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How do you unlock a Honda Civic steering wheel without the key?

My husband parked his Civic SE behind me in the driveway, but he’s out of town and took his keys. I want to put his car in neutral and move it, but the steering wheel is locked. How can I unlock a Honda Civic steering wheel if I don’t have the key?

avatar
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
What an unfortunate situation! Unlocking a steering wheel without a key won’t be easy, so you’ll want to thoroughly check your home for a spare. If you don’t have one, you would need to take apart the steering wheel column to unlock a
Honda Civic
steering wheel without the key.
Note that this is a job for someone with a high level of mechanical knowledge, so it’s best left to a professional. But if you’re comfortable working on cars, you can attempt to unlock the steering wheel by following these instructions:
  • Remove the column panels below the steering wheel. Some are snap-on while others may require you to remove screws.
  • Find the lock release tab in the ignition system using your owner’s manual. Press and turn the release tab and move the cylinder until it frees up.
  • Purchase and install a new ignition system. The parts cost about $50 to $60.
  • Replace the column panels.
In the future, you may want to think about adding roadside assistance or
towing and labor coverage
to your car insurance policy—it may be of use in times like this! To ensure you get the best price, download the
Jerry
app.
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