Getting locked out of your car is more than a simple annoyance. You could find yourself stranded miles from home, with no means of transportation, with your keys dangling from the ignition, taunting you. Do you really have to pay an arm and a leg for a locksmith?

In most cases, the answer is no. There are better ways of getting into your car. Some methods might not be “better” but are certainly cheaper.

Before we go any further, a quick disclaimer: breaking into your car can cause damage and potentially even break the lock, so you should only take this action in extreme situations. 

Without further ado, let’s discuss how to unlock your car door and get back on the road.

First things first – make sure you’re well and truly locked out. Checking this might sound obvious, but maybe only your driver’s door is locked. You may be able to get in through one of the passenger doors and save yourself any further headaches.

While you’re at it, see if the trunk will open. If you’ve got a hatchback, this will give you direct access to the vehicle. In many other cars, you can fold down the back seats from inside the trunk and wiggle your way through.

In most cases, your car will come with a spare key. But this might not be very helpful, depending on your situation. Is there someone who can bring your key to you? Are you close enough to catch a ride to where the key is located? Weigh your options, and consider how much effort you’re willing to invest in order to help inform your decision.

The average charge for a locksmith ranges from $75 to $150, depending on your vehicle and local labor rates. Ask yourself whether you’d rather pay the fee or try to retrieve your spare key.

If you’re a AAA member, roadside assistance is a no-brainer. Simply call AAA and tell them you’ve locked yourself out, and they’ll send a locksmith your way as quickly as possible.

Many car insurance policies also include a roadside assistance package. Even if you don’t remember signing up for one, many comprehensive insurance policies include roadside assistance as part of the standard package. It doesn’t hurt to call your car insurer and find out.

If you don’t have roadside assistance or access to a spare key, you have two options: call a locksmith, or break into your car. Assuming you don’t want to call a locksmith, you can still try to unlock the door by sticking a tool inside and pressing the unlock buttons. Here’s how to do this:

Your unlock control might be a button or a switch, and it could be located on the driver’s door or somewhere on the center panel. If you have an older car, there might not even be a button – you may have to find a way to pull up the locking pin next to the window.

At the same time, figure out what tools you have available. If there are multiple buttons, decide which one is easiest to reach with your device of choice.

If you shut your door correctly, there won’t be a wide enough gap to insert a tool and reach an unlock button. Instead, you’ll need to create an opening of your own. Doing this is dangerous because it’s easy to damage your car. Try to make as small a gap as necessary to fit your tool into the vehicle. Force the door too far, and you could break the lock or even warp the door panel.

If possible, use a rubber or wooden tool to pry on the door. Doing this is less likely to damage the metal or mar your paint job. It also helps to work from the top of the door, as far as possible from the hinges. This area is the most flexible, and you’ll be able to create a wider gap without damaging the door.

You’ll want to work on the driver’s side door in most cases. If you’re left-handed, it can be easier to pry open the passenger’s side door. That way, you’ll be able to use your left hand to manipulate your tool.

Now that you have a gap, it’s time to insert your tool. If you’ve got access to one, a wire hanger is a preferable option. It’s long enough to reach almost any button and thin enough that you don’t need a wide gap. You can also bend the tip into various shapes for pushing or pulling.

You'll have to get creative if you don’t have a coat hanger. A thin metal bar can be a good choice, although it will be thicker and less flexible.

No matter what you use, you’ll need to be patient. You’re using an improvised tool, which will be frustrating. But eventually, the lock will hopefully click open.

You might be tempted to pull on the handle and open the door immediately. But don’t do it. With the wedge in place, your door’s locking mechanism is under pressure. If you pull the handle without relieving that pressure, the lock could break.

Instead, pull out your tool and your wedge first. Then you can open the door and get back on the road.

As you can see, breaking into your vehicle is not always necessary. With a bit of savvy, you can often avoid paying for a locksmith and damaging your car. And if worse comes to worst, now you know how to force your way into the vehicle.

Real insights from real owners

© 2022 J.D.Power. All rights reserved.

© 2019 J.D.Power. All rights reserved.