What Can Go Wrong If You Try To Pick Your Car's Lock?

What should you do if you lock yourself out of your car? If you're in a hurry, the answer is simple: call a professional locksmith. Modern cars are far more complex than vehicles from even a few decades ago, and that higher complexity includes more sophisticated security systems. Not only does this make it much harder to enter a locked car, but it also greatly increases the chance of causing damage.

Professional automotive locksmiths use various commercial tools and sophisticated techniques to get into your car without causing additional damage. If you're still thinking about trying to handle this tough job on you're here, here are three ways you may cause far more damage by taking a do-it-yourself approach. 

1. Paint Damage

Many techniques for entering a locked vehicle involve wedging the door open or sliding a piece of metal near the lock on the window. When performed by a professional, these methods are generally relatively safe and unlikely to cause damage. Unfortunately, the same techniques can be much more dangerous when performed by amateurs.

If you aren't extremely careful when unlocking your car this way, you will likely scratch the paint near your door or window trim. Deep scratches can cost thousands of dollars to repair, turning the minor nuisance of a locked door into an incredibly expensive repair. Relying on a professional locksmith will allow you to avoid costly and ugly cosmetic damage and quickly get back into your car.

2. Broken or Loosened Trim

Wedges and similar tools work by pulling your door open just enough to make the lock accessible. Air wedges are the safest method, but most do-it-yourselfers won't have one of these tools readily available. Other tools, including solid wedges designed to open car doors, can potentially apply too much force to the trim around the door.

Using these tools inappropriately can break or loosen the trim. While replacing trim on a door is usually less expensive than repairing paint damage, it can still be frustrating. In a worst-case scenario, you might break the trim off completely or damage the clips, leaving an unsightly exposed area or your door or even creating a gap where water can enter your car.

3. Tripped Immobilizers

Most cars with security systems include immobilizers to prevent thieves from starting the car after a break-in. Trying too hard to get into your car or using an incorrect lockpicking technique may trigger the alarm, ultimately tripping the immobilizer. Most vehicles have special techniques for disabling the immobilizer once you're inside, but these aren't always straightforward.

Professional automotive locksmiths are familiar with a wide range of vehicle makes and models and understand how to enter them safely without triggering the alarm. The small cost of hiring a professional will help you not only avoid damage but also save you from the embarrassment of triggering your alarm or tripping your car's immobilizer.

Contact a local automotive locksmith to learn more.