Opening car locks with Lishi 2-in-1 lockpick and more! (2025 Update)

Opening an automotive lock with a Lishi 2-in-1 lockpick: Complete professional guide

In this guide for the Lishi 2-in-1 lockpick and decoder, I will show you what this powerful tool is capable of. With this auto lockpick, you can open any car lock within 2 minutes.

Lishi has created various 2-in-1 decoders for different brands, such as Mercedes, Volkswagen, Renault, and many more. For a detailed overview of the different Lishi tools, you can check at the bottom of this page.

We sell the various types of Lishi lockpicks starting from €34.95.

I will explain how to unlock cars with the Lishi 2-in-1 lockpick. Additionally, I will show you how to decode a car lock with the Lishi tool to create a new key.

In this guide, I will specifically focus on the HU66 Lishi 2-in-1 lockpick and decoder.

The HU66 is specially designed for VAG locks (Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, and Skoda). This is one of the most important types of locks to be able to open.

Unlike other locks, VAG has three different generations of the HU66 lock. Two different 2-in-1 lockpick decoders are used for this. There are also various 2015 Plus VAG locks with the HU162 keyhole.

Now that we know this, we will cover the technique you need to recognize the correct lock and find the correct lockpick for it. After that, I will explain how to use these lockpicks.

Identify HU66 generation 1, 2, and 3 locks

It is important to understand the different generations of HU66 locks and what to do with these locks.

Below we depict the keyholes with the different generation locks. Furthermore, we briefly explain which characteristics you can best use to recognize the locks.

Horizontal keyhole where the plate protrudes from the housing by about 3 to 4 mm.

Horizontal keyhole with the same profile as generation 1, but with three plates on the side. For this, there are two notches on one side and another on the other side of the profile. The keyhole still protrudes, but is covered here by a slanted edge.

This generation has no less than four lateral notches, two of which are located at the top of the profile and two at the bottom. This lock also has a horizontal keyhole. This keyhole protrudes just like generation 1 from the keyhole. Unlike generation 2, this is not covered by a slanted edge. The keyhole protrudes 1.25mm from the housing.

The generation 3 lock is much larger and has a different shape than the generation 1 & 2 locks. This makes it easy to distinguish the locks. The generation 3 lock is the only VAG HU66 lock that can be easily recognized by its appearance.

VAG locks are constructed like plate cylinder locks from plates. This is done in two different ways, as follows:

1. Generation 1 locks have one plate above and one plate below
2. Generation 2 & 3 locks have two plates above and two plates below

Since we can easily recognize the generation 3 lock by appearance, we only need to distinguish between generation 1 & 2.

To do this, we will proceed as follows:

1. Insert the 2-in-1 lockpick fully into the lock
2. Move the lifter to position 1 and look for the spring
3. (assuming the plate is at the bottom) move the lifter to position 2
4. If this plate is also at the bottom, then it has two plates below and thus also two plates above. This way you know it is a generation 2 or 3 lock.

The generation 3 lock can be recognized by appearance, but the difference between generation 1 & 2 can best be found with the lockpick.

What is the difference between a “Single lifter” and a “Twin lifter” HU66 2-in-1 lockpick and decoder?

The Single lifter pick is the best tool for generation 1 & 2 locks. It can also open the generation 3 lock, but will struggle to decode it. Decoding is necessary for making a new key.

The Twin lifter is designed for generation 3 locks, allowing you to decode this generation accurately. It is also capable of opening and decoding generation 1 & 2 locks.

There is a significant difference in use between the Single & Twin lifter. The Single lifter decodes in the opposite direction of how you picked the lock. The Twin lifter decodes in the same direction as how you picked the lock.

Lishi HU66 V3 – Single Lifter

Best for: VAG Gen 1 & 2

Brands: VW, Audi, Seat, Skoda

€38.95

Lishi HU162T(10)

Best for: VAG 2015+ Gen 3

Brands: Modern VAG vehicles

€49.95

Lishi HU162T(8)

Best for: VAG alternative system

Brands: Specific VAG models

€40.95

Open the car lock with the Lishi 2-in-1 tool

Step-by-step guide

Estimated time: 2-5 minutes

Step 1: Preparation

Clean the keyhole with CRC Electronic Cleaner and apply silicone spray for optimal performance.

Step 2: Tool insertion

Place the lifter arm in a protected position (down and back) and carefully insert the tool without force.

Step 3: Apply tension

Open the tension arm and apply light rotating pressure. Test both clockwise and counterclockwise.

Step 4: Picking wafers

Start at the deepest cut position and feel for binding. Pick binding wafers, skip freely moving wafers.

The car lock I will discuss here is the VAG generation 1 lock. The generation 1 VAG has, as we now know, the plates alternating above and below. The lock has a special lockpick process that depends on whether you want to turn clockwise or counterclockwise.

Clockwise

When the steering wheel is on the left side, you pick the lock counterclockwise. If you want to turn the lock clockwise , the lockpick process will occur in the following order:

1. Lockpick positions 1, 3, 5, and 7 in the order they bind. Look for the correct order until they are all set.

It will quickly become clear when the plates are set, as you will notice that the core of the lock (and the extension of your tension wrench) will turn a few mm.

2. Once the plates are set, you can place positions 2, 4, 6, and 8. Once this is done, the lock will be open.

Counterclockwise

Only in vehicles with the steering wheel on the right side do you apply tension clockwise. If we pick the lock counterclockwise, the above process will simply play out in reverse. This means that you:

1. First pick positions 2, 4, 6, and 8 in the order they want to bind first.
2. Then pick positions 1, 3, 5, and 7 to open the lock.

The first generation lock is best picked by applying a heavy to medium tension.

To begin, we will need to fully insert the Lishi 2-in-1 tool into the car lock. Then move the lockpick to position 1 and look for the plate in that position.

Next, you will look for the location of the plate in position 2 to ensure it is a generation 1 lock.

If the plates are found consecutively in positions 1 and 2, either 1 below and 2 below or 1 above and 2 above, then it is a generation 2 lock.

Once it is confirmed that it is a generation 1 VAG car lock, you can bring the lockpick to position 1. The Lishi tool must be fully in the lock to proceed.

Apply strong to medium tension to the lock.

Now move the lockpick along positions 1, 3, 5, and 7. With the least effort, you can tap the plates to feel which plate wants to bind first.

If you notice that the plate moves, you can leave it alone. On the other hand, if you notice that the plate is stuck, then this is likely the first plate that needs to be set. This is also known as the binding plate.

Each time you find a binding plate, you can use the lockpick to move the plate about 1mm up or down. If the plate remains stuck under tension, you can move it another millimeter until you notice it is set in position.

You will notice that the plate is set because there is a small click in the lock that is perceptible.

Once the first plate is brought to the correct position, you will notice that another plate gets stuck. Then bring this plate to the correct position and repeat this process for the remaining plates.

Once the plates in positions 1, 3, 5, and 7 are set, you have completed the first set. You will notice that the core will turn a few millimeters. This confirms that the plates have been lockpicked on one side of the car lock.

After we have placed the first four plates in the correct position, we can focus our attention on the other four plates. Let’s take a look at the plates in positions 2, 4, 6, and 8.

While maintaining half firm tension on the lock, go through the plates and feel which plate offers the most resistance. Go through the binding plates until all plates are placed.

The lock should now be open.

Decoding the car lock with the Lishi 2-in-1 tool

Once the lock is turned open, we hold the lock in that position with our arm to apply tension.

Depending on which generation of the HU66 Lishi 2-in-1 tool you have, you will need to decode the lock in the same direction or the opposite direction.

If you have the new generation HU66 Lishi (version 3), then you decode it in the same direction as you picked it.

Here we explain how to use the single lifter of the old generation HU66 Lishi lockpicks. This is practically the same as the new generation, but you will need to decode the lock in the opposite direction.

If you have picked the plate at the bottom down in position 1, then you can decode the position by lifting the lockpick up in this position. This is therefore the opposite direction from how you picked it.

Gently push the lockpick up or down in positions 1 to 8. It is important to use little force. The indicator will stop at the horizontal 1, 2, 3, or 4 line.

If it reaches the horizontal 1 line, you can note a 1. If it only reaches the 3 line, you note a 3.

You try to decode each position and then note what you have decoded. Once all positions are decoded, you can enter this into a key machine and create a new key.

Professional decoding tips

• Work systematically: Always start at position 1 and work through to position 8
• Exact readings: Record depths of the grid scale for 100% accuracy
• Double-check: Verify each reading twice for certainty
• Direct key production: With the decoded values, you can directly produce a working key

VAG generation 2 car lock picking

As we know, the only difference between generation 1 and generation 2 locks is the arrangement of the plates. The generation 1 lock has one plate above and then one plate below. The generation 2 lock, on the other hand, always has two plates above and two plates below.

The different arrangement changes the lock picking process as we have just learned.

Clockwise

1. If we are picking the lock clockwise, we must first pick positions 1, 5, 8, and 4 in the order they want to bind.
2. Once these are placed in the correct position, the core will turn about 2mm
3. Then you can pick positions 2, 6, 7, and 3 in the order they bind
4. The lock will now open.

Counterclockwise

If you pick the car lock counterclockwise, you simply reverse the above process.

1. Pick positions 2, 6, 7, and 3 first until they are all placed
2. Then pick positions 1, 5, 8, and 4 in the order they need to be placed.
3. The lock will now open

If you want to decode this lock with the single lifter of the Lishi 2-in-1 HU66, you will need to do it in the opposite direction from how you used lock picking.

With the new tool, decoding can simply be done in the same direction as you did with lock picking.

Write down what you read during decoding for yourself, so you can later machine-make a key.

There is a huge demand for the Lishi tools. It is no coincidence that the average time to open a car lock with these is only 2 minutes. After practicing a few times, you will be able to do it even faster!

For this reason, we are working to expand our Lishi range as much as possible. Do you have a suggestion? Then feel free to contact me!

You can order the Lishi lockpicks online at LockpickWebwinkel.nl.

Alternative car opening tools for professionals

Jiggler Keys Large Set

Application: Older vehicles

Effective on: Honda, Nissan, Mazda

€24.95

Car Door Pump Wedge Set

Application: Damage-free access

Includes: 3 air wedges + tools

€7.99

Car Door Opening Set Economy

Application: Complete starter set

Includes: All basic tools

€29.99

These are our Lishi lockpicks for cars

The list below provides a detailed overview of the cars that our Lishi lockpicks can unlock:

Lishi Tools for residential (door) locks

Recently, Lishi has focused not only on the automotive market but also on the residential market. Although the offering for European locks is still small, there are already some lockpicks and decoders available for this purpose. In Europe, you can find locks from Yale and Tesa. Discuss with your locksmith which lock your home has. Below you will find the range of Lishi lockpicks that we offer

Frequently asked questions about Lishi lockpicks