Keys Locked in Car? Learn How to Open The Door Yourself

Keys locked in car? Learn how to open the door without a locksmith

So you locked your keys in the car and you don’t want to spend the money on a locksmith. No problem. Here are some DIY ways to open the door yourself any time your keys are locked inside.

Open the door with tools from the home center

Buy these tools from your local home center

• Inflatable shimming bag
• Package of composite shims
• 3″ Axe handle wedge
• A long steel rod that’s thick enough to hold its shape but thin enough to be bendable
• Long zip ties

Winbag® 8-1/2″ Shimming Tool Model Number: WB2040CS Menards ® SKU: 4334202 $20.98

Nelson 7-1/2″ Composite Shims – 12 Pack Model Number: Composite_Shim_4334210 Menards ® SKU: 4334210 $2.19
Baker Pro Tools Replacement 3″ Axe Wedge Model Number: 11WP Menards ® SKU: 2481423 $1.69

1/8″ steel rod

Buy a length of 1/8″ steel rod. Bend a loop into it to grab the door handle or lock

Step 1: Use the shims or axe wedge to open the door frame just enough to get the inflatable pump-up shimming tool between the door and the pillar. Pump up the shimming bag to keep the space open enough to fit the rod into the cabin

Step #2: Bend a curve into the rod so it can reach the door handle.

Step #3: Connect a zip tie to the end of the rod and insert the rod into the cabin. Hook the zip tie onto the door handle and pull it open to open the door.

Buy professional Door-opening tools

STECK Manufacturing makes a complete lockout kit—the BigEasy. I’m not posting this to help you steal cars because once you get inside, you still have to defeat the anti-theft mechanisms that are standard on all late-model vehicles. If you know how to defeat the anti-theft mechanisms, you already know how to break into the door. So don’t write to me and whine about why I posted this.

The BigEasy lock-out kit consists of several parts.

First, there’s the nylon non-marring wedge. You insert the wedge at the very top corner of the door – its weakest point. Push the non-marring wedge in  past the weather stripping.

Then, insert the Easy wedge and pump it up to hold the corner open.

Next, insert the BigEasy lock knob lifter and the plastic protector to lift the unlock button or remove keys from the ignition. Purchase the Big Easy loop to grab a door handle.

©, 2015 Rick Muscoplat