The Slim Jim

• One of the most common tools for opening locked car doors is the Slim Jim or lockout tool. A Slim Jim is a long, thin strip of metal about 2 to 4 cm. wide; there are Slim Jims available for many different car models and makes. A Slim Jim is inserted between the weather stripping and the passenger door window; it is used to grab the lock rod. The lock rod is carefully manipulated until it flips over and thus unlocks the door.
  
  Slim Jims are not recommended for use on cars made after 1992 because there may be a variety of different function controls in the doors that could be damaged. Additionally, many newer cars have built-in defenses against the Slim Jim, like barrier blocks along the bottom of the window that prevent the insertion of a lockout tool. Slim Jims should therefore only be used by experienced professionals.
  
  

The Wire Hanger

• Another popular method involves the use of a wire hanger. The hanger is straightened with the hook end intact and used in a way similar to the Slim Jim. The hanger is inserted between the weather stripping and the passenger door and once the pin is located, the hanger is gently pulled up to unlock the door. It can be a very time consuming and frustrating method because the pin can be difficult to locate.
  
  

The Wedge Technique

• Due to the unreliability of the Slim Jim, many professional locksmiths employ a different method involving the use of plastic wedges and 3 to 4 feet of sturdy gauge wire. One wedge should be small while the other can even be a door stopper. Wedges that are solid plastic work best. The wire is straight with a 90-degree angle about half an inch from the end and something rubbery, like an elastic band, wrapped around the tip.
  
  Rather than inserting the wire between the weather stripping and the door window, this method involves inserting a wire into the side of the car door. The small plastic wedge is inserted in the gap at either the top or side of where the door and body meet. This makes a small opening for the bigger wedge. The bigger wedge creates an opening for the wire to be inserted. The wire is used to locate and trigger the unlock button inside the door; the rubber tip allows the locksmith to get a grip on the button. Experienced locksmiths can unlock your car in just a few minutes using this method.