Is There a Car Lock Pick?

Opening a locked car door without a key is a locksmithing specialty. On building locks, picks and tension wrenches are the common tools used. However, most modern cars have high security locks on their doors, unlike house locks.

Picks may be used by some in the lock picking business, but there are many kinds of tools designed to deal with auto keyless entry. If a car lock pick is considered broadly, jiggler keys fit the bill. These require a locksmith skilled in impressioning. A blank key is inserted in a lock over and over so the locksmith can see the marks made on the blank by the pin tumblers. These indicate where cuts should be made.

Modern Specialty Tools

Tools of the trade include different kinds of wedges: soft, sliding, air wedges. Car door jam spreaders are wedges that come with manipulation rods for use once a slight opening has been created. Try-out sets of keys are available for use as a car lock pick. Each set is made for a particular brand of car.

Car manufacturers have increased car quality, and particularly, anti-theft features. The old Slim Jim worked very well on cars in the 1980s, but power systems with wires inside the doors and side air bags have made this tool extremely risky for use on new car models. Current cars have tighter doors and less space between the weather stripping and the window. Now, locksmiths use rods that are thinner and lighter and have been heat treated to give strength. The old car lock pick has been modernized along with cars.