What Are Slim Jims?

The original Slim Jims were produced in the 1970s and today they are still useful on older cars. The device is a thin strip of metal with a notch cut out at the bottom. It slides down the car window into the door. The notch is used to catch a rod that runs inside the door and connects the lock and the lock buttons.

If the Slim Jim snags the rod and pulls it, the lock pops into the open position. More recent cars are produced with a shield that prevents Slim Jims from catching the rod. Apparently, a few people can still get the device to work on modern cars, but experts advise against it. The claim is, these people aren't using Slim Jims in the way intended, and it takes considerable skill to get the door to open.

Safety and Monetary Factors

Of course, it is possible to open a car using the ever-popular wire clothes hanger! Although crude, it can be used to snag a car door handle. On older cars, a loop formed at the end of the hanger can hook the lock button. On more recent models, there is no lip to hook on to; it is smooth, in order to foil exactly this type of entry.

Slim Jims are not usually a tool among locksmith supplies used on recent cars because of the danger of setting off a side air bag. This would be a dangerous and costly mistake! Another consequence of using them for auto keyless entry can be the mistaken snagging of a wire that helps power windows and locks. Although still good for use on older cars, Slim Jims are not recommended for more recent models.