How to use a jimmy tool

Note that these locks are usually found on cars manufactured in or before. If your car was made afterwards, it might still have these locks, but the car door may have electronics, wires or even airbags that make using a slim jim more difficult. Using a slim jim on the wrong type of locks could seriously damage your car. A locksmith might seem expensive, but the repairs on your car could be moreso. Part 2. However, professional locksmiths typically try opening the passenger side door.

Insert a wedge between the car window and weather stripping. The weatherstrip is the rubber strip running between the car door and window. Ideally, use a rubber wedge, as a wooden wedge could leave splinters and shards in your car door. Slide the slim jim in the space made by the wedge. Slide the notched end first, in towards the car lock. Align the slim jim with the lock, pushing down towards the keyhole, which is usually located at the rear of the door.

Make sure to insert the slim jim slowly, making sure not to catch on anything on the way down. Watch the lock for subtle movement. Make sure to keep the slim jim completely vertical, to avoid catching on any other mechanisms. Pull the slim jim upwards slowly until the door unlocks. Keep your motion slow and smooth to avoid causing any undue damage. Avoid making multiple attempts to open the door. Get a professional to open your car door and call a locksmith.

With an automotive lock pick. Normal picks will damage either the pick or the wafers. Not Helpful 9 Helpful The security system might prevent you from doing so. Try a long reach tool instead and go for the unlock.

Not Helpful 4 Helpful Can you use a slim jim on a Nissan Santra? The door locks aren't upright, but turn to unlock. Slim Jims work on upright car locks. For the locks in this car, you may need to look at alternate options. Not Helpful 12 Helpful As long as the locking mechanism is the same, there should be no problem. No, you cannot use a slim jim on a Pontiac Aztek. You will damage the parts inside the door. Not Helpful 2 Helpful 2. Not Helpful 11 Helpful 4.

I would not try it, the link is to high in the door. Go through the door with a thin plastic inch ruler and dental floss. Put a hole in the corner of the ruler and put the string thru the hole. Wedge the door and put the ruler thru the door, holding the string, and let the string go around the lock button. Pull up. If string comes off, make a slipknot around the lock button and pull up. Not Helpful 11 Helpful 1. It's a very bad idea to slim Jim any modern car.

You can damage the electronics and even worse, you may set of a side impact air bag that could potentially propel the slim Jim back at you, causing grave physical harm. Have a magnetic hide a key somewhere on your vehicle. Call a tow truck or locksmith. Not Helpful 5 Helpful 2. No, see other answers about modern door locks. You're likely to ruin the electronics or set off a side airbag. Not Helpful 1 Helpful 2.

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Consider calling a locksmith to unlock your car door. They are trained professionals who will be able to open your car with little risk of damage. Helpful 1 Not Helpful 3. Slim Jims come with notches in a variety of shapes. You can ask an employee at your auto parts store to suggest which shape would work best for your particular vehicle.

Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1. Carefully insert the slim jim hook side down between the window and weather stripping. Slide it over so that the hooked end is in the approximate vicinity of the door lock. Apply gentle pressure toward the back of the car while slowly pulling up. You're operating entirely by feel now, and what you're trying to feel is the hook on the slim jim catching the lock's control arm. Pull directly up when you feel the hook catch on something. If you've caught the control arm, you'll see the lock knob on the door raise and the door will unlock.

If this doesn't happen, keep trying. Slide the hook-end of the slim jim between the two sliding window panels just above the lock. Apply gentle downward pressure with the slim jim as you pull it back toward the side from which you inserted it. This should easily disengage the latch, and you'll hear the latch turn over when this happens.

Enter the cab through the rear window, if possible, and unlock the doors from the inside. Think carefully before you do this, as the rear window is not very big and is not designed for people to climb through. With that in mind, a slender person may be able to do this easily, so consider enlisting the help of a small-ish friend. You may be able to lean in through this window far enough to reach the lock knob or power lock switch without actually entering the cab.

Step 1 Check your owner's manual to see if your F has side impact airbags, as many late model Fs do. Step 2 Approach the passenger side door, as the driver side door contains more wiring and electronics, which poses a higher risk of accidental damage. Step 3 Carefully insert the slim jim hook side down between the window and weather stripping.