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How do you unlock a car from under the hood?
Is there any way to unlock my car from under the hood? I left my keys in the ignition while doing some work on the battery and somehow locked the doors with my keys inside. Since I have the hood open I was hoping I could open my doors without calling a locksmith.
Liz Jenson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Unfortunately, unlocking a car from under the hood isn’t usually possible. This is because the door lock relays and control unit are located inside of the car and a firewall between the engine compartment and the cabin blocks entry to the vehicle.
However, you’re not out of luck!
Before calling a locksmith
, you can try to unlock your door using a wire coat hanger or a tennis ball.To use a tennis ball, make a hole in the ball and place it over the keyhole. Then, push. The force of the air from the tennis ball should unlock the car.
If that doesn’t work, try using a coat hanger. Untwist the coat hanger, but leave a hook at the top. Then, work the hanger into the door and try to get the hook around the lock. If you can grab the lock and pull!
If this doesn’t work, call a locksmith to unlock the door. In the future, consider the
Jerry
app’s roadside assistance membership. This service provides you with a lockout service among other benefits. To find out if you’re eligible, check the app or call one of our friendly agents. You may qualify for a special rate of $50 for your first year!View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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