Car Radio Release Keys

I recently had a need to remove the radio/CD module in my Saab 9-3 in order to get at some wiring behind the dash. My first thought was visit the nearest well known car accessories store - the one that keeps all the bits you might need at times like this. They did of course stock them, however, I was utterly shocked to see the price tag: a penny under five quid!!! I walked out on principal. Instead I found these, at a quarter of the cost and delivered promptly to my house too. They're exactly the same as I saw on the shelf and they worked for me first time and without a hitch. What more could one ask? I know these look like bits of coat hanger but actually the tips are specially ridged, and the wire is stiffer, so I recommend you buy these instead of raiding your wardrobe and potentially damaging your audio chassis with a homemade job. Just locate the holes at each side of your radio then insert these firmly until you feel a click. This disengages the sprung retaining clips allowing the unit to slide out. Occasionally (if the radio is a bit stuck, as it was in the Ford Ka I recently fiddled with) it might require some sideways leverage (outwards) on the ends of the keys in order to hold the radio firmly while you pull it free. One tip - before you order, check your radio really does have two holes. Not all do, especially modern cars, and you might need a different release tool for your particular vehicle.

A very simple tool - BUT - a most effective one. It enabled me to get the car radio out of it's mounting within seconds to get the radio ID number so that I could then obtain the "reset" code. Minutes later the radio was working again. All in all a simple but great little gadget pair. Not something I will use often but when I do need it it will again be very useful. The keys arrived next day so the service was good as very. So, ten out of ten on this item.

Perfect

Just used these to remove my stereo from my year 2000 ford fiesta and seemed to work a treat. They were a little hard to get back out once the stereo was back in the dashboard again - they wanted to pull the stereo out again but by pushing them outwards (rather than the inwards push used to remove the stereo) and wiggling up and down they did eventually come out. Not sure how many uses they will last (the 4 star rating is for the iffy manufactured tips) but they did the trick this time - found out I need a couple of ISO and DIN adapters to do what i wanted to my stereo so i will trying them out again soon - maybe i would have rated a 5 if I had not been cheap and spent more than a quid! P.S. They are not quite as pictured as the top arch is much more triangular but will only bother picky people as they still do their function!!

Good tools to have

These were bought to remove a stereo from an older chrysler car (although they will fit a wide range of stereos with the right holes), they work well once you get used to them. It took a while to find the right way to insert them as you have to push them quite hard, we were worried it may damage something, but once they were locked in they removed the stereo with ease. Great product, works well.

Product worked perfectly came 2 days after said it would

I've seen some negative reviews on this product and wasn't sure whether to buy it or not. However it was very cheap so I decided to give it a go. The item arrived well before the estimated date and when I used them in my car radio, they worked first time with no problems. They just slot in and when you pull them out, the radio comes with them. I have seen some people say they had trouble removing them from the radio afterwards but I didn't seem to have that problem either. Definitely worth the money, especially if it is for a one off use.