4 Types of Car Open Services

car keys locked in car lockouts can be a hassle and threatening, but attempting to break into your car with improvised tools could cause injury and damage to your vehicle. Contact a professional service such as HONK instead of attempting to get back into your car.

It happens to everyone, but if you leave this job to the pros it will ease your frustration while saving your money. Learn five ways that a locksmith can easily unlock your vehicle.

1. Slim Jim

A Slim Jim is a piece of metal that is shaped into an odd-looking strip. This slim tool may look like a snack, but it's only used for one purpose: to unlock locked car doors. The locksmith will slide the thin, flexible metal between the window and weatherstripping in order to open the lock. This isn't a foolproof method, and is only suitable in an emergency. This device could damage your car's electrical and airbag system if used incorrectly.

The notched end of the Slim Jim is used to access the control bar in the lock of your vehicle's door. It can be pushed downwards or pulled up, depending on the type of lock. The locksmith is also able to alter the locking mechanism of your vehicle's doors without needing to turn the ignition key.

This method is a good fit for older cars, since the majority of newer models utilize cables or electronic links to operate their locks. The use of the Slim Jim on modern locks can cause them to activate or deploy side airbags so it's best to leave it to a professional locksmith.

There are some things you can do to prepare for a car opening service using a Slim Jim. Find a long, thin tool at home. A metal ruler or a wire hanger are great examples. You'll need pliers to hold the device. Insert the notched side first then push the tool downwards into the car's lock. Be on the lookout for any movement. When you notice the lock begin to move, you can start pushing it upwards until the door opens.

2. Long Reach Tool

This long reach tool for opening doors to cars is perfect for gaining access to pull handles in recessed, tight spaces. It is designed that allows users to bend in any direction without putting too excessive pressure. The soft coating helps protect the paint and weather stripping, and it folds for small storage. It also includes an additional window wedge for leverage, and a variety of properties to protect your customer's vehicle during the unlock process, including a plastic strip, rubber tip, and paint protector.

The majority of vehicles come with shielded cables for locking, electronic doorlocks with tight tolerances for weather strips, and laminated window. However, the old-fashioned lock button and lever handles can be moved if they are properly wedged into an open position. These new long-reach tools can be a fantastic solution to solve the problems of today's locking mechanisms.

The right tools can help you solve your customer's vehicle lockouts swiftly. Making investments in a few wedge tools and long reach tools will save you time and cash from the unnecessary call-out costs. If you're working with customers your professionalism will set you apart from other service providers that don't make use of the appropriate tools. The more you utilize the tools, the more easy it is to fix locks on all makes and models.

3. Broken Key Extractor

A key extractor is an instrument used to extract a broken piece of the key left inside a lock. Key extractors come in different sizes and shapes, but they are generally small hooks with sharp tips. The hooks are put into the lock to search for nudges to hook a lost part out. You can find one in a kit with a lock pick and other essential tools. Choose a set with soft handles and a durable material.

Apply a spray lubricant prior to using the key extractor. This will allow the key extractor to slide through the lock and locate the damaged segment. It is also helpful to align the lock cylinder in a locked or unlocked position, which makes it easier to retrieve any broken pieces. Once you've found the broken part then slowly twist the extractor and pull it out to remove the broken piece.

Look for a broken-key extractor that comes with a lockpick, as well as other essential tools. This will ensure that you'll have everything you need in the event that your car key breaks. The key extractor should be equipped with a small hook or a sharp end, that is easy to grasp. It's also important to take into consideration its length so that it can fit into your keyhole.

Instead of tackling the issue of a broken key by yourself it is best to contact an experienced locksmith. They will be able to fix the issue quickly without causing any further damage to your car. Low Rate Locksmith offers a mobile service that is available 24 hours a day. Their experts utilize specialized equipment to safely extract the key and offer key duplication on site for a complete and easy solution.

4. Wedge

Wedges have been used for a long time by humans to hunt (like spears) to cut wood and stones to split logs, cut rocks, and hold objects in their place. A wedge is made up of two planes that are angled and meet at the edge. It can be used to cut solid objects.

The wedge is also found in many different tools and machines for a variety of purposes, such as cutting, slicing, and holding objects in a certain position. Door stops that are wedge-shaped work by changing the direction of the force input, which helps keep the door from being pulled open.

Professional locksmiths use wedges to unlock a vehicle body or door. It is essential to know the proper amount of force to apply, and the best place to put the wedge to avoid damaging it. If you apply too much force or put the wedge in the wrong place, it could cause damage to the vehicle or door. The most suitable place to place the wedge is in the large gap between the car door and the body of the vehicle, usually near the top of the rear corner of the door.

It is important to remember that doors in modern vehicles have more "give" due to the roll-over and side-impact safety standards that were introduced 10 years ago. This is why an inflatable wedge will be able separate the frame from the door and permit you to insert the slim jim to unlock the vehicle without causing damage. Remember, don't forget to deflate the wedge prior trying to remove it. If you don't, you could accidentally re-pin the rod tightly and cause further damage. This also makes the whole process more time consuming because you'll have to spend a few minutes waiting for the wedge to return to its original state.