The best wedges can include putty knives and door stops, the thinner the better. Ideally, you want to open up only as much space as is necessary to insert your poker. Locksmiths use an inflating balloon to pump air and create space. [2] X Research source The best pokers include the antenna from the car, unscrewed, and a straightened wire hanger. [3] X Research source You might need a pair of pliers to straighten out the hanger, and consider doubling it up to have better control and pushing power when you get to the lock button. Pretty much any tool that is narrow enough to fit through the window crack and long enough to reach the lock button will work. These “pokers” are usually improvised tools to simulate the long reach tools sold in professional opening kits.
If you are concerned about damaging your car’s paint, cover the wedge with cloth or some kind of felted surface to protect the paint before beginning.
Pushing a button is one thing, but lassoing the pin is much more difficult. You’ll have to slip the loop over the head of the lock nub like a noose and pull up to unlock the car. It may take a few tries to get it.
Create your own by straightening out a coat hanger, leaving only the curved (hook) end in its original shape. You may need to use needle nose pliers to unwind the coat hanger to straighten it out, and double it over to reinforce it. Note that this method is not recommended for cars with automatic windows and locks. Those cars have a lot of wiring in their doors, which might get damaged in this breaking in process.
With your fingers, peel back this rubber strip back from the window slightly to expose the gap between the window and the outer part of the car door. Gently insert your straightened coat hanger, curved end first, into the gap between the window and the weather stripping. [6] X Research source
If you can look at the vehicle’s shop manual, you’ll be able to have a great sense of where the locking pin will be and how to access it. If you blindly dig around in the door, you do risk messing up the wiring and causing damage. Try to find out where the locking pin is before you insert the slim jim.
