Opening a car trunk with a screwdriver might seem like a skill reserved for the realm of locksmiths or car thieves, but there are legitimate and lawful reasons why you might need to do so.
Whether you’ve accidentally locked your keys inside the trunk, lost your trunk key, or are dealing with a malfunctioning trunk lock, knowing how to access it with a screwdriver can save you time, money, and the frustration of being locked out of your own vehicle.
While it’s important to emphasize that this knowledge should only be used responsibly and ethically, having this skill in your automotive toolkit can be a lifesaver in certain situations. In this article, we will guide you through the steps on how to open a car trunk with a screwdriver.
We’ll cover the necessary tools, precautions, and techniques to ensure you can gain access to your trunk when you need it most, all while adhering to the law and respecting the rights of vehicle owners.
The Urge to Open Car trunk with a Screwdriver
For many people, the urge to open a car trunk with a screwdriver is strong. After all, it’s an easy way to gain access without having to deal with keys or any other complex tools. But before you attempt this method, it’s important to consider the potential risks. If done improperly, you could damage your vehicle or injure yourself.
That said, there are some situations where this method is perfectly acceptable and even recommended. For instance, if you’ve lost your car keys or the trunk isn’t opening with the normal key access then this can be a viable solution.
Now that we’ve outlined the potential risks, let’s discuss how to open a car trunk with a screwdriver the right way. First, you’ll need to locate the latch that holds the trunk in place. This is usually located inside the vehicle or near the license plate. Once you have identified the latch, carefully insert your screwdriver into one of the slots and apply pressure until it clicks open.
How to Identify the Lock on Your Trunk
Once you have decided to use a screwdriver to open your car trunk, the next step is identifying the lock. This will require you to take a look at the exterior of the trunk and find where the lock mechanism is located. Generally, it’s either in the handle or near it. In most cars, it’s very simple and straightforward but there may be some variation in the positions of it depending on the make and model.
Once you have situated yourself in front of the lock, you should take a look at what kind of lock it is. It could be one of two types: a straight or curved type. A straight type will usually have a single center point where the keyhole is located, while a curved type will have two curved ends that meet in the middle.
Gather the Necessary Materials
Before attempting to open a car trunk with a screwdriver, make sure that you have all of the necessary materials. You will need a screwdriver, preferably one with a Phillips head tip. A flathead may also work, but it is not recommended as there may be too much force applied and the screw could be stripped or damaged. Additionally, having some sort of lubricant may be beneficial, as it can help make the process easier.
10 Steps How to Open a Car Trunk with a Screwdriver
1. Locate the Trunk Lock
The first step in opening a car trunk with a screwdriver is to locate the trunk lock. This is typically located near the center of the trunk lid, and it may be covered by a plastic or metal panel.
Once you have located the lock, you will need to remove any screws that are holding it in place. You may need to use a Phillips head screwdriver, depending on the type of screws that are holding the lock in place.
2. Insert Screwdriver into Lock
Once you have removed any screws from the lock, take your screwdriver and insert it into the keyhole of the lock. You may need to jiggle or twist the screwdriver slightly until it fits securely into the keyhole. Depending on the type of keyhole, you may need to use a flathead or Phillips screwdriver.
3. Turn Screwdriver Clockwise
Once your screwdriver is securely inserted into the keyhole, turn it clockwise until you hear a click or feel resistance from the lock mechanism. This indicates that you have successfully opened the lock. If you do not hear a click or feel resistance, try turning the screwdriver counterclockwise and then clockwise again. It may take several attempts to get the lock mechanism to open.
4. Pull Up on the Lock
Now that you have unlocked the trunk, pull up on the lock to open it fully. It should pop open with little effort, revealing what’s inside your car’s trunk compartment.
Once you’ve opened the trunk, make sure you take a quick look around to see what items might have been hidden inside. This could include tools for changing tires or jumpstarting your car. Additionally, it might also be a good idea to check if there are any emergency kits in the trunk in case of an accident or roadside assistance needs.
5. Open Trunk Lid
With your car’s trunk now unlocked, you can open its lid by pulling up on its handle or pushing down on its latch release button (if applicable). Doing so will reveal whatever items are stored inside your car’s trunk compartment. Depending on the model and make of your car, it may be necessary to use a key or press down on the trunk lever in order to open its lid.
6. Inspect Contents of the Trunk
Now that you have opened your car’s trunk compartment, inspect its contents for anything valuable or important that may be stored inside, such as tools, spare parts, documents, or other items that may be useful to you later on down the road. If nothing of value is found in your car’s trunk compartment, then proceed to step 7 below!
7. Close & Re-Lock Trunk Compartment
If no valuables were found inside your car’s trunk compartment then close and re-lock it before proceeding with any further steps! To do so simply push down on its handle or press down on its latch release button (if applicable) and turn your screwdriver counterclockwise until you hear a click indicating that it has been securely locked once again!
8. Clean Up Any Mess Created During the Opening Process
Before moving on to any other steps make sure to clean up any mess created during this process such as pieces of plastic or metal shavings left behind after removing screws from the lock mechanism! Doing so will help ensure no one else can access your vehicle without permission!
9. Test Lock Mechanism After Cleanup
To make sure everything is working properly after cleaning up any mess created during this process test out your vehicle’s lock mechanism one last time by inserting and turning your screwdriver clockwise until you hear a click indicating that it has been securely locked once again!
10. Return Screws To Their Original Position
Finally, return all screws back to their original position in order to ensure they don’t get lost while also helping prevent anyone else from accessing your vehicle without permission! Be sure to store the screwdriver in a safe and secure location so it’s always available if you ever need it.
Things to Consider When Opening a Car Trunk a Screwdriver
Before attempting to open a car trunk with a screwdriver, there are certain considerations that should be taken into account.
Firstly, it is important to ensure that the lock has been unlocked prior to attempting to use a screwdriver on the car. It is also important to make sure that the correct sized screwdriver is being used. The wrong size could cause damage to the trunk lock, leading to costly repairs.
Also, it is important to make sure that the car trunk is not being opened in a public area as this could be seen as suspicious behavior by anyone who may witness the action. Additionally, using a screwdriver on a car can be dangerous and should only be done with caution. It is recommended that safety goggles and gloves be worn while doing so.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not try to pick the lock with a screwdriver. This will only damage or break the lock, and make it much more difficult to open the trunk.
- Make sure you are using a flathead screwdriver that is not too big for the keyhole. Using too large of a screwdriver can also result in damaging or breaking the lock.
- If the lock is rusty, use a spray lubricant such as WD-40 before attempting to open it. This will help make sure that the screwdriver does not get stuck in the keyhole.
- Do not try to pry open the trunk with a screwdriver, as this could also damage or break the lock.
- Make sure you are careful when inserting the screwdriver in the lock, as to not scratch or damage the paint.
- If your car is new and has a newer model of electronic locks, do not attempt to open it with a screwdriver. It should be opened with an authorized key fob instead.
Conclusion
Making sure your car trunk is secured and that you are able to get access to its content quickly if ever needed is critical for any car owner. Having the knowledge of how to open a car trunk with a screwdriver can potentially save you time and money in such situations. Hopefully, this article has been helpful in guiding you through this process and making sure you know all the necessary steps.
Knowing how to open a car trunk with a screwdiver could come in quite handy one day so it’s best to remember these tips! If you ever find yourself being locked out of your trunk, having a few tools on hand such as a flathead or Phillips head screwdriver will always be useful. Just make sure not to damage the inner workings of your car, as replacing parts can be expensive.
