Getting stuck in the trunk of a car can mean one of two reasons. Either you got in there accidentally or were put in there for a reason, possibly crime-related. Such incidents are common and with car-jacking, which is a real and present threat that motorists face each and every day. Knowing what to do can mean the difference between life and death.
If you have been stuck in the trunk accidentally, then shouting for help and banging on the trunk cover would be a good idea but a private garage it would be very much useless. Here are some tips on how to get out of this sticky situation.
First thing to do is to stay calm. Many US and European cars have release levers that are designed for such accidental closures of the trunk. These are usually brightly colored handles (bright yellow or orange) that you pull to open the mechanism of the trunk. If no emergency latch can be found, try manipulating the levers connected to the keyhole, which would likely be connected to the locking mechanism.
Use lights. If you have a lighter or match in your pocket, you can use it as a light source, but only as a last resort. The fuel tanks of most cars are either under the trunk or under the rear passenger seats. So the best way to illuminate the innards of a trunk would be to use a flashlight. But if you have to use a match or lighter, try to take a whiff of the air first, making sure there are no petrol or diesel fumes in the compartment.
If the vehicle is running in the parking lot or some open space with you inside, try to feel for the rear lighting fixtures that are accessible through the trunk. You’ll have to peel away the carpet and underlay to reveal the housing itself. You can easily remove them with a twist of the base of the light, unlocking the bulb and pulling it out.
Punch a hole through the lighting fixtures. If you need air, you can use any metallic tool or pry bar from the tool box to punch a hole through the lens of the reverse or brake light. Taking out the lights to the rear of the car can help call attention in the event of a car jacking, getting you to safety faster.
Try pushing the seats. Some vehicles have folding rear seats, which helps expand trunk space when carrying long items. Try kicking the rear seats forward and out of the way so you can get into the cab and out through the vehicle’s door. Some cars might not have folding seats, but still don’t have sheet metal separating trunk and cabin. You could still try kicking in the seats, if these will give in.
Use brute force. As last resort, use the tire jack and any blunt tool you can find to prop up against the trunk lid. Position it as near as possible to the lock and jack it up. The construction of the rear trunk is quite robust so you may have to exert some effort for this to work.
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