How to Unlock a Car with a Coat Hanger

If you have locked your car keys in the car or misplaced them and find yourself locked out, you can use a coat hanger to unlock your car. It requires a little patience and a relaxed mental attitude, but it's not difficult to do.

Things You'll Need

  • Wire coat hanger
  • Straighten out the coat hanger but leave the "hook" end intact.

  • Insert the hanger under the rubber molding on the left side of the passenger side window, and attempt to locate a pin inside the car door's frame. The pin is located toward the center of the door in most vehicles.

  • Tug lightly and pull up on the hanger when you find the pin.

  • Reinsert the metal coat hanger from the top of the window if you can't find the pin. Maneuver it through the rubber molding around the window's edge.

  • Guide the metal coat hanger onto the lock and carefully push it to unlock the car.