LockoutsAugust 22, 2025

What NOT to Do When You're Locked Out of Your Car

YouTube tutorials show creative solutions. Most damage your vehicle. Here's what to avoid.

5 min read

Coat hanger and slim-jim videos make car entry look easy. In practice, both damage the wiring inside modern door panels. Door lock motors, power window relays, and airbag wiring are all in the path of a slim jim.

Smashing a window seems extreme but is sometimes the cheapest option compared to repairing wiring damage. The cost order: professional lockout ($100) < small window replacement ($150–$300) < door wiring repair ($300–$1,500).

Pouring hot water on a frozen lock won't help — the water refreezes in the mechanism within minutes. Use a lock de-icer or move the vehicle to a warmer location.

Lubricating sprays (WD-40) in lock cylinders attract dust and gum up the mechanism over time. Use proper graphite lock lubricant instead.

Don't pay someone to 'tow your car to a locksmith' — the towing cost adds insult to injury when a roadside lockout call costs the same as a typical shop tow.

Quick Tips

  • Don't use slim jims — they damage modern door wiring
  • Coat hangers similarly damage door electronics
  • Cold-weather frozen locks: de-icer, not hot water
  • WD-40 in lock cylinders attracts dust — use graphite
  • Roadside lockout call ($100) beats window replacement ($150–$300)

Need roadside help right now?

Flat $100/hr, 24/7 dispatch, no membership.

Book Your Roadside Assistance Today

Done Reading? Let's Get Your Help on the Way.