How to open a car window from the outside

If you have locked your keys in the car, or just you need to open your car and not have your key handy, you can still open the door without calling a locksmith or a technical lock if you have the right tools and directions to a police officer that you are not trying to steal someone’s car.

Explanation

Preparations

Check all doors and the trunk to make sure you cannot get inside through another route. The described process can be time consuming, and if done incorrectly could lead to paint scratches in several places.

Straighten the coat hanger or metal rod, ensuring that is several longer than the distance from the top of the doorframe to the location of the door latch inches.

Fold the bar at the top to create an identifier for use when handling the latch. Make a smaller hook on the opposite end. You may need to look inside the front door to determine the best way for the smaller hook.

Place a piece of cloth or rubber of a balloon or other small object for hook release your new device. Due to the length of the rod and the slippery nature of metal, you will have to have a little friction to hold the slider on the inside of the door.

Opening the car window

Most cars will be built so that you will not be able to accomplish this, in which case you have to open the door and move the window from the inside.

Insert the wedge at the top of the door so that a gap of about 1/2 inch appears. You may need to find another object to create a smaller gap before using the larger wedge or doorstop.

Maneuver the metal rod so that the small hook is drawing to a locking mechanism. Move so that the hook actuates the lock. You may have to look at the front door again, or enlist the help of a friend to guide the rod while you’re trying this.

Tips & Warnings

  • While you are legally authorized to unlock your own vehicle, the process may seem suspect to a law enforcement officer if he sees you. Having your record available may limit the problems with the opening of a car window from the outside on their own.