So, you’ve locked yourself out of the car and forgot the keys inside. Huh, rookie mistake; but we’ve all been there more or less. It’s okay. To err is human — right?
To be honest this sort of mistake isn’t common nowadays as most new models in the market come with push-start technology. And the newer models of Jeep Cherokee aren’t any different. People also use key fobs, which make locking yourself out almost impossible.
But maybe you’ve still managed to do it anyway, and now you need to know how to unlock Jeep Cherokee with keys inside badly. You might even be wondering is there anything you could do here other than tearing that lock apart!
Fortunately, there are quite a few ways to unlock your Jeep Cherokee without the keys and I’m here to help you with those. So, stop castigating yourself and start reading.
Some Conventional Ways to Unlock Your Cherokee Without Keys
I mention some conventional ways first because there are also quite a few unorthodox ways to unlock your Cherokee’s door. And these ways aren’t always guaranteed to work. It might be a matter of luck or extreme patience if you want any of them to succeed.
So, let’s keep them as our last resort and focus on some conventional ways first.
- Soft Top Access
- Hiring a Locksmith
- Uconnect App
- Spare Key
Soft Top Access
If your Cherokee comes with a soft top, you’re very lucky. Your top should have some sort of access or zipped window somewhere in the seams.
Patiently search for any opening you can find. Once you’ve found it, reach inside and unlock the door. Also, try not to damage the top during this process.
Hiring a Locksmith
Okay, sorry for pointing out the obvious but it’s the safest and cleanest way if you can manage to hire one. Hiring a locksmith shouldn’t cost that much.
Also, the money you pay him will be worth it anyway as most other ways of breaking into the vehicle might cause damage to it or feel extremely tedious.
Uconnect App
All the newer versions of Jeep are compatible with Uconnect. If you don’t know what it is, Uconnect is a vehicle platform published as an app to connect your mobile device with your vehicle.
Uconnect is integrated into Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Fiat, and many other brands. If you’ve got internet access, download the app on your phone and try to connect it with your vehicle.
If your Cherokee is compatible with the app, you should be able to unlock the door from your phone and you start your jeep without a key .
Spare Key
This is actually more of advice rather than a solution. If you’ve kept a spare key somewhere, then good for you. It’ll save you a lot of unnecessary hassle in times like this.
If you haven’t already, get one. You can make a spare key for yourself by a locksmith, or you can get one directly from your dealer.
Some Unconventional Ways to Unlock Your Cherokee Without Keys
If the Uconnect fails and there is no way to get a locksmith, then these ways might be your last resort. Although these ways of unlocking the door are unorthodox, in case of an emergency, they’re your best hope. Let’s take a look.
- Screwdriver and Clothes Hanger
- Slim Jim Tool
- Access Through Trunk
- Break the Master Lock
- Break the Window
Screwdriver and Clothes Hanger
I should mention beforehand that this way will require a good amount of strength and patience. For this to work, you’ll need a flathead screwdriver and a cloth hanger or something similarly hook-shaped.
The trick is to pry the door open to make a small opening. Once you’ve opened the door enough, put something in between to keep the gap open. Now enter the hanger or hook-like structure inside and unlock the door with it.
Slim Jim Tool
In dire situations like these, a set of Slim Jim shines the most. The tool’s work process is similar to the screwdriver process but less menacing.
Instead of the screwdriver, you use an inflatable bladder to pry the door open. Insert the thin bladder between the door jam and pump it.
Once you’ve achieved the gap, use the rod that comes with the tool to reach the lock. Everybody should keep a Slim Jim tool near reach as it’s safer and it won’t scratch your car.
Access Through Trunk
If you can’t manage to reach the door lock with your Slim Jim tool, you might be able to get access through the trunk. It’s a very tedious process that’ll require a lot of patience.
Remove the license plate cover from the bottom part of the trunk, and you should get a small opening. Use your Slim Jim tool to reach the trunk latch from there. This process might take a lot of trying.
Break the Master Lock
If everything else fails and you’re in an emergency, then breaking the lock might be one of your only two options. We’ll talk about the other option next.
Get something stout like a hammer or crowbar and keep hitting the door lock until it detaches. You don’t have to go crazy with the hitting, as too much force will damage the surrounding area.
Put mild force in each hit and try your utmost to land every one of them on the lock. Once the lock is detached, you can easily access the inside of your car.
Breaking the lock will leave your car vulnerable to being stolen. So, make sure you fix the lock as soon as possible.
Break the Window
When everything else has failed, and you’re not feeling confident enough about breaking the lock without putting massive dents on your Cherokee, try breaking the window.
You can use a rock, hammer, or anything robust to break the window. After the window is broken, you’ll be able to access the car lock from outside.
Breaking the window is a really dangerous process as the broken glass pieces can cause serious injury. Once you’ve unlocked the car, make sure you get rid of all the broken pieces of glass from the car’s interior. Also, make sure to fix the window as soon as possible.
Tips to Prevent Locking Yourself Out of Your Car
Although there are various ways to break into your car without keys, locking yourself out is never a desirable situation. And you’ve seen how menacing some of these processes can be.
Here are some tips for you to prevent this sort of mistake from happening in the future.
- Make a spare key and keep it within reach. You can keep the key in your wallet, as you carry your wallet with you everywhere.
- Another convenient way to always keep your spare key with you is to use a phone case cum key chain. The design might feel a bit extra, but if you find yourself locked out of the car often, then this product was designed especially for you.
- Use key fobs, as it won’t let you lock the door unless the fob is out of the car. But always make sure that the fob battery isn’t drained completely.
- Keep a Slim Jim tool at your home. You might never know when it’ll be handy.
- Keep in touch with a locksmith you trust so you can contact him/her whenever necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use Uconnect?
Uconnect requires a monthly subscription fee but is paying for its service really worth it? I believe it is. Uconnect gets you out of clutch situations like locking yourself out of your car just like that.
It also offers you services like an emergency 911 call, remote start, navigation assistance, vehicle finder, and many more. With Uconnect the connection you’ll make with your vehicle is unparalleled.
Why did my car door get locked with the fob still inside?
This can happen when your fob battery is almost or completely drained. Sometimes it might seem that the fob has enough battery, but in reality, it isn’t enough. So, replace your fob’s battery on a regular basis.
Conclusion
Locking yourself out of your Cherokee with the keys still inside can be a Kafkaesque experience, especially if you’re in a hurry to go somewhere. I hope this article helped you learn how to unlock Jeep Cherokee with keys inside.
I also hope that you don’t have to go for the extreme measures stated in this article to get yourself out of the situation. But if you have no other ways, make sure you prioritize your safety.