Sometimes we all face such a case when you forget keys in your car and the door is locked. And so you’ve got a dilemma: wait for a maintenance man or break the glass. So then slim jim comes to the rescue! A slim jim is a strip of metal with a notched end. A slim jim can be used to open locked car doors, depending on your make and model, in case they are locked with a fixed bolt. It’s important to keep the slim jim and know where it goes when you aren’t using it.
It’s easy enough that anyone can use one, but it may be helpful to have one around in case of an emergency. You can find a slim jim as part of a vehicle lock pick set that also includes a jiggler and rake pick.
Using the Slim Jim
- Insert the notched end of the slim jim between the gap at the bottom edge of your door window, and then twist it so it pops out on the other side. The notched tip will catch on the backstop bolt inside the door. You will be able to feel it when you do this correctly.
- Push the lever inside the car lock up with your finger, right at the base of the lever. A clicking feeling will be noted.
- Slide the slim jim off your door and out of sight before you unlock your car door with your outside key to avoid any suspicion if someone is watching you.
- Turn the outside key in your car’s lock while pushing on the inner portion of it, which moves up and down, but only bends slightly. The door should open as soon as you hear a click. If it doesn’t work after several tries, try inserting a different slim jim into the same slot where you inserted yours to see if it will work on a different bolt instead.
- Other things you can try to open a locked car door
All of these options are only available if the vehicle has five separate bolts on the door. If it doesn’t, then you will have to call a professional locksmith.
- Open your car’s door by inserting the slim jim into a different slot on the same bolt, but at a different angle. For example, if you inserted it from above the door and it didn’t work, try inserting it from below next time. This may help you find another place on that particular bolt that will unlock your car door for you.
- Use your outside key to push the door handle up and down. This should help you feel for a click on your own inside lock. If so, then use your outside key to unlock the car’s door. If not, then your slim jim has no effect.
- Put your slim jim in a different slot on the same bolt, but at a different angle next time you attempt to unlock that particular car door
Bottom line
Like any tool, the slim jim is only as good as the person using it. If you’ve never used one before, practice using it and using your outside key to open your door at home and close it again a few times so that you can get the feel for both. This will also help you become familiar with your own car’s lock system.
You may find that doesn’t work on your car door because they had a different lock installed than what was originally put in with the vehicle. For example, some vehicles use fixed bolts; others use cylinder locks, and still others have keyless entry. A professional locksmith can help you with any of these methods if you don’t have one available at home or if they did not work for you when trying them alone on your own car door lock.