Cars are a blessing in many ways. From being a convenient source of transport to the added features, vehicles have had a great impact on human life. Moreover, technology made room for many functions accessible via a few taps on the screen or through voice commands. However, there are some evergreen issues which might require you to put in some extra yards. For instance, losing car keys or damaging them.
This can be a hassle in the event of an urgency. In such scenarios, you can tackle the situation promptly if you know how to hotwire a car. That said, the method should only be used on your vehicle in the event of an emergency. We have compiled a step-by-step guide to teach you how to hotwire a car and get out of this unwanted situation.
What is Hotwiring?
Hotwiring is the process of starting a car’s engine without a key. The need for hotwiring usually arises in the event of lost car keys. Additionally, hotwiring can also come in handy if the keys are damaged and are no longer operational.
That said, hotwiring usually works on older models and can be tough to implement on modern vehicles. New car models come equipped with advanced computerised locking and unlocking systems which are accessible by smart cards or through mobile apps.
The advanced mechanism makes it difficult to hotwire cars as many sections of the car are shut down by the smart system. This is why it is important to know if your car can be hotwired or if you may end up causing more damage than good.
How to Hotwire a Car
The evolution of car keys has seen the introduction of smart cards and mobile apps replace traditional keys. However, if you lose any of these sources, your options are limited – particularly if it happens in the event of an urgency.
Hotwiring can provide you with the ease to start your car without waiting for a mechanic. It is important to keep in mind that hotwiring must only be done on a vehicle you own or have the owner’s discretion to do it. Carrying out any such practice on a vehicle you have no authority over can land you in conflict with the law – resulting in hefty fines and imprisonment.
Let’s now go through a step-by-step guide on how to hotwire a car and be prepared for unprecedented events such as lost keys.
STEP 1 – USE A SCREWDRIVER
You can rather easily start the vehicle if you know how to hotwire a car with a screwdriver. Take a slotted screwdriver and place it into the keyhole of the ignition system. Turn the screwdriver like you turn the key inside the ignition to start the vehicle.
Check and see if the screwdriver moves smoothly and if the vehicle engine turns on. This method might work on some vehicles, particularly old models. However, for other sophisticated models, you will need to take other steps.
STEP 2 – REMOVE THE SCREWS
If the screwdriver method does not work, you can use the tool to remove the screws on the steering column cover. The screws are conveniently located on both sides of the steering column. Remove the screws to gain access to the access panels. Then, carefully remove the access panels and you will come across the ignition system’s wiring.
STEP 3 – IDENTIFY THE WIRES
Once you gain access to the wiring system, you will see several wiring combinations. Every wiring has a different set of colours. One combination is for car windshield wiper blades, another for lights and one for ignition and battery.
The bundle connected to the ignition system, battery and motor is what you should be looking for. Figure out the wire connected to the battery and the one connected to the ignition system. The battery wire usually comes in red but there is no universal rule.
Go through your car’s manual or check the vehicle’s model online to make a better call.
STEP 4 – TWIST THE WIRES TOGETHER
Once the battery and ignition wires are identified, cut some insulation from each end. Carefully twist the wires together using your hands and fingers or use pliers if need be. When done correctly, this should turn on the engine lights, ignition and radio.
STEP 5 – LOCATE THE MOTOR WIRE
The next step is to locate the motor wire. It’s the wire connecting to the car’s motor. Once identified, cut off some insulation from the wired end. Carefully, touch the end of the motor wire with the end of the other two twisted wires.
You don’t need to twist this one, rather just touch it. When done correctly, this should start your car’s engine.
STEP 6 – COVER THE WIRE
Tie the wire ends together with electric tape. This keeps the engine running and also prevents direct contact of wire with humans or any metal stuff. This step is also necessary for learning how to hotwire a car as this ensures safety.
This should allow you to drive your vehicle. However, it is important to note that different types of steering wheels come with lock features. Even after you’ve hotwired a car, you may not be able to do much with a vehicle rather than drive on a straight path.
Besides the aforementioned method, you can also use the drilling method to hotwire a car. The process involves drilling a hole in the keyhole. The hole should be the size of the key which enters the keyhole.
Drilling helps you get rid of the locking pins. Once you reach the right length, you can use a screwdriver to turn the ignition and start the vehicle.
This brings us to the end of our guide on how to hotwire a car in an emergency. Losing keys can be a hassle particularly if there’s an urgency. Hotwiring can be a viable option in such situations. However, you would need to take your car to a mechanic to fix the damage during hotwiring. If you have time to spare, it is better to call professionals to fix the issue.
Besides lost car keys, check out these other common car problems and learn about the way to fix them. That said, modern vehicles come with advanced ignition systems and advanced features which can make life a lot easier. Browse through these used cars for sale in the UAE and select from a wide variety of modern vehicles listed.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog car fixing processes and more.
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