing it through the gap in the door I could hook it over the knob , lift and open the door in less than two seconds. It was quite literally as fast as using the key 🙂

I will have to try this see if it works!

Very interesting article, seems like people won’t need to seek for help to locksmiths anymore and everyone is being a key expert. Number 7, car door method is very interesting, I love it and will must try in future. A bump key is not effective now a days as it was before. The paper clip method is very interesting. Anyway the whole article is very mattering to anyone.

Ok looking for how someone for into a modern car with something like a remote. (fool got seen on cctv)

My brother claims to of used something like a slim Jim to get into an 80s Vauxhall (GM for you americans)

I have seen info on how to «bump» a euro-cylinder lock but that destroys the lock. (see you tube)

I myself have credit carded a lock and if the jamb is not fitted properly or there is a fair bit of play it is quite easy.

At this place I had the mechanism fail and had to break in. A plastic door without dead bolts can often be pried (into from a locksmith) just squash the door towards the hinges this can cause the latch to pass the plate. (or try the same trick on a window.) Old style windows have less anti break in features.

The older the design open lock your try to break in to the less features it will have to stop you.

I like the site. The shoelace video is insane! The guy who unlocks the car with the steel rod is accurate, but I won’t let him open my car. The method is good but for Pete’s sake(!) how about putting something between the door (like a rag or anything soft) before you wedge the door open with the screw driver. Paint costs more than locksmiths.

To Paul Smith: Don’t always believe what you see on YouTube. The bumping wont destroy the pin cylinder locks. You just need the proper equipment, and also making a bump key isn’t something anyone can do.

P.S.: The tennis ball thing works on only on those cars where the central locking works with air pressure. The others wont open like that.

I just opened my car door with the shoelace method. It was in the middle of the night while it was raining. Nonetheless, huge sigh of relief.

to open a garage door with the manual lock to release the automatic door opener just use any thin piece of flat metal such as a bobby pin or street sweeper brush tine. wiggle up and down while turning opens

The string trick is absolutely the best, not only easy but doe not damage your car. AWESOME!

If you have an antenna that is removable by twisting if it’s long enough that could be used in the rod m ethod. Ive tried the string method with no success yet but am going to try tying a string around some cheap curtain rod holders that are to flimsy to pull the button up but maybe good enough to guide a string loop over it. Or maybe some of those cheap metal coated with plastic coat hangers to guide the string loop.

One more thing. I’ve used tree limbs that have fallen to the ground as wedges if there solid enough. My car is older so if I in a bind I don’t worry to much about the paint job just work I might puncture the gasket to much and cause a leak. Also the string method might work with a small tube with the loop coming out the end like they use in animal control on a upright knob or possibly it it could pull the handle. I’m thinking in the future to hide a key or hide some tools maybe in the windshield wiper bay or under the car somewhere.