Getting into a car in GTA 5 is straightforward: you simply walk up to a vehicle and press the enter vehicle button. On a PlayStation controller, this is the Triangle button (△); on an Xbox controller, it's the Y button; and on PC, it's the F key by default. The game will display an on-screen prompt near the car door to remind you of the correct button for your platform. This action is fundamental to nearly everything you do in the game, from starting missions to evading the police.
Sometimes, the car might be locked, especially if it's owned by an NPC (Non-Player Character). If the door is locked, your character will try the handle but won't be able to get in. In this case, you have a couple of options. You can smash the window by hitting it with your fist or a weapon (aim at the window and press the attack button), then press the enter button again to get in. Alternatively, you can simply find another car. For high-end sports cars that are often locked, using a weapon to break the window is the quickest method.
If you're playing in First-Person Mode, introduced in the enhanced versions of the game, the animation is more detailed. Your character will reach for the handle and open the door, providing a more immersive experience. The control input, however, remains exactly the same. This consistency across perspectives makes the action easy to remember.
It's also worth noting that you can enter specific seats. If you approach the passenger side door or a rear door, you will get into that corresponding seat. This is useful for multi-passenger vehicles when you're playing with friends online or for specific role-playing scenarios. Mastering this basic interaction is your first step to dominating the streets of Los Santos.
