Have you lost your keys? Are your keys locked in your car? Have you ever tried to unlock your car using a tennis ball? That may seem impossible or absurd, but there’s a video floating around on the internet demonstrating this method. In fact, there are many videos on the internet showing different methods for unlocking your car without a key.

It’s important to remember that trying to unlock your car on your own might lead to costly damage to your vehicle. This damage may include damaging the lock mechanism, damaging the interior panel of your car door, scratches to your vehicle’s door, and scratches to the car’s window tint. The damage to your vehicle may be expensive.

Here are the most common ways to unlock your car on your own.

Before we talk about the methods, here’s a little about my background. For the last 30 years, I’ve worked as a locksmith. I’ve unlocked hundreds, or possibly thousands of vehicle locks.

Use A Shoestring

There’s a video on the internet showing a man that was able to unlock his car using a shoestring. This method works best for vehicles that have a pop-up lock by the door near the window. You’ll need to know how to tie a loop tight. This type of knot can be tightened when it is in position around the pull knob. This is something that many people would not be able to pull off, especially since this is not a simple knot to make.

Coat Hanger

This is the most common method used by people trying to unlock their car without using a key. This is also one of the most damaging methods. If you’re like most people you don’t carry a metal hanger with you. Even if you did, it would probably be locked inside the car with your keys. The metal hanger can damage the tint on your windows and cause damage to the lock mechanism inside the door, which can lead to costly repairs.

Screwdriver and Rod

This method can be costlier in damage than a coat hanger. There’s a video showing how to use a screwdriver to pry the vehicle’s door away from the car’s body. A bent door won’t seal correctly which can cause leaks. Also, the screwdriver used to separate the door can damage your vehicle’s paint and the door’s frame. Professional locksmiths sometimes use a wedge on a door, but they are professionals who know how much force to use and where to use it, to avoid damaging the door.

Slim Jim

There are some cars that can’t be unlocked with this tool. However, like the coat hanger, if you don’t know the proper way to use a Slim Jim, you can damage your car’s lock mechanism.

Break the Window

Some people are in a hurry to get into their car and think if they break a small back window, believing it’s an inexpensive alternative to waiting and paying for a locksmith. This isn’t true. A small window can cost as much as $500 to replace, a regular window glass can be a few hundred. You may pay more if the window is t inted or treated. It may take as few as 15 to 30 minutes for a locksmith to arrive. Waiting for the locksmith is a better and less expensive choice.

Plastic Strip

There’s a video showing a man using a wedge and a folded piece of plastic to unlock his car. He pried the door apart and used the plastic strip to pop the knob at the top of the door. Unless you know exactly what you’re doing, and where to place the wedge, you damage your door and the seal. Also, this method only works on pop-up locks.

There’s a video showing a man using a wedge and a folded piece of plastic to unlock his car. He pried the door apart and used the plastic strip to pop the knob at the top of the door. Unless you know exactly what you’re doing, and where to place the wedge, you damage your door and the seal. Also, this method only works on pop-up locks.

Tennis Balls

This method is intriguing, but don’t try this on your car. Maybe one day we’ll do an experiment and share the video showing the results. This video shows a young lady burning a hole in a tennis ball. Then she places the tennis ball over the door’s lock. She pushed as hard as she could on the ball while maintaining the ball’s position. The pressure the ball created popped her lock. This seemed a little far-fetched to me, but I can’t say it doesn’t work until I’ve tried this method myself.

AAA

If you’re a member of AAA, they work with reputable professional locksmiths that provide unlocking services for member vehicles. You don’t need to own the car to use the unlocking service. The AAA member just needs to be present to use this member benefit.

Police

Some officers may have the tools necessary to open a car. However, these calls are not a priority and they use up a valuable city resource. This should be a last resort.

If you’re locked out of your house (because the house keys are with the car keys), leaving work, or are out shopping, you might now have access to the items you need for some of these techniques.

If you decide to call a locksmith, make sure you choose a licensed company. Get a price quote before the locksmith is dispatched to your current location. If you can’t get a price over the phone, call another company. Always ask the locksmith to see their license.